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The multigenerational effects of nanoplastic exposure on fitness and oxidative stress of Drosophila melanogaster
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Researchers tracked the effects of nanoplastic exposure on fitness and oxidative stress markers across multiple generations of a small aquatic invertebrate. Reproductive success and antioxidant defenses deteriorated progressively across generations, suggesting that multigenerational exposure to nanoplastics causes cumulative ecological harm.
Plastic production and use rise continuously, and its insufficient and inadequate recycling management increase the amount of plastic wastes. Plastic wastes' alteration can further lead to the formation and accumulation of macro- and meso-fragments, which progressively degrade into micro- and nanoplastics. Their impacts on natural ecosystems are gaining attention, with investigations examining the effects of plastic pollution on aquatic environments and species, and more recently on terrestrial species. However, the toxicity of nanoplastics to insects under continuous exposure through several generations remains understudied. Our study investigated the effects of polystyrene nanoplastics (NP) on the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster continuously fed with NP-contaminated food at three concentrations (0, 1.05 µg/g, 105 µg/g and 525 µg/g of food) over 10 generations. The effects of NP exposure consisting in a mix of commercial polystyrene NP (20, 80 and 200 nm) were measured on the 5th and 10th generations of the fly, from the individual to the physiological levels. The toxicity at the individual scale was assessed by monitoring the viability from eggs to adults, the development time and fecundity. The physiological effects of NP were examined by measuring the activity of two anti-oxidant enzymes: catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD). Our results showed that NP exposure slightly affected the fitness of the flies, as revealed by the decrease of viability at the 10th generation at the highest NP concentration. Moreover, the development time from eggs to adults was delayed by few hours, mostly at the 5th generation. Finally, SOD activity first decreased at the 5th generation for all NP concentrations, but increased at the 10th generation at 525 µg NP/g food. CAT activity remained unchanged. In conclusion, the results highlighted the toxicity of NP after a long exposure. More studies are needed to fully understand the underlying mechanisms of NP on insects. Also see: https://micro2024.sciencesconf.org/559092/document
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