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Time-Dependent Polystyrene Nanoplastic Toxicity in Cherax quadricarinatus: Oxidative Stress, Gut Dysbiosis, and Hepatopancreatic Bioaccumulation
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Scientists exposed crayfish to nanoplastics (tiny plastic particles) for three weeks and found the plastics built up in their liver-like organ nearly 10-fold, while also causing oxidative stress, weakened immune function, and disrupted gut bacteria—all worsening the longer exposure lasted. Since crayfish and similar shellfish are commonly eaten, this raises questions about whether nanoplastic buildup in seafood could pose similar risks to people, though more research is needed to confirm effects in humans.
Polystyrene nanoplastic (PS-NP) contamination poses an emerging threat to aquaculture species, yet time-resolved assessments integrating host physiology, gut microbial ecology, and tissue bioaccumulation remain limited. Here, we evaluated the temporal effects of 100 mg/L PS-NPs (100 nm) on Cherax quadricarinatus (Von Martens, 1868) over a 3-week exposure period. Crayfish were assigned to a control group (Group A) and three treatment groups exposed for 1 (Group B), 2 (Group C), or 3 (Group D) weeks. No mortality occurred. Hepatopancreatic antioxidant enzyme activities (superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase) displayed a hormetic response (upregulation at weeks 1–2 followed by depletion at week 3), indicating oxidative stress overload. Alkaline phosphatase activity declined progressively, reflecting cumulative immunosuppression. Histological examination revealed time-dependent structural damage in the hepatopancreas: hepatic tubule enlargement, increased vacuolation, B cell hypertrophy, and cellular disorganization/lysis after three weeks. 16S rRNA sequencing revealed that PS-NPs induced time-dependent gut dysbiosis, characterized by depletion of beneficial taxa and enrichment of opportunistic pathogens. Alpha-diversity metrics (ACE, Chao1, Shannon) were significantly reduced in Group D compared to controls, confirming loss of microbial evenness and richness. Pyrolysis gas chromatography–mass spectrometry quantification demonstrated marked PS-NP bioaccumulation in the hepatopancreas, with concentrations rising from 6.94 μg/g in controls to 65.38 μg/g in Group D, a 9.4-fold increase. Collectively, prolonged PS-NP exposure is associated with oxidative stress, immune dysfunction, progressive gut dysbiosis, and substantial hepatopancreatic nanoplastic burden in C. quadricarinatus. These findings carry implications for ecological risk assessment and highlight the need for further investigation into food safety risks associated with human consumption of crayfish from PS-NP-contaminated environments.
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Researchers tested the acute effects of polystyrene nanoplastics on freshwater crayfish and found that exposure altered the composition of intestinal bacteria and disrupted oxidative stress defenses. Higher concentrations of nanoplastics led to more severe changes in gut microbial diversity and antioxidant enzyme activity. The study adds to growing evidence that nanoplastic pollution can harm the gut health and immune defenses of freshwater organisms.
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Researchers exposed juvenile red swamp crayfish to nanoplastics at concentrations found in the environment and observed stunted growth, oxidative stress, liver and gill damage, and changes in gene activity. Different concentrations triggered different toxic pathways, including immune disruption and metabolic problems. Since crayfish are a widely consumed freshwater species, these findings raise concerns about nanoplastic contamination in the food supply.
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Researchers exposed redclaw crayfish to different concentrations of polystyrene microplastics and examined the effects on organ tissue, gut microbiota, and metabolism. At high concentrations, microplastics caused damage to hepatopancreatic tissues, shifted gut bacterial communities toward potentially harmful species, and disrupted amino acid metabolic pathways. The study suggests that microplastic pollution in freshwater environments can have cascading effects on the internal biology of aquatic crustaceans.
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Scientists exposed crayfish to tiny plastic particles (nanoplastics) at different doses and found that low levels caused mild stress responses, but higher levels overwhelmed the animals' cells, damaging DNA, disrupting immune function, and triggering cell death. This matters because it shows plastic pollution can build up in freshwater food chains and cause real biological harm—and since crayfish are a food source for humans and other animals, it raises questions about how nanoplastics accumulating in our environment might similarly stress human cells and organs.
Accumulation of polyethylene microplastics induces oxidative stress, microbiome dysbiosis and immunoregulation in crayfish
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Researchers exposed crayfish (Procambarus clarkii) to polyethylene microplastics through their diet for 21 days and found that particles accumulated in the intestine, hepatopancreas, gills, and blood, persisting even after a week of depuration in clean water. The accumulated microplastics caused oxidative stress, disrupted the gut microbiome, and altered immune regulation. The study suggests that microplastic exposure may compromise the health and immune defenses of commercially important freshwater crustaceans.
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