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Effects of Virgin Microplastics on Growth, Intestinal Morphology and Microbiota on Largemouth Bass (Micropterus salmoides)
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Researchers found that exposure to virgin microplastics at environmentally relevant concentrations impaired growth, caused intestinal morphological damage, and altered gut microbiota composition in largemouth bass, suggesting that microplastic ingestion poses health risks in commercially important aquaculture species.
Microplastics (MPs), classified as plastic debris less than 5 mm in size, are widely found in various aquatic environments. However, there have been few studies regarding their potential threat under aquaculture conditions. The aim of this study was to investigate the general health, intestinal morphology and microbiota of virgin polypropylene MPs (3–4 mm) on largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) over a 28-d exposure period. Four groups were divided according to whether the MPs were added in water or in food. The results disproved the hypothesis that MPs expose may adversely affect the growth of fish. Largemouth bass expelled MPs with minimal harm to the organism. MPs exposure had no significant effect on the community composition or diversity of intestinal microbial, although it could partly influence intestinal morphology, and the recombination process of the intestinal microbial community. Fish may be more sensitive to answer MPs exposure in water than in feed. Proteobacteria could potentially be pathogenic bacteria phylum in fish gut when affected by MPs. This research represents an innovative attempt to investigate the impact of virgin MPs on largemouth bass using a manipulative feeding experiment. The results could provide new insight on commercial fish health when challenged with MPs pollution.
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Effect of virgin low density polyethylene microplastic ingestion on intestinal histopathology and microbiota of gilthead sea bream
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Researchers fed gilthead sea bream diets containing virgin low-density polyethylene microplastics of two different size ranges for 30 days to assess intestinal effects. They found that microplastic ingestion caused histopathological damage to the intestinal lining and altered the composition of gut microbiota. The study suggests that even virgin microplastics without adsorbed contaminants can disrupt fish intestinal health and microbial balance.
Effects of polystyrene nanoplastics on oxidative stress, histopathology and intestinal microbiota in largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides)
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Researchers exposed largemouth bass — a commercially important freshwater fish — to polystyrene nanoplastics (tiny plastic particles 100 nanometers in size) for up to 19 days, finding tissue damage in the gills, liver, and intestines along with elevated markers of cellular stress. While growth was not significantly affected, the fish adjusted their gut microbiome in response, suggesting nanoplastics trigger adaptive but potentially harmful physiological changes.
Intestinal alterations in European sea bass Dicentrarchus labrax (Linnaeus, 1758) exposed to microplastics: Preliminary results
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Researchers fed European sea bass diets containing virgin and pollutant-contaminated PVC microplastic pellets for 90 days and examined the effects on their intestines. They found moderate tissue damage and increased mucus cell activity in fish exposed to both types of microplastics, with pollutant-laden particles causing the most pronounced changes. The study provides early evidence that chronic microplastic ingestion can alter gut health in commercially important fish species.
Species-specific effects of microplastics on juvenile fishes
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Researchers found that microplastic effects on juvenile fish are species-specific, with carnivorous largemouth bass showing more severe intestinal morphological damage and inflammatory responses compared to herbivorous grass carp and omnivorous Jian carp.
Adverse effects of polystyrene microplastics in the freshwater commercial fish, grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella): Emphasis on physiological response and intestinal microbiome
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Researchers exposed grass carp to different sizes and concentrations of polystyrene microplastics for up to 14 days, followed by a depuration period, and assessed physiological and intestinal microbiome effects. The study found that microplastics caused histological damage, oxidative stress, and shifts in gut microbial communities, with smaller particles and higher concentrations producing more severe effects.
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