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Species-dependent response of food crops to polystyrene nanoplastics and microplastics

The Science of The Total Environment 2021 184 citations ? Citation count from OpenAlex, updated daily. May differ slightly from the publisher's own count. Score: 60 ? 0–100 AI score estimating relevance to the microplastics field. Papers below 30 are filtered from public browse.

Wei Zhang Wei Zhang Mengyun Jiang, Wenwen Gong, Li Xu, Wenwen Gong, Li Xu, Wenwen Gong, Wenwen Gong, Wenwen Gong, Li Xu, Mengyun Jiang, Wei Zhang Wei Zhang Qingwei Bu, Wei Zhang Li Xu, Li Xu, Wenwen Gong, Li Xu, Wei Zhang Wei Zhang Wenwen Gong, Li Xu, Li Xu, Mengyun Jiang, Mengyun Jiang, Anxiang Lu, Anxiang Lu, Wei Zhang Li Xu, Wei Zhang Gang Liang, Gang Liang, Li Xu, Shasha Li, Wei Zhang Li Xu, Wei Zhang Li Xu, Mengyun Jiang, Wei Zhang Wei Zhang Li Xu, Li Xu, Wenwen Gong, Li Xu, Wei Zhang Wenwen Gong, Li Xu, Wei Zhang Gang Liang, Wei Zhang Wei Zhang Li Xu, Li Xu, Li Xu, Li Xu, Qingwei Bu, Li Xu, Li Xu, Li Xu, Wei Zhang Li Xu, Wei Zhang Wei Zhang Wei Zhang Gang Liang, Anxiang Lu, Qingwei Bu, Li Xu, Li Xu, Wenwen Gong, Li Xu, Wei Zhang Li Xu, Li Xu, Wenwen Gong, Wei Zhang Wei Zhang Li Xu, Hong Zhu, Anxiang Lu, Hong Zhu, Li Xu, Wei Zhang Li Xu, Li Xu, Li Xu, Hong Zhu, Li Xu, Li Xu, Li Xu, Wenwen Gong, Li Xu, Li Xu, Li Xu, Anxiang Lu, Wenwen Gong, Wenwen Gong, Wenwen Gong, Wei Zhang

Summary

Researchers exposed seeds of four common food crops to polystyrene nanoplastics and microplastics and found that the effects varied significantly depending on the plant species. Italian lettuce was the most sensitive, with germination rates dropping by up to 36%, while radish and wheat were largely unaffected. The study also found evidence that nanoplastics can be absorbed by plant roots within the first week of growth, raising questions about food safety implications.

Polymers

This study investigated the early responses of four common food crops (Italian lettuce, radish, wheat and corn) by exposing their seeds to suspensions of polystyrene nanoparticles (nano-PS) and microspheres (micro-PS). We found that the crop responses to exposure to nano-PS and micro-PS at different doses were dependent on the plant species. Among the four species, Italian lettuce was the most sensitive crop in terms of seed germination and its germination index after polystyrene exposure for 7 days was inhibited by 18.2%-36.0% compared with that of the control (p < 0.05). The root growth (root dry weight, root/shoot ratio and root length) of Italian lettuce and corn was significantly inhibited by the exposure treatment (p < 0.05), whereas that of radish and wheat was hardly affected. Analyses of antioxidant enzymatic activities, lipid peroxidation, and integrated biomarker indexes confirmed that the toxic effects of nano-PS and micro-PS on crops are likely due to oxidative stress. The observed distribution of fluorescent nano-PS in the roots or germs of the tested crops suggests that nanoplastics can be taken up by plants even at a very early growth stage (<7 days after sowing). Future research is needed in order to obtain more insights into their implications for agricultural sustainability and food safety.

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