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PFOA accumulation in the leaves of basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) and its effects on plant growth, oxidative status, and photosynthetic performance
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Researchers examined how basil plants absorb and accumulate PFOA (a persistent fluorinated pollutant) and found that despite measurable uptake in leaves, the plants showed no significant growth impairment, oxidative damage, or reduced photosynthesis. This apparent tolerance may be linked to activation of detoxification pathways involving glutathione S-transferase enzymes.
Despite of the absorption and accumulation of discrete amount of PFOA in the basil plants, the analysed parameters at biometric, physiological and biochemical level in the leaves did not reveal any damage effect, possibly due to the activation of a detoxification pathway likely involving GST.
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Physiological and biochemical responses of sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) to polyethylene micro- and nanoplastics exposure
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Scientists exposed basil plants to tiny plastic particles (micro- and nanoplastics) and found the plastics could travel up into the plant's stems and leaves, stunting root growth and causing cell damage and stress. This matters because basil is a common food crop, and this research suggests that plastic pollution in soil could work its way into the plants we eat—raising questions about how much of these plastics might end up on our plates, though more research is needed to understand the risks to human health.
Temporal and SizeDependent Uptake of Micro- and NanoPlastics in an Edible Plant
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Scientists grew basil plants in water containing tiny plastic particles (micro- and nanoplastics) to see if the plants would absorb them, and they did, with plastics building up in the roots and, in smaller amounts, moving up into the leaves people might eat. The smallest plastic particles were absorbed and moved through the plant most easily, and the plastics also appeared to carry along other chemicals from the water, hinting that produce grown in plastic-contaminated water or soil could be a route for these particles and hitchhiking chemicals to enter our food.
Is there any influence of microplastics in the soil on the qualitative characteristics of basil (Ocimum basilicum)?
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Microplastics in soil made basil plants less healthy, cutting their antioxidant power and vitamin C content by roughly a third, meaning the basil you eat could be less nutritious if it's grown in plastic-contaminated soil. The good news: adding a beneficial fungus (Trichoderma) to the soil helped protect the plants and preserved their nutrient levels, hinting at a possible way to counteract microplastic pollution in agriculture.
Uptake characteristics and plant hormone metabolic disruption of bisphenol A in pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) roots under soil exposure
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Researchers investigated how bisphenol A (BPA) in contaminated soil is absorbed by pepper plant roots, finding that uptake disrupts plant hormone metabolism and impairs growth in ways that vary depending on soil type, raising concerns for food safety in agricultural settings.
Dose-Dependent Effects of a Corn Starch-Based Bioplastic on Basil (Ocimum basilicum L.): Implications for Growth, Biochemical Parameters, and Nutrient Content
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Researchers tested how a corn starch-based bioplastic affects basil plants when mixed into soil at various concentrations. Higher bioplastic levels reduced plant growth and caused oxidative stress, while also changing the plants' antioxidant activity and altering nutrient uptake patterns. While bioplastics are promoted as eco-friendly alternatives to conventional plastics, this study suggests they can still stress plants and affect food crop quality when they accumulate in agricultural soil.
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