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)

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)

AI summary · Read the abstract

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.

Physiological and Biochemical Effects of Polystyrene Micro/Nano Plastics on Arabidopsis Thaliana

The effects of Micro/Nano-plastics exposure on plants and their toxic mechanisms: A review from multi-omics perspectives.

AI summary · Read the abstract

A multi-omics review of micro/nanoplastic effects on plants found that plastic exposure disrupts gene expression, protein function, and metabolic pathways across multiple plant systems, with potential consequences for crop yield and agricultural food safety.

From soil to shoot plant responses to polystyrene nanoplastics and relevance for sustainable food systems

AI summary · Read the abstract

Tiny plastic particles from broken-down polystyrene (a common plastic) can be absorbed by plant roots and leaves, sometimes building up in the parts we actually eat, like grains and leafy greens. This review of existing research found that some crops (rice, lettuce, garlic) are harmed by these plastics, showing stress and stunted growth, while others (wheat) seem more resistant, meaning the risk to our food supply likely depends on what we're growing. The bottom line: we need better testing methods to understand how much of this plastic is ending up on our plates and what that means for our health.

Combination of transcriptomics, metabolomics and physiological traits reveals the effects of polystyrene microplastics on photosynthesis, carbon and nitrogen metabolism in cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.)

AI summary · Read the abstract

Researchers used transcriptomics and metabolomics to investigate how polystyrene microplastics affect photosynthesis and carbon-nitrogen metabolism in cucumber plants. The study found that both 5-micrometer and 0.1-micrometer particles reduced photosynthetic capacity and disrupted metabolic pathways, though they did so through different molecular mechanisms involving distinct gene expression changes.