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Exploring sustainable alternatives: Wood distillate alleviates the impact of bioplastic in basil plants
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Researchers tested whether wood distillate — a natural byproduct of wood processing — could counteract the growth-stunting effects of starch-based bioplastic on basil plants, finding that it partially restored plant health markers like vitamin C levels. The study highlights that even bioplastics can harm crops, and that natural plant treatments may help offset these effects in sustainable agriculture.
The growing interest in bioplastics and bio-based crop management products in agriculture is driven by the Sustainable Development Goals of the 2030 Agenda. However, recent research has raised concerns about the sustainability of bioplastics due to their potential negative impact on crop growth and yield, with implications for the environment and human health. In this study, wood distillate (WD) was evaluated as a natural enhancer of plant growth and defence system to mitigate the negative impact of a starch-based bioplastic on basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) plants. The study analyzed physiological and biochemical changes in basil plants subjected for 35 days to single or combined treatments of WD and bioplastic by measuring biomarkers of healthy growth, such as soluble proteins, sugars, vitamin C, and malondialdehyde (MDA). The results showed that WD promoted basil development, whereas the presence of bioplastic hindered it. Interestingly, WD did not affect sugars but increased vitamin C by 12 %, which is considered a positive effect as changes in sugar levels could indicate plant stress. In contrast, bioplastic resulted in reduced sugars (-41 %) and increased (+17 %) MDA level, while vitamin C content remained unchanged. However, when WD was added to plants grown with bioplastic, it elevated the levels of all examined parameters, except for sugars and vitamin C, which experienced reductions (-66 % and 33 %, respectively). Intriguingly, despite this reduction, the observed direct correlation between sugar and vitamin C contents was maintained, indicating that the decrease in sugar content may have reached a critical threshold. This study suggests that the use of WD has the potential to alleviate the adverse effects of bioplastic on basil growth and development and highlights the importance of adopting sustainable practices in agriculture, as well as the need for a critical assessment of the environmental impact of new technologies and products.
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Impact of starch-based bioplastic on growth and biochemical parameters of basil plants
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"Eco-friendly" bioplastics used in farming (like biodegradable mulch films) may not be as harmless as marketed: this study found that basil plants grown in soil containing bioplastic residue grew smaller, had less chlorophyll and vitamin C, and showed signs of cell stress compared to plants grown in normal soil. While this research looked at plant health rather than direct human effects, it raises questions about whether bioplastics breaking down in farm soil could affect crop quality and nutrition, suggesting that switching from conventional plastics to bioplastics isn't automatically a health or environmental win without more testing.
Dose-Dependent Effects of a Corn Starch-Based Bioplastic on Basil (Ocimum basilicum L.): Implications for Growth, Biochemical Parameters, and Nutrient Content
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Researchers tested how a corn starch-based bioplastic affects basil plants when mixed into soil at various concentrations. Higher bioplastic levels reduced plant growth and caused oxidative stress, while also changing the plants' antioxidant activity and altering nutrient uptake patterns. While bioplastics are promoted as eco-friendly alternatives to conventional plastics, this study suggests they can still stress plants and affect food crop quality when they accumulate in agricultural soil.
Physiological and biochemical responses of sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) to polyethylene micro- and nanoplastics exposure
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Scientists exposed basil plants to tiny plastic particles (micro- and nanoplastics) and found the plastics could travel up into the plant's stems and leaves, stunting root growth and causing cell damage and stress. This matters because basil is a common food crop, and this research suggests that plastic pollution in soil could work its way into the plants we eat—raising questions about how much of these plastics might end up on our plates, though more research is needed to understand the risks to human health.
Comparing the impact of microplastics derived from a biodegradable and a conventional plastic mulch on plant performance
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Researchers directly compared how microplastics from biodegradable and conventional plastic mulch films affect plant growth and found that biodegradable plastic particles actually reduced plant biomass more than conventional plastic particles in some cases. This challenges the assumption that biodegradable plastics are always safer for agriculture, since their breakdown products may still harm crops that end up in the human food supply.
Biochar alleviated the toxic effects of PVC microplastic in a soil-plant system by upregulating soil enzyme activities and microbial abundance
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Researchers tested whether adding biochar to soil could reduce the harmful effects of PVC microplastic contamination on plant growth and soil health. They found that biochar amendment increased plant biomass, restored soil enzyme activity, and boosted beneficial microbial populations that had been suppressed by the microplastics. The study suggests that biochar could serve as a practical tool for rehabilitating agricultural soils contaminated with plastic particles.
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