Transcriptomic and Physiological Biochemical Analysis Reveals the Impact of Polystyrene Nanoplastics on the Quality of Nuts

Transcriptomic and physiological biochemical analysis reveals the impact of polystyrene nanoplastics on the quality of nuts

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Researchers found that polystyrene nanoplastics (tiny plastic particles less than 1 micrometer across) can penetrate and accumulate inside the nuts of Torreya grandis trees, reducing nut size and lowering levels of key nutrients like starch and oils by disrupting the genes responsible for their production. These findings suggest that nanoplastic contamination in soil can directly affect the nutritional quality of tree nuts.

Physiological and Biochemical Effects of Polystyrene Micro/Nano Plastics on Arabidopsis Thaliana

From soil to shoot plant responses to polystyrene nanoplastics and relevance for sustainable food systems

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Tiny plastic particles from broken-down polystyrene (a common plastic) can be absorbed by plant roots and leaves, sometimes building up in the parts we actually eat, like grains and leafy greens. This review of existing research found that some crops (rice, lettuce, garlic) are harmed by these plastics, showing stress and stunted growth, while others (wheat) seem more resistant, meaning the risk to our food supply likely depends on what we're growing. The bottom line: we need better testing methods to understand how much of this plastic is ending up on our plates and what that means for our health.

Biochemical, Histological and Molecular Docking into the Impact of Polystyrene Nanoplastics on Antioxidant Enzymes and Testicular Health in Rats

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Tiny plastic particles called nanoplastics, found widely in our environment, may harm male fertility, according to a new rat study. Rats exposed to higher doses of these plastics showed weakened antioxidant defenses and physical damage to testicular tissue, including fewer developing sperm cells. While this research was done in rats, not humans, it adds to growing concerns that the microplastics and nanoplastics we're routinely exposed to through food, water, and air could pose risks to reproductive health.

Micro- and Nanoplastics on Plant Functionalities

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Researchers reviewed how micro- and nanoplastics affect plant physiology and function — including germination, root growth, photosynthesis, and nutrient uptake — across a range of crop and wild plant species. Plant uptake of plastic particles is a key mechanism by which microplastic contamination moves from soil into the human food supply, making these effects central to understanding dietary exposure risks.