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Transcription-metabolism analysis of various signal transduction pathways in Brassica chinensis L. exposed to PLA-MPs
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Researchers used gene and metabolite analysis to study how microplastics from biodegradable polylactic acid (PLA) plastic affect the growth of Chinese cabbage. They found that PLA microplastics altered the expression of genes involved in plant hormone signaling and metabolism, and changed levels of key amino acids and metabolic compounds. The study suggests that even biodegradable plastics can disrupt plant development at the molecular level, warranting further investigation.
Biodegradable plastics, regarded as an ideal substitute for traditional plastics, are increasingly utilized across various industries. However, due to their unique degradation properties, they can generate microplastics (MPs) at a faster rate, potentially posing a threat to plant development. This study employed transcriptomics and metabolomics to investigate the effects of polylactic acid microplastics (PLA-MPs) on the physiological and biochemical characteristics of Brassica chinensis L. over different periods. The findings indicated that exposure to varying concentrations of PLA-MPs had distinct influences on the growth and development of Brassica chinensis L. Transcriptomic analysis showed different concentrations of PLA-MPs directly influenced the expression of genes associated with plant hormones, such as SnRK2 and BnaA01g27170D. In addition, it was observed that these PLA-MPs also impacted plant growth and development by modulating the expression of other genes, eg. related to sulfur metabolism and glycerophosphate metabolism. Metabolomic analysis demonstrated alterations levels of metabolites such as L-glutamine, and arginine in response to PLA-MPs, which influenced pathways related to vitamin B6 metabolism, the one-carbon folate pool, glycerophospholipid metabolism, and cysteine. This study offers new insights into the potential impacts of biodegradable microplastics (BMPs) on plants and underscores the need for further investigation into the potentially more significant effects of BMPs on terrestrial ecosystems.
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Influence of polyethylene microplastics on Brassica rapa: Toxicity mechanism investigation
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Researchers exposed the fast-growing plant Brassica rapa (related to turnip and cabbage) to polyethylene microplastics that had been degraded by sunlight, finding that the plastics stunted plant growth by up to 51% and triggered cellular stress responses. Genetic analysis revealed the microplastics disrupted the plant's immune and growth pathways, providing insight into how plastic pollution in agricultural soil could affect food crops.
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.
Transcriptomic and metabolomic changes in lettuce triggered by microplastics-stress
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Researchers grew lettuce in water containing polystyrene microplastics and found that the particles accumulated in root tips and leaf veins, causing water loss stress and changes in gene expression. The plants responded by activating stress defense systems and altering their metabolism, including increased production of protective compounds in root secretions. This study provides molecular-level evidence that microplastics can stress food crops and change their biology, raising questions about the safety and nutritional quality of vegetables grown in contaminated environments.
Brassica chinensis L. response to polypropylene microplastics via photosynthetic and antioxidant systems: a combined analysis of transcriptomic and metabolomic
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Scientists found that microplastic pollution in soil affects bok choy plants at a molecular level, reducing chlorophyll (needed for photosynthesis) while triggering the plant's internal defense systems to kick into overdrive. The good news is the plants didn't grow smaller or produce less overall, but this research is an early signal that the vegetables we eat may be quietly adapting to a plastic-contaminated environment, raising questions about long-term food quality and safety that scientists are still working to understand.
Integrated metabolomics and transcriptomics reveal the hormesis-like effects of polyethylene microplastics on Pisum sativum L
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Researchers used integrated metabolomics and transcriptomics to investigate hormesis-like effects of microplastics — where low concentrations stimulate while higher concentrations inhibit biological processes. The multi-omics approach revealed complex dose-dependent molecular responses to microplastic exposure.
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