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Transcriptomic and metabolomic responses of maize under conventional and biodegradable microplastic stress
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Researchers studied how both conventional and biodegradable microplastics affect maize at the molecular level, finding that both types altered plant metabolism and triggered stress responses. The microplastics changed how the plants handled energy, photosynthesis, and hormone signaling, with effects varying by plastic type. This is concerning for food safety because microplastic-contaminated soil could change the nutritional quality or safety of crops that people eat.
The increasing accumulation of microplastics in agricultural soils potentially threatens crop safety and quality. However, studies regarding the molecular mechanisms underlying the effects of conventional and biodegradable microplastics on plant growth remain limited. Herein, we estimated the effects of biodegradable polybutylene adipate terephthalate, poly (butylene succinate), polylactic acid, and conventional non-biodegradable polyethylene and polystyrene microplastics (at a concentration of 1% [w/w]) on the growth and physiological performance of maize (Zea mays L.). In addition, we studied the molecular mechanisms underlying the effects of these microplastics on maize. Exposure to microplastics induced the production of antioxidant enzymes and antioxidants at varying levels in the maize. While the maize antioxidant systems were induced against biodegradable microplastic exposure, maize photosynthesis was relatively more important for conventional microplastic treatments. Additionally, metabolomics and transcriptomic analyses revealed that the pathways of secondary metabolite biosynthesis, photosynthesis, energy metabolism, and carbohydrate metabolism were regulated by biodegradable and conventional microplastics. Specifically, microplastics induced the plant hormone signal transduction and mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathways. Our results further indicated that microplastics could impact the plant through changing the soil environmental variables or altering the soil microbial communities. This study provides a molecular-scale perspective on the responses of crops to microplastic contamination, and these findings will contribute to the ecological risk assessment of biodegradable and conventional microplastics.
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Integrated physiological, metabolomic, and transcriptomic responses of maize (Zea mays) and soybean (Glycine max) to nanoplastic-induced stress
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Researchers exposed maize and soybean crops to polyethylene and polypropylene nanoplastics in soil and found that high concentrations suppressed plant growth and caused oxidative stress in both species. The nanoplastics accumulated in plant roots and disrupted normal gene activity and metabolism, with soybeans being more sensitive than maize. These findings raise concerns about food crop quality and safety as nanoplastic contamination of agricultural soil increases.
Effect of Non-biodegradable and Biodegradable Microplastics on Plants from Physiological to individual levels: A Meta-analysis
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This meta-analysis pools data from 180 studies to compare how biodegradable and non-biodegradable microplastics affect plant health. It found that both types can harm plant growth and physiology, which matters because contaminated crops could eventually transfer microplastics into the food supply that humans depend on.
Combined transcriptome and metabolome analysis revealed the toxicity mechanism of individual or combined of microplastic and salt stress on maize
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Researchers studied how polystyrene microplastics combined with salt stress affect maize seedlings, finding that the combination reduced plant growth by nearly 74%, far worse than either stressor alone. Gene and metabolite analysis revealed that the combined stress severely disrupted energy production, antioxidant defenses, and hormone signaling in the plants. This is relevant to food security because microplastic-contaminated agricultural soils with high salt levels could dramatically reduce crop yields.
Impact of microplastics from polyethylene and biodegradable mulch films on rice (Oryza sativa L.)
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Researchers studied how microplastics from both conventional polyethylene and biodegradable mulch films affect rice growth. Both types of microplastics reduced plant height and weight, caused oxidative stress, inhibited photosynthesis, and altered gene expression related to nutrient uptake. This study is important because it shows that even biodegradable plastics can harm food crops, raising concerns about the quality and safety of rice grown in microplastic-contaminated agricultural soil.
Unveiling the impact of microplastics and nanoplastics on vascular plants: A cellular metabolomic and transcriptomic review
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This review summarizes how microplastics and nanoplastics affect plant health at the cellular and genetic level, disrupting metabolism, nutrient uptake, and growth in vascular plants. Since contaminated crops are a pathway for microplastics to enter the human diet, understanding how plants absorb and respond to these particles is important for food safety.
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