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Uptake and translocation of polystyrene nanoplastics in edible plants via root and foliar exposure: A qualitative imaging-based study
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Researchers examined the uptake and movement of polystyrene nanoplastics in lettuce, carrot, and wheat following root and foliar exposure using confocal and electron microscopy. The study found that nanoplastics were internalized in root, stem, and leaf tissues of all three species, with lettuce showing the most extensive systemic transport including bidirectional movement, raising potential concerns for human exposure through crop consumption.
Understanding the uptake and internal distribution of nanoplastics in edible crops is critical to assessing environmental and food safety risks. This study examined the localisation and translocation of fluorescent polystyrene nanoplastics following root and foliar exposure in three major crop species: lettuce, carrot, and wheat. Using confocal and scanning electron microscopy, we detected clear internalisation of nanoplastics in root, stem, and leaf tissues, with significant variation among species and exposure pathways. Following root exposure, nanoplastics were observed in root cortical and vascular tissues across all species. Lettuce exhibited systemic translocation to stems and leaves, while carrot and wheat showed more restricted movement. After foliar exposure, particles were internalised through stomatal and cuticular routes. In lettuce, nanoplastics were also detected in stems and roots, indicating bidirectional transport, whereas downward translocation was minimal or undetectable in carrot and wheat. Surface features such as stomatal density, trichomes, and wax layers influenced particle retention and uptake efficiency. Particles were detected in tissues of all three species, raising potential concerns for human exposure via crop consumption. While imaging confirmed localisation, it remained qualitative; future studies should integrate complementary quantitative techniques and field-relevant conditions. Overall, the findings demonstrate that nanoplastics can be taken up through both foliar and root pathways, with transport efficiency shaped by species-specific anatomical and physiological traits. These results highlight the need for standardised protocols and further research into long-term implications for plant health, trophic transfer, and food safety.
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Uptake and accumulation of microplastics in an edible plant
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Researchers demonstrated for the first time that edible plants can take up and accumulate microplastics from soil. Using fluorescently labeled polystyrene beads, they showed that 0.2-micrometer particles entered lettuce roots through small cracks at lateral root emergence sites, traveled through the vascular system, and accumulated in the leaves. The findings raise concerns about a previously unrecognized pathway for human microplastic exposure through the consumption of vegetables grown in contaminated soil.
Determining the accumulation potential of nanoplastics in crops: An investigation of 14C-labelled polystyrene nanoplastic into radishes
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Researchers used a radioactive labeling technique to track nanoplastics as they moved through radish plants, demonstrating for the first time that these particles can accumulate in edible tissues. About 25% of the nanoplastics absorbed by the roots were found in the edible fleshy root, with another 10% reaching the shoots. The findings highlight a potential pathway for human exposure to nanoplastics through everyday vegetables.
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.
Uptake and translocation of nanoplastics in mono and dicot vegetables
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Scientists exposed four different vegetable crops to fluorescent nanoplastics and tracked where the particles ended up in the plants. Nanoplastics were absorbed through the roots and transported to the stems and leaves of all plants tested, including tomatoes, radishes, and leafy greens. This confirms that food crops can take up nanoplastics from contaminated soil and deliver them to the parts of the plant that people eat.
Quantitative tracing of uptake and transport of submicrometre plastics in crop plants using lanthanide chelates as a dual-functional tracer
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Researchers developed a new method using europium-tagged nanoplastics to precisely measure how 200-nanometer plastic particles are taken up by wheat and lettuce plants. The nanoplastics accumulated mainly in the roots, with a small but measurable amount transported to the shoots that people eat. This study confirms that food crops can absorb nanoplastics from contaminated soil, providing a direct pathway for these particles to enter the human diet.
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