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Impact of starch-based bioplastic on growth and biochemical parameters of basil plants
Summary
"Eco-friendly" bioplastics used in farming (like biodegradable mulch films) may not be as harmless as marketed: this study found that basil plants grown in soil containing bioplastic residue grew smaller, had less chlorophyll and vitamin C, and showed signs of cell stress compared to plants grown in normal soil. While this research looked at plant health rather than direct human effects, it raises questions about whether bioplastics breaking down in farm soil could affect crop quality and nutrition, suggesting that switching from conventional plastics to bioplastics isn't automatically a health or environmental win without more testing.
The recent use of bioplastics in agriculture is considered an ecological choice, aimed at limiting the environmental impact of plastics, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations. However, the impact of bioplastic residues on the environment is unclear as knowledge is lacking. This is the first study investigating the effect of a starch-based bioplastic on the growth and biochemical parameters of basil. Bioplastic was experimentally prepared and added to the soil at 2.5 % (w/w), corresponding to twice the concentration of plastic mulch film residues currently found in cultivated soils, in view of the increasing agricultural use of bioplastics. Basil plants were grown without (controls) and with bioplastic addition for 35 days, under controlled experimental conditions. Compared to the control, plants exposed to bioplastic showed stunted growth (in terms of shoot fresh weight, height, and number of leaves). Significant reductions in the content of chlorophyll, protein, ascorbic acid, and glucose were also observed. Finally, the treatment caused oxidative stress, as evidenced by the increased content of malondialdehyde in the shoots. The addition of bioplastic increased the electrical conductivity and reduced the cation exchange capacity of the cultivation soil. These results suggest that bioplastic in soil may promote the onset of stressful conditions for plant growth in a similar manner to plastic. They will be complemented by further investigations to unravel the mechanisms underlying these responses, involving different doses and types of bioplastics and other crop species.