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Bio-based microplastic polylactic acid exerts the similar toxic effects to traditional petroleum-based microplastic polystyrene in mussels
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Researchers exposed mussels to bio-based polylactic acid (PLA) microplastics and traditional polystyrene microplastics and found that both caused similar levels of harm, including oxidative stress, immune disruption, and impaired feeding and respiration. PLA is often promoted as an eco-friendly alternative to conventional plastics, but this study shows it poses comparable ecological risks once it breaks down into microplastics in the ocean. The findings suggest that switching to biodegradable plastics alone will not solve the marine microplastic problem.
Microplastics (MPs) have accumulated in the oceans, causing adverse effects on marine organisms and the environment. Biodegradable polylactic acid (PLA) is considered as an excellent substitute for traditional petroleum-based plastics, but it is difficult to degrade completely and easily become MPs in the marine environment. To test the ecological risk of bio-based PLA, we exposed thick-shelled mussels (Mytilus coruscus) to bio-based PLA and petroleum-based polystyrene (PS) (at 10, 10, and 10 particles/L) for 14 days. The significant increase in enzyme activities related to oxidative stress and immune response showed that mussels were under physiological stress after MP ingestion. While enzyme activities of nerve conduction and energy metabolism were significantly disturbed after exposure. Meanwhile, normal physiological activities in respiration, ingestion and assimilation were also suppressed in association with enzyme changes. The negative effects of PS and PLA in mussels were not differentiated, and further integration analysis of integrated biomarker response (IBR) and principal component analysis (PCA) also showed that PLA would induce adverse effects in mussels and ecological risks as PS, especially at environmental concentrations. Therefore, it is necessary to pay more attention to the environmental and ecological risk of bio-based MP PLA accumulating in the marine environment.
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Researchers tested whether polylactic acid microplastics, a bio-based and biodegradable alternative to conventional plastics, cause toxicity in blue mussels over eight days of exposure. Standard biomarkers for oxidative stress, neurotoxicity, and immunotoxicity showed no significant effects. However, metabolomic analysis revealed changes in glycerophospholipid levels, suggesting subtle biochemical alterations that warrant further investigation into the safety of biodegradable microplastics in marine environments.
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This study compared how aged biodegradable PLA microplastics and conventional polyethylene and polystyrene microplastics affect freshwater algae. While PLA caused milder stress and prompted algae to produce protective compounds, conventional plastics inhibited photosynthesis and caused more severe cellular damage. The findings suggest that PLA may be a genuinely less harmful alternative to traditional plastics for aquatic ecosystems, though it still causes some biological stress.
Polylactic Acid Microplastics Do Not Exhibit Lower Biological Toxicity in Growing Mice Compared to Polyvinyl Chloride Microplastics
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Researchers compared the health effects of biodegradable polylactic acid microplastics to conventional polyvinyl chloride microplastics in growing mice over six weeks. Contrary to expectations, the biodegradable microplastics caused equal or more severe harm, including greater disruption of gut bacteria, stronger inflammatory responses, and more intestinal damage. The study suggests that biodegradable plastics may not be safer than conventional plastics once they break down into microplastic-sized particles.
Biodegradable and conventional microplastics posed similar toxicity to marine algae Chlorella vulgaris
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Researchers compared the toxicity of biodegradable microplastics made from polylactic acid and polybutylene succinate with conventional microplastics made from polyethylene and polyamide on marine algae. They found that both types inhibited algal growth and photosynthesis to a similar degree, causing comparable oxidative stress and cell membrane damage. The study challenges the assumption that biodegradable plastics are inherently safer for marine ecosystems than conventional plastics.
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