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Metabolomics reveals how spinach plants reprogram metabolites to cope with intense stress responses induced by photoaged polystyrene nanoplastics (PSNPs)
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Researchers found that tiny plastic nanoparticles can be absorbed by spinach roots and travel into the edible leaves, disrupting the plant's normal metabolism. Aged (sun-weathered) nanoplastics caused even more severe effects than new ones, triggering widespread changes in the plant's chemical processes. This matters for human health because it shows microplastics can enter our food supply through the vegetables we eat.
While land-based sources have been recognized as significant long-term sinks for micro- and nanoplastics, there is limited knowledge about the uptake, translocation, and phytotoxicity of nanoplastics (NPs) in terrestrial environments, especially aged NPs. In this study, we investigated the impact of aged polystyrene nanoplastics (PSNPs) on the uptake, physiology, and metabolism of spinach. Our findings revealed that both pristine and aged PSNPs can accumulate in the roots and subsequently translocate to the aboveground tissues, thereby influencing numerous key growth indicators in spinach plants. A more pronounced impact was observed in the treatment of aged PSNPs, triggering more significant and extensive changes in metabolite levels. Furthermore, alterations in targeted pathways, specifically aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthesis and phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, were induced by aged PSNPs, while pristine PSNPs influenced pathways related to sulfur metabolism, biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids, and tryptophan metabolism. Additionally, tissue-specific responses were observed at the metabolomics level in both roots and leaves. These results highlight the existence of diverse and tissue-specific metabolic responses in spinach plants exposed to pristine and aged PSNPs, providing insights into the mechanisms of defense and detoxification against NP-induced stress.
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Unveiling the impact of microplastics and nanoplastics on vascular plants: A cellular metabolomic and transcriptomic review
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This review summarizes how microplastics and nanoplastics affect plant health at the cellular and genetic level, disrupting metabolism, nutrient uptake, and growth in vascular plants. Since contaminated crops are a pathway for microplastics to enter the human diet, understanding how plants absorb and respond to these particles is important for food safety.
Metabolic response of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) to polystyrene nanoplastics and microplastics after foliar exposure
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Researchers exposed lettuce plants to polystyrene nanoplastics and microplastics through their leaves and found that the particles altered the plant's metabolism differently depending on particle size. This foliar exposure pathway means that microplastics and nanoplastics settling on leafy vegetables from the air can change the plant's internal chemistry. Since lettuce is widely consumed raw, these metabolic changes raise questions about how microplastic-contaminated produce might affect nutritional quality and human health.
Transport Dynamics and Physiological Responses of Polystyrene Nanoplastics in Pakchoi: Implications for Food Safety and Environmental Health
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Researchers tracked fluorescently labeled nanoplastics as they traveled through pakchoi (a leafy green vegetable), entering through the roots, moving up through the plant's water-transport system, and accumulating in the leaves. The nanoplastics caused oxidative damage and disrupted plant hormones, demonstrating a clear pathway by which plastic pollution in soil could enter the human food supply through everyday vegetables.
Insights into growth-affecting effect of nanomaterials: Using metabolomics and transcriptomics to reveal the molecular mechanisms of cucumber leaves upon exposure to polystyrene nanoplastics (PSNPs)
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Researchers used advanced metabolomics and gene expression analysis to understand how polystyrene nanoplastics affect cucumber plant leaves. The study found that nanoplastic exposure altered key metabolic pathways and gene expression patterns, interfering with normal plant growth and physiology. The findings provide molecular-level evidence that airborne nanoplastics settling on crops could affect plant health and potentially food production.
Polystyrene nanoplastics' accumulation in roots induces adverse physiological and molecular effects in water spinach Ipomoea aquatica Forsk
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Researchers exposed water spinach to polystyrene nanoplastics in a hydroponic experiment and tracked where the particles accumulated in the plant. They found that nanoplastics built up primarily in the roots, causing reduced growth, impaired photosynthesis, and disrupted antioxidant defense systems. The study raises concerns about nanoplastic uptake by edible aquatic vegetables and the potential implications for food safety.
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