Papers

What are the global patterns of microplastic ingestion by fish? A scientometric review

This review summarizes global research on microplastic ingestion by fish and finds that contamination is widespread across aquatic ecosystems, with fibers and fragments being the most commonly ingested shapes. The study highlights that fish higher on the food chain tend to accumulate more microplastics, which matters for human health since many of these species are commonly consumed as seafood.

Influence of soil microplastic contamination and cadmium toxicity on the growth, physiology, and root growth traits of Triticum aestivum L.

Researchers grew wheat plants in soil contaminated with polyethylene microplastics, the toxic heavy metal cadmium, or both, finding that combined exposure caused the worst damage — shrinking root area, reducing gas exchange in leaves, and lowering key growth indicators. These findings raise concerns about crop yields in farmland where plastic pollution and heavy metal contamination overlap, which is increasingly common.

Pollutants, microbiota and immune system: frenemies within the gut

This review summarizes how environmental pollutants, including microplastics, disrupt the gut microbiome and immune system, potentially contributing to inflammatory bowel diseases and colorectal cancer. Pollutants reduce beneficial gut bacteria while promoting inflammation, weakening the intestinal barrier, and triggering a chain of events that can push cells toward cancerous growth.

Discovering untapped microbial communities through metagenomics for microplastic remediation: recent advances, challenges, and way forward

This review explores how metagenomic approaches are uncovering microbial communities capable of degrading microplastics in various environments. Researchers found that diverse bacteria and fungi in soil, water, and waste systems produce enzymes that can break down plastic polymers, though degradation rates remain slow. The study highlights metagenomics as a powerful tool for discovering new biological solutions to microplastic pollution.

Lignocellulosic biomass from agricultural waste to the circular economy: a review with focus on biofuels, biocomposites and bioplastics

This review examines how agricultural waste rich in lignocellulose can be converted into biofuels, biocomposites, and bioplastics as sustainable alternatives to petroleum-based products. Recent advances in biorefinery technology have improved the ability to process plant-based waste into a range of useful materials. Replacing conventional plastics with bioplastics from agricultural waste could help reduce both plastic pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.

The Zebrafish as an Alternative Animal Model for Ecotoxicological Research and Testing

This review highlights zebrafish as a valuable model for studying the toxic effects of environmental contaminants, including microplastics, because they share many biological pathways with humans. Zebrafish embryos, larvae, and adults can be used to screen for harmful effects of pollutants quickly and at multiple life stages. The approach helps researchers understand how microplastics and other environmental contaminants might affect human health without requiring direct human testing.

Integrated occurrence of contaminants of emerging concern, including microplastics, in urban and agricultural watersheds in the State of São Paulo, Brazil

Researchers measured contamination from microplastics and other emerging pollutants in both urban and agricultural watersheds in the Brazilian state of Sao Paulo. They found microplastics in all sampled locations, along with pesticides, caffeine, and other chemicals, with pollution patterns differing between urban and farming areas. The study shows that microplastic contamination is widespread in Brazilian water systems used for drinking and irrigation, contributing to human exposure through multiple pathways.

Biofragmentation of Polystyrene Microplastics: A Silent Process Performed by <i>Chironomus sancticaroli</i> Larvae

Researchers discovered that freshwater insect larvae (Chironomus sancticaroli) can break polystyrene microplastics into even smaller pieces in lake and river sediments. While this biological breakdown could help reduce microplastic size, it also creates smaller fragments that may be easier for other organisms to ingest. The process also caused oxidative stress in the larvae themselves, showing that microplastics harm the very creatures that help break them down.

Can the insects Galleria mellonella and Tenebrio molitor be the future of plastic biodegradation?

This review examines recent discoveries about how wax moth and mealworm larvae can break down common plastics using enzymes in their saliva and gut microorganisms. Researchers found that these insects offer a promising biological alternative to traditional plastic disposal methods like landfilling and incineration, which themselves contribute to microplastic pollution. The study highlights key challenges including the need for standardized testing methods and proposes innovative ideas like using insects as living bioreactors for plastic waste processing.

Microplastic contamination in the highly polluted Tietê River (São Paulo, Brazil): an unsustainable human-nature relationship

Researchers analyzed microplastic contamination in the Tiete River downstream of Sao Paulo, one of the most polluted rivers in Brazil. They found microplastics in both water and sediment samples across wet and dry seasons, with fibers and fragments being the dominant types. The study confirms that heavily urbanized areas are major sources of microplastic pollution that contaminates downstream river ecosystems.

Microbial Inoculants and Fertilizer Reduction in Sorghum Cultivation: Implications for Sustainable Agriculture

This greenhouse study found that sorghum plants treated with microbial inoculants (Bacillus and Trichoderma species) at 80% fertilizer performed comparably to plants receiving 100% fertilizer for most growth parameters. While microbial treatments did not significantly boost growth beyond controls, the results suggest potential for reducing chemical fertilizer use without sacrificing yield.

A critical review on biofuels generation from pulp-paper mill sludge with emphasis on pretreatment methods: renewable energy for environmental sustainability

This review explores how sludge waste from pulp and paper mills can be converted into renewable biofuels such as bioethanol, biomethane, and biodiesel through various pretreatment and biorefining methods. Turning this industrial waste into energy could reduce both landfill burden and environmental pollution while creating a sustainable fuel source.

