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Nanoplastic impacts on the foliar uptake, metabolism and phytotoxicity of phthalate esters in corn (Zea mays L.) plants
Summary
Researchers investigated how amino-functionalized polystyrene nanoplastics affect the foliar uptake, metabolism, and toxicity of phthalate esters in corn seedlings. The study found that nanoplastics increased the accumulation of phthalate esters in leaves and altered their metabolic pathways within the plant. The findings suggest that nanoplastic pollution may amplify the phytotoxicity of co-occurring chemical pollutants in agricultural settings.
Nanoplastic pollution in terrestrial plants is of increasing concern for its negative effects on living organisms. However, the impacts of nanoplastics on chemical processes and plant physiology of phthalate esters (PAEs) remain unclear. The present work offers insight into the foliar uptake, metabolism and phytotoxicity of two typical PAEs, namely, di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP) and di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), in corn (Zea mays L.) seedlings and the effects of amino-functionalized polystyrene nanoplastics (PSNPs-NH). The presence of PSNPs-NH increased DBP and DEHP accumulation in the leaves by 1.36 and 1.32 times, respectively. PSNPs-NH also promoted the leaf-to-root translocation of DBP and DEHP, with the translocation factor increasing by approximately 1.05- and 1.16-fold, respectively. Furthermore, the addition of PSNPs-NH significantly enhanced the transformation of PAEs to their primary metabolites, mono-butyl phthalate and mono(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate in corn leaves and roots. The co-presence of PSNPs-NH and PAEs showed stronger impairment of photosystem II efficiency via the downregulation of transporter D1 protein, thus exhibiting a greater inhibitory effect on plant growth. Our findings reveal that nanoplastics promote the foliar uptake and transformation of PAE chemicals in crops and exacerbate their toxicity to crop plants, thereby threatening agricultural safety and human health.