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Exposure to polyethylene terephthalate microplastics induces reprogramming of flavonoids metabolism and gene regulatory networks in Capsicum annuum

Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety 2025 7 citations ? Citation count from OpenAlex, updated daily. May differ slightly from the publisher's own count. Score: 63 ? 0–100 AI score estimating relevance to the microplastics field. Papers below 30 are filtered from public browse.

Mangu Hu, Rongchao Yang, Rongchao Yang, Yilan Cui, Rongchao Yang, Rongchao Yang, Rongchao Yang, Yilan Cui, Rongchao Yang, Rongchao Yang, Yueqin Zhang Yilan Cui, Mingzhu Guan, Yueqin Zhang, Yuejun Fu, Yilan Cui, Long Cheng, Yuejun Fu, Mingzhu Guan, Long Cheng, Mingzhu Guan, Yilan Cui, Yuejun Fu, Mangu Hu, Yilan Cui, Mangu Hu, Yilan Cui, Mangu Hu, Mingzhu Guan, Mangu Hu, Long Cheng, Mangu Hu, Mangu Hu, Mangu Hu, Yilan Cui, Yilan Cui, Yilan Cui, Rongchao Yang, Mangu Hu, Yilan Cui, Yuejun Fu, Yueqin Zhang Yueqin Zhang Yueqin Zhang Yueqin Zhang Rongchao Yang, Yueqin Zhang, Yueqin Zhang, Rongchao Yang, Yueqin Zhang, Yueqin Zhang, Yueqin Zhang Yueqin Zhang Yueqin Zhang, Yueqin Zhang Yueqin Zhang Yueqin Zhang, Yueqin Zhang Yueqin Zhang, Yueqin Zhang Yueqin Zhang, Yueqin Zhang, Yueqin Zhang

Summary

Researchers exposed pepper seedlings to PET microplastics and found that the particles significantly disrupted the plants' production of flavonoids, which are beneficial compounds that protect both the plant and human consumers. The microplastics altered gene activity in pathways responsible for flavonoid production, reducing the nutritional quality of the peppers. This suggests that microplastic-contaminated soil could lower the health benefits of vegetables people eat, even when the plants appear to grow normally.

Polymers

PE PET

Micro/Nano-plastics (M/NPs) have emerged as a globally concerning pollutant. However, research on the phytotoxicity of M/NPs on plant secondary metabolism and the underlying molecular mechanisms is still limited. Pepper, a widely cultivated vegetable, is rich in flavonoids, which are a class of important secondary metabolites found throughout the plant kingdom with multiple biological functions. In this study, we conducted a detailed assessment of the physiological toxicity of Polyethylene Terephthalate microplastics (PET-MPs) on the growth of pepper seedlings. Results showed that PET-MPs significantly inhibited pepper growth, particularly root development. Moreover, PET-MPs exposure resulted in a burst of ROS, causing oxidative damage. KEGG pathways analysis illustrated that PET-MPs significantly altered the flavonoid biosynthesis and phenylpropanoid biosynthesis pathways at both the metabolome and transcriptome levels. Weighted gene correlation network analysis (WGCNA) identified ten structural genes and nine transcription factor genes that play pivotal roles in regulating flavonoid biosynthesis. In summary, this study elucidates the alterations in the flavonoid composition, along with the underlying gene regulatory network governing flavonoid metabolism under PET-MPs exposure in pepper. These findings enhance our comprehension of MPs pollution and provide valuable insights for the development of sustainable agro-ecosystems and food security in the future.

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