Valutazione dell eventuale attività desmutagena indotta in piantine di Vicia faba da acidi umici derivati da composts di diversa origine

Humic acids extracted from composts of different origin were evaluated for their desmutagenic activity against the mutagen agent maleic hydrazide (MH). For this purpose, three different doses (50, 250 and 500 mg/litre) of the humic acids were allowed to interact with MH (10-5 M) by shaking for 24 h at room temperature. The seeds of Vicia faba were treated for five days with the obtained solutions in Petri dishes. The micronuclei test was used in evaluating the desmutagenic effects of the humic acids. The results showed a significant desmutagenic action of some humic acids, in particular when the highest concentration was assayed.