Runglawan Sudmoon¹, Arunrat Chaveerach², Unchaleeporn Ameamsri², Penkhae Thamsenanupap^3,4, Natapol Pumipuntu^4,5, Shiou Yih Lee⁶, Ong Ghim Hock⁶, Tawatchai Tanee^3,4*

¹Faculty of Law, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand

²Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand

³Faculty of Environment and Resource Studies, Mahasarakham University, Maha Sarakham, Thailand

⁴One Health Research Unit, Mahasarakham University, Maha Sarakham, Thailand

⁵Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Mahasarakham University, Maha Sarakham, Thailand

⁶Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, INTI International University, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia

Abstract

Heavy metal contamination, notably lead (Pb), poses a threat to plants and, consequently, human health through the food chain. This study investigates Pb accumulation in rice and how it affects the rice DNA. The rice (Oryza sativa) samples were cultivated in the soil supplemented with Pb at concentrations of 0, 15, 30, 60, and 120 mg/kg. Then the samples were harvested and analyzed for Pb accumulation and DNA alterations using the PCR amplification profiles measured through genomic template stability (GTS). The results demonstrate a Pb concentration hierarchy (root > stem > leaves), with Bioconcentration Factor (BCF) and Translocation Factor (TF) rising when soil Pb contents are supplemented. For DNA alterations, observed GTS values ranged from 23.3 to 76.67%, revealed a general decline with increasing Pb. This correlation assured the influence of Pb on rice DNA stability. Our findings suggest that heavy metal concentration, particularly Pb, has a direct influence on the integrity of rice DNA. Understanding these dynamics is vital for unraveling the complexities of heavy metal-induced genetic changes in plants and their potential implications for food safety and environmental health.

Keywords: Bioconcentration Factor, DNA changes, Genomic template stability, Lead accumulation, Translocation Factor