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Integrated Biomarker, Histopathological and Genotoxicity‐Based Toxicological Evaluation of Polystyrene and Polyethylene Microplastics in Oreochromis mossambicus
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Researchers exposed Mozambique tilapia to polystyrene and polyethylene microplastics and found dose-dependent accumulation in gill, gut, and liver tissues. Polyethylene proved significantly more toxic, causing greater oxidative stress, metabolic disruption, and chromosomal damage as measured by micronucleus assays. The study provides evidence that different polymer types can have markedly different toxicological impacts on freshwater fish.
Microplastic (MPs) pollution has emerged as a critical environmental stressor with growing implications for freshwater ecosystems. This study investigates the sub-lethal toxicological effects of polystyrene (PS-MPs) and polyethylene microplastics (PE-MPs) on Oreochromis mossambicus under controlled laboratory conditions. Acute toxicity tests established the 96-h LC50 values, identifying PE-MPs as significantly more toxic than PS-MPs. Sub-lethal concentrations-15.33, 30.66, and 76.34 mg/L for PE-MPs and 50, 250, and 500 mg/L for PS-MPs-were selected based on the LC50 values and applied in a 14-day semi-static exposure set-up. Tissue-specific MPs accumulation analysis revealed a dose-dependent retention of MPs in gill, gastrointestinal, and liver tissues. Biochemical assays indicated significant disruptions in oxidative stress markers and metabolic enzymes. Significant increases in catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) levels were observed, along with alterations in alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and essential macromolecules (proteins, carbohydrates), indicating oxidative and metabolic stress. Genotoxicity, assessed by the micronucleus assay, demonstrated a concentration-dependent increase in micronucleated erythrocytes, indicative of chromosomal damage. Histopathological evaluations of gill and intestinal tissues revealed MPs-induced structural alterations, supporting the observed altered biochemical and genotoxic responses. These findings offer mechanistic insights into the sub-lethal toxicity of MPs, highlighting their potential to induce oxidative imbalance, genotoxicity, and histoarchitectural damage in tilapia. The study underscores the urgent need for comprehensive risk assessments and mitigation strategies to address microplastic contamination in inland aquatic systems.
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Biochemical, Genotoxic and Histological Implications of Polypropylene Microplastics on Freshwater Fish Oreochromis mossambicus: An Aquatic Eco-Toxicological Assessment
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Researchers fed polypropylene microplastics to freshwater tilapia and found they caused oxidative stress, DNA damage, and liver tissue deterioration, with more severe effects after 14 days compared to acute 96-hour exposure. The microplastics disrupted antioxidant enzyme systems and neurotransmitter activity in the fish. The study demonstrates that prolonged microplastic ingestion poses a significant ecological threat to freshwater fish species.
Comprehensive Organ-specific Assessment of Biomarkers, Histopathological Alterations, Bioaccumulation and Genotoxicity Responses of Mozambique tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus) exposed to Polyvinyl chloride Microplastics.
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Juvenile tilapia fish were exposed to PVC microplastics in water for 14 days, with the particles building up most in gills, then gut, liver and muscle. Exposure caused oxidative stress, liver enzyme changes, blood cell abnormalities, chromosomal damage and gill tissue injury, with effects worsening at higher concentrations.
Toxicological Assessment of Polypropylene Microplastics in Male Nile Tilapia ( Oreochromis niloticus ): Growth, Hematological, and Histopathological Insights
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Nile tilapia fish were exposed to small plastic particles called polypropylene microplastics in water for 28 days at different levels. Fish in the highest exposure group showed slower growth, changes in blood cells, signs of stress, and damage to gills, liver and intestine tissue.
Toxicological effects of nano- and micro-polystyrene plastics on red tilapia: Are larger plastic particles more harmless?
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Researchers exposed red tilapia to three sizes of polystyrene particles (0.3, 5, and 70-90 micrometers) to compare their toxic effects. The study found that the largest particles showed the highest accumulation in tissues, but all sizes induced oxidative stress, disrupted cytochrome P450 enzymes, caused neurotoxicity, and altered metabolic profiles, indicating that even smaller nanoplastics can cause significant harm to fish.
Sub-chronic exposure of Oreochromis niloticus to environmentally relevant concentrations of smaller microplastics: Accumulation and toxico-physiological responses
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Researchers exposed Nile tilapia to low, environmentally relevant concentrations of polystyrene microplastics for 14 days and found the particles accumulated in multiple organs including the brain, liver, and reproductive tissues. The fish showed changes in blood chemistry, increased stress hormones, and signs of liver and kidney dysfunction. These results suggest that even realistic levels of microplastic pollution can cause measurable physiological harm in fish.
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