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Microplastic exposure reduced the defecation rate, altered digestive enzyme activities, and caused histological and ultracellular changes in the midgut tissues of the ground beetle (Blaps polychresta)
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Researchers fed ground beetles microplastic-contaminated food and found that exposure slowed their digestion, disrupted digestive enzymes, and caused severe damage to their gut tissue at the cellular level. The beetles showed destroyed gut lining, abnormal cell structures, and dead cells in their midgut. Since ground beetles are important pest-controlling predators in agricultural fields, microplastic harm to these insects could disrupt the natural pest control that protects food crops.
Concerns about microplastic (MP) pollution in terrestrial systems are increasing. It is believed that the overall amount of MPs in the terrestrial system could be 4-23 times higher than that in the ocean. Agricultural ecosystems are among the most polluted areas with MPs. Terrestrial organisms such as ground beetles, will be more vulnerable to MPs in various agricultural soil types because they are common in garden and agricultural areas. Therefore, this work aims to assess for the first time the potential adverse effects of chronic exposure for 30 days of ground beetles to a field-realistic concentration of 2 % (w/w) of three different irregularly shaped MPs polymers: Polystyrene (PS), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and polyamide 6 (PA; i.e., nylon 6) on their health. The results showed no effect on beetle survival; nevertheless, there was a decrease in beetle defecation rate, particularly in beetles exposed to PS-MPs, and a change in the activity of midgut digestive enzymes. The effects on digestive enzymes (amylase, protease, lipase, and α-glucosidase) were polymer and enzyme specific. Furthermore, histological and cytological studies demonstrated the decomposition of the midgut peritrophic membrane, as well as abnormally shaped nuclei, vacuolation, disordered microvilli, necrosis of goblet and columnar cells, and necrosis of mitochondria in midgut cells. Given the importance of ground beetles as predators in most agricultural and garden settings, the reported adverse impacts of MPs on their health may impact their existence and ecological functions.
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Data from: Physiological and histopathological effects of polystyrene and polyethylene terephthalate microplastics and their binary mixture in a ground beetle (Blaps polychresta)
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Scientists fed ground beetles tiny plastic particles (from common plastics like polystyrene and PET) for 30 days and found real damage: the plastics disrupted digestion, triggered cell-damaging stress, and harmed reproductive tissue, with a mix of both plastics causing even worse effects than either alone. While this study is in beetles, not humans, it's a warning sign — since these plastics are widespread in soil and the food chain, understanding how they damage living tissue at a biological level matters for figuring out what they might do to larger animals and, eventually, us.
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Researchers studied how polyethylene microplastics affect the gut of fall armyworms, a common agricultural pest insect. They found that microplastics caused gut inflammation and oxidative damage, disrupting normal gut function, which provides insight into how microplastic contamination in soil may affect insects throughout the food chain.
Physiological and histopathological effects of polystyrene and polyethylene terephthalate microplastics and their binary mixture in a ground beetle ( Blaps polychresta )
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Scientists fed ground beetles tiny plastic particles (the same types found in packaging and bottles) and found the plastics damaged their gut function and reproductive organs by triggering cell-damaging stress, with two plastic types combined causing even worse effects than either alone. While this study is on beetles, not humans, it's a warning sign: as microplastics build up in soil from litter and waste, they may be harming small creatures that are crucial to healthy ecosystems and food chains — and the "mixture effect" finding suggests real-world plastic pollution (which is rarely just one type) could be more harmful than lab studies testing single pl
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