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Uncovering metabolomic dysregulation in Lactuca sativa caused by exposure to nano- and microplastics (NMPs)
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Scientists found that when lettuce plants were exposed to tiny plastic particles (nano- and microplastics) in water, it disrupted their production of healthy fats, including omega-3s like alpha-linolenic acid — and the smallest plastic particles caused the biggest problems. This matters because lettuce is a common food crop, and if plastic pollution in water and soil is quietly reducing the nutritional quality of the vegetables we eat, that's worth knowing as microplastic contamination continues to spread through our environment. More research is needed to understand what this means for the produce actually reaching our plates.
This work investigated the metabolic impact of nano- and microplastics (NMPs) in Lactuca sativa using controlled hydroponic exposures combined with non-targeted high-resolution mass spectrometry metabolomics. Polystyrene NMPs of four particle sizes (100, 200, 500, and 1000 nm) were tested across multiple concentrations. Multivariate analysis revealed clear metabolic discrimination between exposed and control plants, with smaller nanoparticles (100–200 nm) inducing the most substantial changes. Among the principal discriminant features, four were selected for in-depth characterization based on their statistical response, all consistently downregulated in NMP-exposed plants. α-Linolenic acid was confirmed at Schymanski Level 1, while three additional C18-class lipid-related features were annotated at Level 4. The four candidate metabolites point to disruption of polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA)-related pathways, with the C 18 H 28 O feature showing the strongest size-dependent response. In contrast, α-linolenic acid exhibited a more gradual response across particle sizes, suggesting a different interaction mechanism. Larger particles (500–1000 nm) induced markedly weaker effects, confirming the greater impact of smaller nanoparticles on PUFA downregulation. These findings illustrate the capability of HRMS-based untargeted metabolomics for evaluating NMP-induced metabolic disruption in food crops and its potential implications for plant health and food quality.
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Researchers exposed lettuce plants to polystyrene nanoplastics and microplastics through their leaves and found that the particles altered the plant's metabolism differently depending on particle size. This foliar exposure pathway means that microplastics and nanoplastics settling on leafy vegetables from the air can change the plant's internal chemistry. Since lettuce is widely consumed raw, these metabolic changes raise questions about how microplastic-contaminated produce might affect nutritional quality and human health.
Transcriptomic and metabolomic changes in lettuce triggered by microplastics-stress
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Researchers grew lettuce in water containing polystyrene microplastics and found that the particles accumulated in root tips and leaf veins, causing water loss stress and changes in gene expression. The plants responded by activating stress defense systems and altering their metabolism, including increased production of protective compounds in root secretions. This study provides molecular-level evidence that microplastics can stress food crops and change their biology, raising questions about the safety and nutritional quality of vegetables grown in contaminated environments.
Potential impact and mechanism of aged polyethylene microplastics on nitrogen assimilation of Lactuca sativa L.
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Researchers investigated how aged polyethylene microplastics of different sizes affect nitrogen uptake and metabolism in romaine lettuce. They found that aged microplastics, especially smaller particles, accumulated in the plants and disrupted nitrogen assimilation processes. The study suggests that microplastic contamination in agricultural soils may affect crop nutrition and quality by interfering with how plants absorb and process essential nutrients.
The dosage- and size-dependent effects of micro- and nanoplastics in lettuce roots and leaves at the growth, photosynthetic, and metabolomics levels
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Researchers studied the effects of polyethylene micro- and nanoplastics on lettuce plants, varying both particle size and concentration. They found that particle size played a pivotal role in influencing plant growth, photosynthetic activity, and metabolic processes, with nanoplastics generally causing more pronounced effects than larger microplastics. The study suggests that the smallest plastic particles pose the greatest risk to crop health by disrupting plant physiology at multiple levels.
The short-term effect of microplastics in lettuce involves size- and dose-dependent coordinate shaping of root metabolome, exudation profile and rhizomicrobiome
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Researchers exposed lettuce plants to polyethylene plastic particles of four different sizes and concentrations, finding that the plastics altered root chemistry, changed what the roots released into the soil, and shifted the bacteria living around them. The effects depended strongly on particle size, with smaller particles causing different metabolic changes than larger ones. This study shows that microplastics in farm soil can change the biology of food crops from the roots up, potentially affecting both crop health and nutritional quality.
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