Effects of polystyrene microplastics on the phenylpropane metabolic pathway in cucumber plants

Physiological and Biochemical Effects of Polystyrene Micro/Nano Plastics on Arabidopsis Thaliana

Growth and physiological–biochemical characteristics of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) in the presence of different microplastics

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"Soil culture experiments showed that PVC, PE, and PS microplastics at agronomically relevant concentrations reduced the root biomass of cucumbers, elevated zinc uptake, and altered antioxidant enzyme gene expression and photosynthetic efficiency. These results indicate that microplastic contamination in agricultural soils can impair crop physiology, raising concerns about both food security and the transfer of microplastic-associated stressors through the food chain to humans."

Uptake of Microplastics and Their Effects on Plants

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Researchers reviewed accumulating evidence on microplastic uptake by terrestrial plants, finding that particles smaller than 200 nm can enter root cells and translocate to shoots, potentially disrupting photosynthesis, nutrient uptake, and growth while opening a pathway for microplastics to enter the human food chain through crops.

From soil to shoot plant responses to polystyrene nanoplastics and relevance for sustainable food systems

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Tiny plastic particles from broken-down polystyrene (a common plastic) can be absorbed by plant roots and leaves, sometimes building up in the parts we actually eat, like grains and leafy greens. This review of existing research found that some crops (rice, lettuce, garlic) are harmed by these plastics, showing stress and stunted growth, while others (wheat) seem more resistant, meaning the risk to our food supply likely depends on what we're growing. The bottom line: we need better testing methods to understand how much of this plastic is ending up on our plates and what that means for our health.

Exploring the Impacts of HDPE Microplastics on Growth and Physiological Behavior of Brassica juncea (Mustard Plant)

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Researchers demonstrated that HDPE microplastics reduce chlorophyll, phenolic, and proline content in mustard plants (Brassica juncea) and showed — for the first time — that microplastics translocate from roots to leaves via fluorescence and confocal microscopy. This evidence of root-to-shoot microplastic transfer in a food crop raises direct concerns about human dietary exposure through consuming contaminated vegetables grown in plastically polluted agricultural soils.