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Aging alters nanoplastics–propranolol interactions in lettuce: implications for plant toxicity and microbiomes
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Scientists found that "weathered" plastic bits, the kind broken down by sun exposure like in real environments, absorb more of a common heart medication and help carry it into lettuce leaves and roots. This combo stressed the plants and disrupted their natural bacteria, raising questions about how aged microplastics in soil or water could affect the safety and quality of the produce we eat.
This study investigated whether UV aging and surface functionalization of polystyrene nanoplastics (NPs) modify their interactions with propranolol (PRO) and affect lettuce physiology and endophytic bacterial communities. Lettuce was exposed for 30 days to pristine or aged NPs (5 or 50 mg L), PRO (100 μg L), or their combinations. The results showed that UV aging enhanced PRO adsorption, potentially owing to increased surface oxidation and specific surface area. Moreover, aged NPs produced numerically higher PRO contents in both roots and leaves than their pristine counterparts, with a maximum increase of 69.4 ± 5.68% observed in leaves. PRO alone reduced chlorophyll a and leaf dry weight by 31.3 ± 1.89% and 21.5 ± 1.59%, respectively, and induced oxidative stress, disrupted nitrogen metabolism, and altered endophytic bacterial communities. NP co-exposure modified lettuce responses to PRO in a concentration- and aging-dependent manner. At 5 mg L, NPs partially alleviated PRO-induced phytotoxicity, whereas at 50 mg L, disturbances in oxidative status, antioxidant defenses, and nitrogen metabolism were more pronounced, particularly in the presence of aged NPs. Microbial analyses revealed tissue-specific responses of lettuce endophytes to NP + PRO co-exposure. Leaf alpha diversity was more responsive to PRO exposure, whereas root endophytic richness and community structure were more responsive to NP aging. Treatment-dependent changes in dominant genera and differentially abundant taxa indicated distinct root and leaf responses to combined exposure. Overall, NP concentration and aging were important factors influencing PRO accumulation and the physiological and endophytic bacterial responses of lettuce.
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Aging increases the phytotoxicity of polyethylene and polypropylene to Lactuca Sativa L. compared to original microplastics
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This study found that microplastics from polyethylene and polypropylene become more toxic to lettuce plants after aging in the environment, reducing plant growth by roughly 25-28% compared to fresh plastic particles. The aged plastics disrupted the soil around plant roots, blocking nutrient absorption and interfering with key metabolic processes. This matters because most microplastics in farm soil have been weathered over time, meaning their real-world effects on food crops may be worse than lab studies using new plastics suggest.
Effects of naturally aged microplastics on arsenic and cadmium accumulation in lettuce: Insights into rhizosphere microecology
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Researchers studied how naturally aged microplastics in soil affect the uptake of arsenic and cadmium by lettuce. At low concentrations, microplastics actually reduced heavy metal absorption and helped plant growth, but at higher concentrations they increased the amount of toxic metals taken up by the lettuce. This means microplastic-contaminated farmland could lead to higher levels of heavy metals in salad greens and other vegetables that people eat.
Aged polyethylene microplastics modulate herbicide and antibiotic bioavailability and plant responses: A case study with glyphosate and tetracycline
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Scientists found that tiny plastic particles commonly found in farm soil can stick to plant roots and change how plants absorb harmful chemicals like pesticides and antibiotics. The plastic pieces made plants more stressed and damaged, reducing important nutrients like chlorophyll by 30%. This matters because it could affect the safety and quality of the food we eat, since these plastic particles are becoming more common in agricultural areas where our crops are grown.
Mutual Effects and Uptake of Organic Contaminants and Nanoplastics by Lettuce in Co-Exposure
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Researchers found that when lettuce was grown with both nanoplastics and common agricultural pollutants, the nanoplastics dramatically increased the amount of the painkiller ibuprofen absorbed into the plant's leaves (by up to 309% in salty conditions). This means nanoplastics in farm soil could act as carriers that boost how much of other harmful chemicals end up in the food we eat. The study highlights how microplastic contamination in agriculture can amplify human exposure to multiple pollutants at once.
Natural Aging IntensifiesMicroplastic Phytotoxicityin Brassica chinensis
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Researchers compared pristine and artificially aged polyethylene and polystyrene microplastics applied to pak choi (Brassica chinensis) in soil over 45 days. Aged MPs with oxidised surfaces caused stronger phytotoxicity than pristine MPs, reducing plant biomass and disrupting soil enzyme activity, demonstrating that environmental weathering worsens MP impacts on crops.
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