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Green algae for the removal of bisphenol A: Integrated analysis of toxicological and metabolic responses at the cellular and molecular levels
Summary
BPA, a chemical released as microplastics break down, is a known toxic pollutant found in water, soil, and even air—and this review rounds up what scientists currently know about how green algae can help remove it from water. The good news: some algae naturally break down or absorb BPA, offering a promising, low-cost way to clean up contaminated water, though BPA exposure also affects the algae's own health and growth. Since these algae sit at the bottom of the food chain and are also used to make foods and supplements, understanding how they handle BPA matters for both cleaning up pollution and keeping our food and water supplies safer.
Bisphenol A (BPA) is a synthetic organic compound released into the environment as a result of the decomposition of microplastics. Due to its widespread presence and high toxicity to living organisms, it poses a significant environmental challenge. In aquatic ecosystems, photosynthetic green microalgae (Chlorophyta) are primary producers and are important for the assessment and monitoring of water quality. Although green algae are a source of valuable biocompounds, such as fatty acids or proteins which are important in the human diet, and a renewable energy source, the effects of BPA exposure on the metabolism of these microorganisms are poorly understood. This review summarises recent studies on the occurrence of BPA in the environment, including water, wastewater, leachates, soil, sediments, sludge, air, and dust and presents current knowledge on the mechanisms by which green algae remove BPA. The present study also explores the impact of BPA on growth, chlorophyll fluorescence, gene expression, and metabolic pathways in green microalgae.