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Behavioral toxicity and neurotoxic mechanisms of PLA-PBAT biodegradable microplastics in zebrafish
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This study tested the toxicity of biodegradable PLA-PBAT microplastics -- a common "eco-friendly" plastic alternative -- on zebrafish over 21 days. The biodegradable microplastics caused behavioral changes, reduced growth, brain inflammation, and disrupted neurotransmitter levels similar to conventional plastics. These findings challenge the assumption that biodegradable plastics are safer for living organisms.
Escalation of ecological concern due to biodegradable plastics has attracted the attention of many contemporary researchers. This study searched to investigate the acute and sub-chronic toxicity of polylactic acid (PLA) and polybutyleneadipate-co-terephthalate (PLA-PBAT) bio-microplastics on 3-month-old zebrafish to elucidate their potential toxic mechanisms. Acute toxicity assessments revealed 96 h-LC50 value of 12.69 mg/L for PLA-PBAT. Sub-chronic exposure of over 21 days revealed deviations in critical behavioral patterns and physiological indicators. In treated groups, weight gain and specific growth rates were significantly lower than those obtained for the control group, such that high doses induced significant reductions in total organ coefficient (p < 0.05). A positive correlation was observed between zebrafish mortality and increased doses. Detailed behavioral evaluations revealed a dose-dependent decrease in the speed and range of swimming, along with modifications in shoaling behavior, anxiety-like responses, and avoidance behaviors. Brain tissues transcriptomic analyses revealed the molecular responses underlying sub-chronic exposure to PLA-PBAT. Totally 702 DEGs and 5 KEGG pathways were significantly identified in low-dose group, with the top 2 significant pathways being ribosome pathway and cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction pathway. Totally 650 DEGs and 5 KEGG pathways were significantly identified in medium-dose group, with the top 2 significant pathways being Herpes simplex virus 1 infection pathway and complement and coagulation cascades pathway. Totally 1778 DEGs and 16 KEGG pathways were significantly identified in high-dose group, with the top 2 significant pathways being metabolism of xenobiotics by cytochrome P450 and drug metabolism - cytochrome P450 pathway. Most significantly enriched pathways are associated with immune responses. The validation of key gene in cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction pathway also confirmed its high correlation with behavioral indicators. These results indicate that PLA-PBAT is likely to cause behavioral abnormalities in zebrafish by triggering immune dysregulation in the brain.
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This study tested the toxicity of PBAT biodegradable microplastics on zebrafish embryos and young fish, finding they impaired swimming behavior even though they did not obviously affect body development. The biodegradable microplastics persisted in the fish's bodies after ingestion. This challenges the assumption that biodegradable plastics are completely safe, since they can still form microplastics that harm aquatic life and may enter the human food chain through fish.
Multiple endpoints of polylactic acid biomicroplastic toxicity in adult zebrafish (Danio rerio)
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Researchers exposed adult zebrafish to polylactic acid (PLA) bioplastic microparticles for 30 days and found accumulation in liver, brain, gills, and tissue, along with social behavior disruption, cholinergic changes, oxidative imbalance, and altered pigmentation — challenging the assumption that biodegradable bioplastics are environmentally benign.
Polylactic acid microplastics before and after aging induced neurotoxicity in zebrafish by disrupting the microbiota-gut-brain axis
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Researchers exposed zebrafish to microplastics made from PLA, a common biodegradable plastic, and found that both new and aged PLA particles caused brain and nerve damage, including sluggish behavior, memory problems, and increased aggression. Aged PLA particles were even more toxic, and the damage appeared to work through disruption of the gut-brain connection, raising concerns about the safety of biodegradable plastics as they break down in water.
Systemic toxicity of biodegradable polyglycolic acid microplastics on the gut-liver-brain axis in zebrafish
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Zebrafish exposed to polyglycolic acid (PGA) microplastics, a type of biodegradable plastic used in medical devices and food packaging, showed damage across the gut, liver, and brain through the gut-liver-brain axis. The microplastics increased gut permeability, disrupted beneficial gut bacteria, interfered with liver fat metabolism, and caused anxiety-like behavior and cognitive impairment. This study is notable because it shows that even biodegradable plastics can cause significant toxic effects when they break down into microplastics.
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Zebrafish larvae exposed to polylactic acid (PLA) bioplastic particles for five days showed behavioral changes including altered locomotion and biochemical disruptions — and the particles accumulated in the larvae. The results indicate that PLA bioplastics are not harmless to aquatic life and deserve the same ecological scrutiny as petroleum-based plastics.
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