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Polyethylene terephthalate microfibers change molting patterns of Penaeus vannamei in a benthic exposure system
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Researchers exposed whiteleg shrimp to polyethylene terephthalate microfibers for 21 days and found that the fibers negatively affected growth, altered molting cycles, and caused structural damage to the hepatopancreas and intestines. Molecular analysis revealed that the microfibers disrupted molting hormones and chitin biosynthesis pathways. The study highlights that fibrous microplastics on the seafloor may pose significant risks to commercially important crustacean species.
Crustaceans inhabiting benthic environments come into contact with microplastics (MPs) that accumulate on the seafloor. At present, research on the toxicity of MPs to crustaceans has mainly focused on spherical MPs. Hence, this study assessed the toxicity of polyethylene terephthalate microfibers (PET MFs) to crustaceans. The whiteleg shrimp (Penaeus vannamei), a valuable food source, was exposed to PET MFs for 21 d, and their biological responses at the individual, tissue, and molecular levels were observed. The results revealed that PET MFs negatively affected the overall health (body length and weight), altered the molting cycle, burrowing movement, and caused changes in the body shell, hepatopancreas, and intestinal ultrastructure. By analyzing modifications in transcriptomes and metabolites, we revealed alterations in molting hormones and chitin biosynthesis-related molecules, which induced adjustments in the molting cycle. Our study enhances the understanding of marine crustaceans' responses to MFs, highlighting the changes in biological mechanisms.
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Length-dependent impacts of fibrous microplastics on Pacific white shrimp (Penaeus vannamei) determined using multi-omics approach
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White shrimp (Penaeus vannamei) exposed to short versus long PET microfibers showed length-dependent toxicological responses assessed by transcriptomics and metabolomics, with shorter fibers causing greater oxidative stress, immune disruption, and metabolic disturbance than longer ones.
Microplastics weaken the exoskeletal mechanical properties of Pacific whiteleg shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei
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Researchers discovered that environmentally realistic levels of microplastics weakened the shells of whiteleg shrimp by disrupting the structure of chitin, the main building material in crustacean exoskeletons. The microplastics also embedded in the shell surface and altered key genes and metabolites involved in shell formation. Since shrimp is a widely consumed seafood, this finding raises questions about both the quality of farmed shrimp and the potential for microplastic transfer to human consumers.
Accumulation and damage of polyethylene-microplastics to the digestive system of juvenile Litopenaeus vannamei shrimp exposed through feed
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Researchers fed juvenile Pacific white shrimp diets containing polyethylene microplastics at varying concentrations for 28 days. While survival and growth were not affected, microplastics accumulated in the digestive system and caused tissue damage to the hepatopancreas and intestine, suggesting that even without visible growth effects, microplastic ingestion can cause internal harm to commercially important crustacean species.
Impacts of polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) microplastic exposure on physiology and metabolic profiles of Litopenaeus vannamei
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Researchers exposed Pacific white shrimp to biodegradable PHB microplastics and found that while short-term exposure up to 100 mg/L showed no acute toxicity, long-term feeding with higher concentrations led to reduced survival, slower growth, and changes in metabolic pathways. The metabolic disruptions included alterations in amino acid and lipid metabolism, suggesting the shrimp's bodies were under significant stress. The findings indicate that even biodegradable plastics can have meaningful negative effects on marine aquaculture species over time.
Transcriptomic analysis following polystyrene nanoplastic stress in the Pacific white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei
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Researchers used transcriptomic analysis to study how polystyrene nanoplastics affect gene expression in Pacific white shrimp. They found that nanoplastic exposure activated lysosome pathways and disrupted genes involved in immune response, protein processing, and metabolism. The study provides molecular-level evidence that nanoplastics can interfere with multiple biological systems in commercially important shrimp species.
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