Effect of Malachite Green, Congo Red and Safranin on Cell Division in Gemmae of Allium cepa

Abstract

SOME evidence has been published that certain organic dyes induce inflammatory conditions and even give rise to carcinogenic processes. All these substances belong either to the aromatic order or to heterocyclic compounds containing aromatic rings. The reports published on the harmful effects of these dyes deal as a rule with cases of diseases caused by dyes used in factories and laboratories. The evidence given in these reports is not entirely conclusive, because in production processes the workers come into contact with initial or intermediate products which exert a toxic influence. This is particularly so because many of the intermediate products are amino-or nitro-derivatives of the aromatic order. It is, therefore, evident that in order to solve this problem, experimental investigations on dyes suspected of a toxic or carcinogenic effect are necessary.