Maternal exposure to phthalates and nanoplastics, isolated or combined: Impacts on placental structure, development, and antioxidant defense as a trigger for maternal-fetal adversities

Researchers exposed pregnant rats to a mixture of phthalates and nanoplastics, both separately and in combination, to study effects on the placenta and fetal development. They found that combined exposure caused more severe damage to placental structure and antioxidant defenses than either contaminant alone. The study suggests that simultaneous exposure to these common plastic-derived pollutants during pregnancy may compound risks to maternal and fetal health.

Microplastics and 17α Ethinylestradiol: How Do Different Aquatic Invertebrates Respond to This Combination of Contaminants?

Researchers tested how microplastics combined with the synthetic hormone ethinylestradiol, a common contraceptive ingredient found in wastewater, affect two tropical estuarine species: oysters and crabs. They found that microplastics carrying the hormone increased toxic effects compared to either pollutant alone, causing oxidative stress and cellular damage across multiple organs. The study suggests that the combination of microplastics and hormone pollutants in waterways may pose greater risks to aquatic life than previously recognized.

Exposure of the amphipod Hyalella azteca to microplastics. A study on subtoxic responses and particle biofragmentation

Scientists exposed freshwater amphipods (Hyalella azteca) to polystyrene microplastics and observed subtle but measurable effects on the animals' behavior and biology even at concentrations below those causing visible harm. Importantly, the amphipods physically broke down the microplastics into much smaller fragments through ingestion and digestion. The study highlights that animals in the environment may be actively generating nanoplastics from microplastics, accelerating the fragmentation of plastic pollution.

Effects of Post-Ruminal Urea Supplementation during the Seasonal Period on Performance and Rumen Microbiome of Rearing Grazing Nellore Cattle

Post-ruminal urea supplementation in grazing Nellore cattle during the dry season did not significantly improve weight gain or feed efficiency compared to conventional urea supplementation. Rumen microbiome composition remained similar across treatments, suggesting the bypass urea approach offers limited advantages under these conditions.

Microplastic ingestion and co-exposure to Nosema ceranae and flupyradifurone reduce the survival of honey bees (Apis mellifera L.)

Researchers studied the combined effects of microplastics, the insecticide flupyradifurone, and the gut parasite Nosema ceranae on honey bee health. They found that all treatments reduced bee survival compared to controls, with the three-way combination being the most harmful, and that microplastics and the pesticide increased parasite reproduction. The study suggests that microplastics may worsen the effects of other stressors on bee health, compounding existing threats to pollinators.

Multiple endpoints of polylactic acid biomicroplastic toxicity in adult zebrafish (Danio rerio)

First report on the toxicity of SARS-CoV-2, alone and in combination with polyethylene microplastics in neotropical fish

Researchers evaluated the ecotoxicological effects of inactivated SARS-CoV-2 and polyethylene microplastics, both alone and in combination, on the neotropical fish Poecilia reticulata over 15 days. The study suggests that exposure to these contaminants from sewage may affect aquatic organisms, highlighting the need to understand how pandemic-related pollutants interact with existing environmental contaminants like microplastics in aquatic ecosystems.

Deleterious Effects of Polypropylene Microplastic Ingestion in Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)

Researchers fed Nile tilapia daily doses of polypropylene microplastics for 30 days and observed significant health effects including changes in blood cell counts, altered gut bacteria, and tissue damage to the intestines and liver. The higher dose group showed more pronounced effects, including elevated inflammatory markers and signs of oxidative stress. The study provides evidence that chronic ingestion of microplastics commonly found in aquatic environments can cause meaningful harm to a widely consumed fish species.

Hazard of polystyrene micro-and nanospheres to selected aquatic and terrestrial organisms

Researchers reviewed 294 studies on the toxicity of polystyrene micro- and nanospheres to various organisms including microorganisms, invertebrates, fish, and plants. The study found that aquatic invertebrates were the most studied group, nanosized particles received more attention than microsized ones, and roughly 40% of the data showed no observable effects on organisms.

Polymyxin Resistance in Salmonella: Exploring Mutations and Genetic Determinants of Non-Human Isolates

Researchers screened over 1,100 Salmonella samples from animals, food, and the environment in Brazil for resistance to polymyxin antibiotics, which are considered last-resort treatments for serious infections. They identified several strains carrying both chromosomal mutations and mobile resistance genes that could spread between bacteria. The findings highlight the growing challenge of antibiotic resistance emerging from non-human sources in the food production chain.

Circular economy, bioeconomy, and sustainable development goals: a systematic literature review

Researchers conducted a systematic review of 649 studies examining how circular economy and bioeconomy concepts contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. They found that while these approaches show promise for addressing environmental challenges including plastic waste, most research has focused on a limited set of goals and lacks empirical data. The study identifies key research gaps, including the need for more studies on economic and social impacts in developing countries.

Cellulose-Reinforced Polylactic Acid Composites for Three-Dimensional Printing Using Polyethylene Glycol as an Additive: A Comprehensive Review

This comprehensive review examined how cellulose-reinforced polylactic acid composites with polyethylene glycol additives can be used for 3D printing as biodegradable alternatives to petroleum-based plastics. The research found that these bio-based materials show promise for reducing plastic waste, though challenges remain in matching the mechanical properties of conventional plastics.