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The combined effects of nanoplastics and dibutyl phthalate on Streptomyces coelicolor M145
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Researchers examined the combined toxicity of nanoplastics and the plasticizer dibutyl phthalate on Streptomyces coelicolor, finding that their co-exposure produces different effects than either contaminant alone, highlighting concerns about combined plastic-related pollution.
The environmental and human health risks posed by nanoplastics have attracted considerable attention; however, research on the combined toxicity of nanoplastics and plasticizers is limited. This study analyzed the combined effects of nanoplastics and dibutyl phthalate (DBP) on Streptomyces coelicolor M145 (herein referred to as M145) and its mechanism. The results demonstrated that when the concentration of both nanoplastics and DBP was 1 mg/L, the co-addition was not toxic to M145. When the DBP concentration increased to 5 mg/L, the combined toxicity of 1 mg/L nanoplastics and 5 mg/L DBP reduced when compared to the 5 mg/L DBP treatment group. Similarly, the combined toxicity of 10 mg/L nanoplastics and 1 mg/L DBP on M145 was also lower than that of only 10 mg/L nanoplastics. The co-addition of 10 mg/L nanoplastics and 5 mg/L DBP resulted in the lowest survival rate (41.3%). The key reason for differences in cytotoxicity were variations in the agglomeration of nanoplastics and the adsorption of DBP on nanoplastics. The combination of 10 mg/L nanoplastics and 5 mg/L DBP maximized the production of antibiotics; actinorhodin and undecylprodigiosin yields were 3.5 and 1.8-fold higher than that of the control, respectively. This indicates that the excessive production of antibiotics may be a protective mechanism for bacteria. This study provides a new perspective for assessing the risk of co-exposure to nanoplastics and organic contaminants on microorganisms in nature.
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Researchers used yeast functional genomics to investigate the combined toxicity of polystyrene nano- and microplastics with the antimicrobial compound triclosan. They found that the combined exposure produced synergistic toxic effects that were more harmful than either contaminant alone, disrupting cellular processes related to membrane integrity and protein function. The study provides molecular-level evidence that microplastics may amplify the toxicity of co-occurring chemical pollutants.
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Researchers examined whether polyethylene microplastics alter the toxicity of the plasticizer diisobutyl phthalate (DiBP) on saline soil microorganisms by testing combinations of both pollutants at two concentrations. PE microplastics enhanced DiBP toxicity to soil microbial communities, suggesting that co-contamination of saline agricultural soils poses greater risks than either pollutant alone.
Combined toxicity of microplastic fibers and dibutyl phthalate on algae: Synergistic or antagonistic?
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This study found that when microplastic fibers and the plasticizer DBP (a chemical commonly added to plastics) are combined, they cause more damage to freshwater algae than either pollutant alone. The combination produced a synergistic toxic effect, meaning the harm was greater than simply adding the effects of each pollutant together. Since both microplastic fibers and plasticizers are widespread in freshwater environments, their combined presence could threaten the base of aquatic food chains.
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This study compared the individual and combined toxicity of nanoplastics and bisphenol compounds in biological test systems, finding synergistic effects at certain exposure combinations. The results indicate that co-exposure to these two common plastic-associated contaminants may be more harmful than either alone.
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