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Uptake, translocation, and phytotoxic mechanisms of polystyrene and polylactic acid nanoplastics in tobacco seedlings
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Scientists found that tiny plastic particles (nanoplastics) can be absorbed by tobacco plants through their roots and travel up into stems and leaves, where they build up over time. At low levels, the plastics actually seemed to slightly boost plant growth, but at higher levels they damaged the plants' cells and hurt their ability to grow — and surprisingly, the "biodegradable" plastic (PLA) caused more harm than regular plastic (PS). This matters because it shows that plastic pollution in soil and water doesn't just stay put — it can move into the crops we grow, raising questions about how these particles might eventually
Nanoplastics (NPs) are increasingly recognized as pollutants in agricultural systems, yet their impacts on tobacco remain poorly understood. This study systematically investigated the uptake, translocation, and physiological responses of tobacco seedlings exposed to polystyrene (PS, 50 nm) and polylactic acid (PLA, 50 nm) NPs under hydroponic conditions. Both PS and PLA exhibited concentration-dependent effects. Low concentrations (10 mg L −1 ) moderately enhanced biomass accumulation (8.2-24.4%) and photosynthetic performance (21.6-33.5%), whereas high concentrations (100 mg L −1 ) significantly suppressed growth (9.4-30.2%), reduced chlorophyll content (6.0-14.9%), decreased photosystem II efficiency, and increased lipid peroxidation. Confocal microscopy revealed the presence of fluorescently labeled NPs in roots, stems, and leaves, indicating their uptake and translocation within tobacco seedlings. FTIR analysis detected characteristic PS (698 cm −1 ) and PLA (1758 cm −1 ) functional groups in plant tissues and revealed changes in the -OH and C-O-C bands, indicating the occurrence of oxidative stress responses and potential modifications in celluloserelated structures. Overall, the results suggest that NPs adversely affect tobacco growth through integrated mechanisms involving tissue accumulation, redox imbalance, and structural alterations. PLA exerted stronger inhibitory and oxidative effects than PS at the same concentration. These findings advance our understanding of the behavior and phytotoxicity of biodegradable and nonbiodegradable NPs in agricultural environments.
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Nanoplastics are taken up by lettuce and barley under realistic soil condition
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Scientists found that tiny plastic particles called nanoplastics can be absorbed by lettuce and barley plants when grown in soil, even at low pollution levels similar to what's found in the environment. The plastic particles accumulated in the parts of the plants that people eat, showing a new way these pollutants could enter our food supply. While the amounts were small, this research reveals that nanoplastics from pollution can travel from soil into our crops, which could eventually affect human health.
Micro/Nanoplastics in Agriculture: Uptake, Translocation and Bioaccumulation in Plants and Their Ecological Implications
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Tiny plastic particles from pollution are building up in farm soils and getting absorbed by plants through their roots, then traveling up into the leaves, fruits, and other parts we eat. This review of existing research shows these plastics can interfere with how plants grow and take up nutrients, and their presence in edible crops raises real concerns about how much plastic might be ending up on our dinner plates. Scientists still need better, standardized tools to detect these particles and develop ways to keep them out of our food supply.
Temporal and SizeDependent Uptake of Micro- and NanoPlastics in an Edible Plant
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Scientists grew basil plants in water containing tiny plastic particles (micro- and nanoplastics) to see if the plants would absorb them, and they did, with plastics building up in the roots and, in smaller amounts, moving up into the leaves people might eat. The smallest plastic particles were absorbed and moved through the plant most easily, and the plastics also appeared to carry along other chemicals from the water, hinting that produce grown in plastic-contaminated water or soil could be a route for these particles and hitchhiking chemicals to enter our food.
Migration pattern and biochemical response characteristics of polylactic acid nanoparticles in pakchoi (Brassica chinensis L. cv. SuZhou) seedlings
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Researchers exposed pakchoi seedlings to polylactic acid nanoplastics of different sizes and concentrations in hydroponic solutions. They found that smaller particles at higher concentrations were more readily absorbed by roots and transported to aboveground plant tissues. The nanoplastics caused oxidative stress, reduced antioxidant enzyme activity, and altered chlorophyll and protein content, suggesting that even biodegradable plastic nanoparticles can be harmful to food crops.
Micro- and nanoplastics in terrestrial plants: uptake, accumulation, and impacts on growth and physiology
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Tiny plastic particles from broken-down waste are building up in soil and getting absorbed by plants through their roots and leaves, according to this review of existing research. Once inside, these particles can stunt seed sprouting, weaken root growth, and interfere with photosynthesis (how plants make energy from sunlight), which matters because these are the same crops we eat. Since the plastic can travel from soil into plant tissue, this raises questions about how much may be passing into our food supply and, ultimately, into us.
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