Eco/genotoxicity assessment of a modified natural dye for sustainable processes

• Grant number: 21/06369-2
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Effective date (Start): March 01, 2022
• Effective date (End): April 30, 2023
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Sanitary Engineering
• Principal Investigator: Gisela de Aragão Umbuzeiro
• Grantee: Gabriel Rampazzo Magalhães
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Tecnologia (FT). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Limeira , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Emodin is an anthraquinone of natural origin that has been shown to be toxic and mutagenic in several biological systems, possibly due to the flatness of its molecule. Mutagenic substances can lead to dysfunction and cell death in somatic cells at the individual level, while in germ cells they can trigger adverse effects at the population level, such as reduced reproduction capacity. Emodin has been successfully applied in traditional dyeing processes, however, these processes consume large volumes of water, which reach the ecosystem. Among waterless dyeing technologies, there is the SC-CO2 process and atmospheric plasma. Emodin has shown to be promising in SC-CO2 dyeing, showing good fiber fixation, while atmospheric plasma dyeing requires the presence of a vinyl group in its molecule. In collaboration with Wilson College of Textiles, North Carolina State University, United States, emodin is being chemically modified so that its molecule loses its flatness. Thus, this master's work aims to evaluate the acute toxicity, in vitro mutagenicity, and in vivo genotoxicity, in somatic cells, of chemically modified emodin so that this dye is safe for the environment and suitable for use in waterless dyeing processes. To assess the genotoxicity of the new product on germ cells, the project foresees the implementation of a protocol using the amphipod Parhyale hawaiensis.