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In Vitro Cytotoxicity and Genotoxicity Analysis of Acanthamoeba SP. In
Response to Arsenic Based On Membrane Integrity and Random Amplified
Polymorphic DNA Profile
Nur Hidayu Binti Arisman Susanto
Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Nakisah Mat Amin
Co-Supervisor: Dr. Suzana Misbah
Bachelor of Science (Biological Sciences)
School of Fundamental Science
Arsenic (As) is known to induce adverse effects on human health and ecosystem. It
existence in waterbodies and the need for an efficient bioindicator for its toxicity
assessment is indisputable. Present study was conducted to analyze toxicity effects of
As on Acanthamoeba sp., a protist functioning as water quality bioindicator. The
viability of Acanthamoeba sp. was tested by Eosin dye assay after 72 h of amoebae
exposure to different concentration of As. The inhibitory concentrations (IC); IC25,
IC50, and IC75 obtained were 21μg/L, 46μg/L, and 231μg/L, respectively. These
concentrations were used in analysis of membrane integrity and PCR-RAPD profile of
As-treated Acanthamoeba. By AO/PI staining under fluorescence microscopy, loss of
membrane integrity at varying degree according to IC used was evident. In PCR-RAPD
profile, compared to control, As-exposed amoebae produced profiles with
deletion/addition of fragments. These results highlight the sensitivity of
Acanthamoeba sp. to serve as a bioindicator for As toxicity assessment in the
environment.
315 | U M T U N D E R G R A D U A T E R E S E A R C H D A Y 2018