Genotoxicity Assessment and Comparison of Toxicity Mechanisms of Anthraquinone Dyes

Natural dyes are researched as sustainable alternative for currently used synthetic dyes, which of some are toxic causing environmental and human health risks. Bloodred webcap is a mushroom, which grows in Finland, and it produces several anthraquinone dyes, which are suitable for textile dyeing. However, little is known about the toxicity of these novel biocolourants, and their safety must be confirmed until larger scale use. Therefore, in this project, genotoxicity and toxicity mechanisms of natural anthraquinone dyes will be assessed. Genotoxicity will be studied in cultured human cells as well as in zebrafish embryos. Transcriptomics, bioinfromatics and dose-response response modelling will be used to study mechanisms of toxicity. The results of this project will further the development of environmentally sound biocolourants.