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Enzyme-microplastic interaction induces oxidative stress in earthworm: molecular docking and toxicity study
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Researchers exposed earthworms to polypropylene microplastics at varying concentrations and found significant negative effects on body weight, reproduction, and antioxidant enzyme activity at higher doses. Molecular modeling revealed that the microplastics bind near the active site of a key antioxidant enzyme, potentially disrupting its function. The study suggests that microplastic contamination in soil can cause oxidative stress in earthworms, with effects worsening over time and at higher concentrations.
Microplastics become a major contaminant in terrestrial ecosystem and induce a negative impact on soil fauna. The main objective of this study was to check the deleterious effects of polypropylene microplastics on exotic earthworm species Eisenia fetida. Earthworms were treated with different concentrations of polypropylene (0, 1000, 4000, 8000, and 16,000 mgkg−1) in artificial soil to know its effect on oxidative stress, biomass and reproduction rate of earthworm. Highest concentrations of polypropylene pose significant negative effects on the biomass and fecundity rate and the effect increases with treatment period. Different antioxidant enzymes (Superoxide Dismutase (SOD), Catalase (CAT), Glutathione-S-Transferase (GST) and Guiacol Peroxidase (POD) activity increase up to 14 days but inhibit the enzymatic activity at 8000 and 16,000 mgkg−1 while POD activity increases with increase in exposure time. The unit activity of different enzymes SOD, CAT and GST on 14th day at 16,000 mgkg−1 is 0.015, 0.074, and 0.097 respectively but on 28th day at similar concentration the unit activity significantly decrease 0.008, 0.058, and 0.045. Highest concentrations of polypropylene i.e. 8000 and 16,000 mgkg−1 were seems to be more relevant for enzyme-interaction with polypropylene. The unit activity of POD enzymes on 7th day at highest concentration (16,000 mgkg−1) is 0.025 and on 28th day at similar concentration the unit activity is 0.035. High concentrations of polypropylene produce oxidative stress on different antioxidant enzymes of E. fetida. Molecular docking study shows the bonding of hydrogen atoms and hydrophobic interactions of PP modulates the activity of all enzymes.
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New regulatory mechanisms of polystyrene nanoplastics on the ecological risk of zinc: Cellular oxidative injury and molecular toxicity mechanisms in soil sentinel organisms (Eisenia fetida)
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Researchers investigated how nanoplastics and zinc interact to affect earthworm cells and a key antioxidant defense enzyme. While nanoplastics alone had minimal effect, combining them with zinc dramatically increased cell death beyond what zinc caused on its own, and molecular modeling showed nanoplastics can physically bind to and potentially block the antioxidant enzyme. The findings suggest that nanoplastics may worsen the toxicity of heavy metals in soil by interfering with organisms' natural defense mechanisms.
Transcriptomic and metabolic responses of earthworms to contaminated soil with polypropylene and polyethylene microplastics at environmentally relevant concentrations
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Researchers studied how environmentally realistic concentrations of polypropylene and polyethylene microplastics affect earthworms at the molecular level. They found that both plastic types triggered oxidative stress, damaged digestive and immune systems, disrupted lipid metabolism, and altered the earthworms' ability to regulate water balance. The study suggests that even at concentrations commonly found in the environment, microplastic-contaminated soil poses measurable health risks to earthworms.
Understanding the harmful effects of polyethylene microplastics on Eisenia fetida: A toxicological evaluation
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Earthworms (Eisenia fetida) exposed to increasing concentrations of polyethylene microplastics in soil showed lower body weight, reduced reproductive output, and disrupted antioxidant defenses — with oxidative stress markers climbing nearly 1.3-fold at the highest dose. These findings confirm that microplastic pollution degrades soil ecosystem health at concentrations that could plausibly occur in contaminated agricultural land.
Biochemical responses, growth and reproduction of earthworm in low density polyethylene (LDPE)
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Researchers found that low-density polyethylene microplastics reduced earthworm body weight by up to 28% and significantly decreased cocoon and hatchling production at higher concentrations, with oxidative stress enzyme changes and molecular docking confirming biochemical disruption.
The effects of polyethylene microplastics on the growth, reproduction, metabolic enzymes, and metabolomics of earthworms Eisenia fetida
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This study exposed earthworms to polyethylene microplastics in soil for 60 days and found that even when the worms appeared physically healthy, their internal enzyme systems and metabolism were significantly disrupted. The damage included signs of neurotoxicity, oxidative stress, and reduced ability to break down harmful substances. Since earthworms are essential for soil health and crop growth, this disruption could indirectly affect the quality of food humans eat.
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