We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Do Microplastics Enter Our Food Chain Via Root Vegetables? A Raman Based Spectroscopic Study on Raphanus sativus
Summary
Raman spectroscopy analysis of radish (Raphanus sativus) plants grown in microplastic-contaminated soil detected plastic microparticles within root tissue, providing evidence that certain root vegetables can take up microplastics from soil into edible parts.
The outburst of plastic pollution in terrestrial ecosystems poses a potential threat to agriculture and food safety. Studies have already provided evidence for the uptake of plastic microparticles by several plant species, accompanied by numerous developmental effects, using fluorescence labelling techniques. Here, we introduce the implementation of confocal Raman spectroscopy, a label-free method, for the effective detection of microplastics (MPs) accumulation in the roots of a common edible root vegetable plant, Raphanus sativus, after treatment with acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) powder. We also demonstrate the concomitant occurrence of phenotypic defects in the polymer-treated plants. We anticipate that this work can provide new insights not only into the extent of the impact this widespread phenomenon has on crop plants but also on the methodological requirements to address it.
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
Identification and detection of label-free polystyrene microplastics in maize seedlings by Raman spectroscopy
Researchers developed a label-free method to detect and identify polystyrene microplastics in maize seedling tissues using spectroscopic techniques, confirming that plant roots can take up plastic particles from contaminated soil. The approach enables tracking microplastic uptake pathways in crops without chemical labeling.
Determination of extractable pollutants from microplastics to vegetables: Accumulation and incorporation into the food chain
Researchers developed a method to detect plastic-related chemical compounds that leach into vegetables, finding that root vegetables contained higher levels of these contaminants than non-root varieties. The study identified 16 quantifiable plastic-associated compounds in the samples, including potentially harmful substances like styrene and phthalates. The findings raise concerns about how microplastics in soil may introduce chemical pollutants into the food chain through crop uptake.
Polystyrene Nanoplastics Compromise the Nutritional Value of Radish (Raphanus sativus L.)
Researchers found that polystyrene nanoplastics accumulated in radish roots and peels, reducing the vegetable's nutritional quality by disrupting its metabolism at the genetic level. When the contaminated radish was put through a simulated human digestion process, the nanoplastics were released and could potentially be absorbed by the body. This study shows how nanoplastics in soil can reduce the nutritional value of crops and create a direct route of human exposure through everyday vegetables.
Microplastic Uptake in Vegetables: Sources, Mechanisms, Transport and Food Safety
This review summarizes current knowledge on how microplastics enter vegetables through soil, water, and air, and how they are transported within plant tissues. Researchers found that microplastics can be taken up through roots and move to edible parts, with uptake varying by plant species, particle size, and soil conditions. The findings highlight that vegetable consumption may be an important but underrecognized pathway for human microplastic exposure.
Determining the accumulation potential of nanoplastics in crops: An investigation of 14C-labelled polystyrene nanoplastic into radishes
Researchers used a radioactive labeling technique to track nanoplastics as they moved through radish plants, demonstrating for the first time that these particles can accumulate in edible tissues. About 25% of the nanoplastics absorbed by the roots were found in the edible fleshy root, with another 10% reaching the shoots. The findings highlight a potential pathway for human exposure to nanoplastics through everyday vegetables.