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Dynamics of accumulation and multilevel biological effects of various alkyl chain phthalates and microplastics in rye: New insights into individual, physiological, and molecular perspectives
Summary
Researchers studied the combined toxicity of three phthalate esters with different alkyl chain lengths and polystyrene microplastics on rye plants, finding that MP presence amplified the phytotoxicity of longer-chain phthalates. The results demonstrate that microplastics can act as carriers that enhance the uptake and toxicity of co-occurring chemical contaminants in crops.
Phthalate esters (PAEs) and microplastics (MPs) are emerging contaminants of concern to crop safety and human health, yet their combined effects on plants are poorly understood. This study systematically investigated the ecological toxicity of three PAEs with varying alkyl chain lengths (DEHP, DBP, DEP) in the presence of 200 nm polystyrene microplastics (PS-MPs) on rye (Secale cereale L.), integrating physiological, microscopic, transcriptomic, and molecular interaction analyses. Results demonstrated that all PAEs posed ecological risks, with short-chain DEP exhibiting significantly higher toxicity than DBP or DEHP. PS-MPs were found to aggravate the phytotoxicity of DEP. Fluorescence and electron microscopy revealed that DEHP enhanced the uptake and translocation of PS-MPs in rye tissues. Molecular docking suggested distinct interaction modes of DEP, DBP, and DEHP with detoxification-related proteins, which may contribute to their differences in toxicity and mobility. Adsorption kinetics indicated that PS-MPs strongly adsorbed DEHP, reducing its bioavailability. Transcriptomic analysis linked changes in key pathways-including MAPK signaling, hormone synthesis, antioxidant defense, and photosynthesis-to the observed physiological disruptions. Overall, this work elucidates the accumulation and transport mechanisms of co-existing PAEs and PS-MPs in crops, highlighting that short-chain PAEs like DEP may present higher risks in agricultural systems when combined with microplastics.