Inhibition of mitosis by surfactants.

Twenty-two ionic and nonionic surface-active agents were applied to a standardized pea root meristem test system. Mitosis was inhibited by 16 surfactants at concentrations of 0.1% v/v. Two surfactants caused a slight depression in the mitotic index; the remaining four had no recognizable effect. Several compounds were irreversibly toxic at levels of 0.1% v/v. Five of the six known biodegradable surfactants tested were toxic.