The toxic properties of saliva of betel nut chewers on a plant test system(Allium cepa L).

Saliva of betel nut (fermented by keeping underground) chewers from Assam ( India) have been found to induce significant toxic effect on both macroscop ic and microscopic parameters in modified Allium test. The Allium bulbs wer e treated with four concentrations (0.25, 0.50, 0.75 and 1.00%) of saliva s amples collected after 2-3 minutes of betel nut chewing without tobacco (BQ ) and with tabacco (BQT). Saliva from both BQ and BQT chewer showed signifi cant inhibition of root length as compared to control. Twisted and coloured roots were also observed in the treated groups. Reduction of mitotic index (MI) was recorded more along with increase of C-mitosis, vagrant chromosom e, sticky chromosome and micronuclei formation in both the treated group.