title: In        vitro biomonitoring of the genotoxic and oxidative potentials of two commonly eaten insects in southwestern Nigeria.
abstract: In this study, the cytogenetic and oxidative effects of water soluble extracts of two commonly eaten insects, Zonocerus variegatus (Orthoptera: Pyrgomorphidae) and Oryctes boas (Solanales: Solanaceae), in southwestern Nigeria were evaluated on cultured human blood cells. The extracts were added to the cultures at various concentrations (0-2000 ppm). The chromosome aberration and micronucleus tests were used to find out the DNA and chromosomal damage potentials in vitro by aqueous insect extracts. To assess the oxidative effects of these insect extracts, total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and total oxidant status (TOS) levels were also measured. Our results indicated that these extracts did not show genotoxic effects at the tested concentrations. However, the extracts caused dose-dependent alterations in both TAC and TOS levels. Based on the findings, it was concluded that the studied insects can be consumed safely, but it is necessary to consider the cellular damages that are likely to appear depending on the oxidative stress. We also suggest that this in vitro approach for oxidative and genotoxicity assessments may be useful to compare the potential health risks of edible insects.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Atatürk University, Erzurum, Turkey.
authors.forename: Eray
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Memiş
authors.forename: Hasan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Türkez
authors.forename: Ümit
authors.initials: Ü
authors.lastname: Incekara
authors.forename: Adedoyin Davies
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Banjo
authors.forename: Bamidele Temitope
authors.initials: BT
authors.lastname: Fasunwon
authors.forename: Başak
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Toğar
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000032:analysis; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002869:Chromosome Aberrations / Q000139:chemically induced; D004247:DNA / Q000187:drug effects; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D059022:Food Safety / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D048629:Micronuclei, Chromosome-Defective / Q000139:chemically induced; D015162:Micronucleus Tests; D009153:Mutagens / Q000633:toxicity*; D009987:Orthoptera / Q000737:chemistry*; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects; D019657:Solanaceae / Q000737:chemistry*; D014020:Tissue Extracts / Q000633:toxicity*
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D009153:Mutagens; D014020:Tissue Extracts; D004247:DNA