Application of Biospeckle Optical Coherence Tomography in monitoring the effect of microplastic on plant seed germination and growth

Application of Biospeckle Optical Coherence Tomography in monitoring the effect of microplastic on plant seed germination and growth

Optical screening method to observe the biological activities of lentil (Lens culinaris) seeds quantitatively under the exposure of polyethylene microplastics (PEMPs) using ultrahigh accurate biospeckle optical coherence tomography

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Researchers used biospeckle optical coherence tomography (bOCT) to non-invasively monitor the effects of polyethylene microplastics (PEMPs) on lentil seed germination at concentrations of 10, 50, and 100 mg/L over 24 hours. They found that PEMPs significantly reduced internal seed activity as early as 6 hours into exposure — detectable only by bOCT prior to visible germination changes — demonstrating the technique's potential for early detection of microplastic effects on seed physiology.

Synergistic effects of titanium dioxide nanoparticles and microplastics on lentil seeds by a non-invasive biospeckle optical coherence tomography

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Scientists tested how tiny titanium dioxide particles (found in sunscreen and food) and microplastics affect lentil seeds using a new imaging technique. They found that smaller particles boosted seed activity at low doses, but when combined with microplastics, the effects changed depending on the mix. This matters because these same particles and microplastics are in our food chain, and understanding how they interact could help us assess potential risks to the crops we eat.

Biospeckle optical coherence tomography reveals the mitigation of the harmful effects of heavy metal zinc in combination with polyethylene microplastics in lentil seeds

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Researchers used a novel optical imaging technique to show that polyethylene microplastics alone inhibit lentil seed germination, but when combined with the heavy metal zinc, the microplastics actually reduced zinc uptake by the seedlings, partially offsetting zinc's toxicity. This unexpected interaction suggests that microplastics can alter how plants absorb co-occurring pollutants, complicating predictions of combined contamination risks in agricultural soils.

Optical innovations in microplastic analysis: a critical review of detection strategies

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Researchers reviewed the current landscape of optical detection methods for microplastics—spanning Raman and FTIR spectroscopy, SERS, FLIM, hyperspectral imaging, and AI-enhanced analysis—highlighting that while handheld and smartphone-based platforms show strong promise for field deployment, the absence of standardized protocols and interference from organic matter remain key barriers to reliable environmental monitoring.