Papers

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Article Tier 2

Translocation of polystyrene nanoplastics in distinct plant species: Novel insight from a split-root system and transcriptomic analysis

Researchers used a split-root system to study how polystyrene nanoplastics move through cucumber and maize plants, finding that the particles travel from roots to shoots via xylem and redistribute back to roots via phloem. Cucumber roots accumulated more nanoplastics than maize, while maize showed greater redistribution from shoots back to roots. The study revealed that aquaporin proteins play a key role in regulating nanoplastic uptake and transport in plants.

2025 Journal of Hazardous Materials 7 citations
Article Tier 2

The distribution and impact of polystyrene nanoplastics on cucumber plants

Researchers investigated how polystyrene nanoplastics of four different sizes distribute within cucumber plants and affect root growth and fruit quality. They found that smaller particles accumulated more readily throughout the plant, moving from roots to leaves and fruit, and caused greater disruption to root physiology. The study suggests that nanoplastic contamination in agricultural soils could affect both crop development and food quality.

2020 Environmental Science and Pollution Research 253 citations
Article Tier 2

Insights into growth-affecting effect of nanomaterials: Using metabolomics and transcriptomics to reveal the molecular mechanisms of cucumber leaves upon exposure to polystyrene nanoplastics (PSNPs)

Researchers used advanced metabolomics and gene expression analysis to understand how polystyrene nanoplastics affect cucumber plant leaves. The study found that nanoplastic exposure altered key metabolic pathways and gene expression patterns, interfering with normal plant growth and physiology. The findings provide molecular-level evidence that airborne nanoplastics settling on crops could affect plant health and potentially food production.

2023 The Science of The Total Environment 41 citations
Article Tier 2

Transport Dynamicsand Physiological Responses ofPolystyrene Nanoplastics in Pakchoi: Implications for Food Safetyand Environmental Health

Researchers tracked the transport and physiological responses of polystyrene nanoplastics in pakchoi (bok choy) plants, finding that nanoplastics were absorbed through roots and translocated to shoots where they disrupted chlorophyll production and reduced plant growth.

2025 Figshare
Article Tier 2

Uptake and translocation of polystyrene nanoplastics in edible plants via root and foliar exposure: A qualitative imaging-based study

Researchers examined the uptake and movement of polystyrene nanoplastics in lettuce, carrot, and wheat following root and foliar exposure using confocal and electron microscopy. The study found that nanoplastics were internalized in root, stem, and leaf tissues of all three species, with lettuce showing the most extensive systemic transport including bidirectional movement, raising potential concerns for human exposure through crop consumption.

2025 Environmental Pollution 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Combination of transcriptomics, metabolomics and physiological traits reveals the effects of polystyrene microplastics on photosynthesis, carbon and nitrogen metabolism in cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.)

Researchers used transcriptomics and metabolomics to investigate how polystyrene microplastics affect photosynthesis and carbon-nitrogen metabolism in cucumber plants. The study found that both 5-micrometer and 0.1-micrometer particles reduced photosynthetic capacity and disrupted metabolic pathways, though they did so through different molecular mechanisms involving distinct gene expression changes.

2023 Plant Physiology and Biochemistry 40 citations
Article Tier 2

Physiological response of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) leaves to polystyrene nanoplastics pollution

Researchers exposed cucumber plants to polystyrene nanoplastics of four different sizes and found significant effects on photosynthesis, antioxidant systems, and sugar metabolism in the leaves. Smaller particles tended to reduce chlorophyll and photosynthetic activity, while larger particles triggered stronger oxidative stress responses. The study suggests that nanoplastic contamination in farmland soils could impair crop growth through multiple biochemical pathways.

2020 Chemosphere 317 citations
Article Tier 2

Transport Dynamics and Physiological Responses of Polystyrene Nanoplastics in Pakchoi: Implications for Food Safety and Environmental Health

Researchers tracked fluorescently labeled nanoplastics as they traveled through pakchoi (a leafy green vegetable), entering through the roots, moving up through the plant's water-transport system, and accumulating in the leaves. The nanoplastics caused oxidative damage and disrupted plant hormones, demonstrating a clear pathway by which plastic pollution in soil could enter the human food supply through everyday vegetables.

2025 Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry 18 citations
Article Tier 2

Visual observation of polystyrene nano-plastics in grape seedlings of Thompson Seedless and assessing their effects via transcriptomics and metabolomics

Researchers demonstrated for the first time that polystyrene nanoplastics can be absorbed by grapevine roots and transported throughout the plant, reaching the leaves. The nanoplastics disrupted the plants' metabolism and activated stress-response pathways. This finding is important because it shows nanoplastics from contaminated soil could enter the food chain through grapes and other fruit crops.

2024 Journal of Hazardous Materials 12 citations
Article Tier 2

Uptake and ecotoxicity of microplastics of different particle sizes in crop species

Researchers exposed seedlings of three crop species to small (0.2 µm) and large (1.0 µm) polystyrene beads and found that particle size did not affect fresh weight, but smaller particles caused significantly greater root length inhibition in cucumber compared to bean and sorghum.

2025 NanoImpact
Article Tier 2

Mechanistic insights into the effects of micro- and nano-plastics on cherry radish physiology and organic compound distribution at the soil-root interface.

Researchers exposed cherry radish to polyethylene microplastics (2 µm) and nanoplastics (200 nm) at varying concentrations and measured effects on plant physiology and organic compound distribution at the soil-root interface. Smaller nanoplastic particles caused greater disruption to root exudate chemistry and plant metabolism than the larger microplastics, pointing to a size-dependent toxicity mechanism.

2026 Plant physiology and biochemistry : PPB
Article Tier 2

Discrepancy of Growth Toxicity of Polystyrene Nanoplastics on Soybean (Glycine max) and Mung Bean (Vigna radiata)

Researchers compared how polystyrene nanoplastics affect soybean and mung bean plants grown in water and found that both crops suffered root growth suppression, but through different biological pathways. Soybeans showed more oxidative stress at lower doses, while mung beans were more resilient and only showed significant damage at higher concentrations. The study reveals that different crop species can vary widely in their vulnerability to nanoplastic contamination.

2024 Toxics 6 citations
Article Tier 2

Toxicity effects of nanoplastics on soybean (Glycine max L.): Mechanisms and transcriptomic analysis

Researchers exposed soybean plants to polystyrene nanoplastics and observed inhibited stem and root growth, increased oxidative stress, and disrupted photosynthesis. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that nanoplastics altered the expression of genes involved in plant stress responses, hormone signaling, and metabolic pathways. The study suggests that nanoplastic contamination in agricultural soils could negatively affect crop growth and yield at the molecular level.

2022 Chemosphere 61 citations
Article Tier 2

Soil-applied polystyrene nanoplastics (PSNPs) remain cortically confined but trigger systemic oxidative and metabolic disruption in Zea mays L. seedlings

Researchers studied how soil-applied polystyrene nanoplastics affect maize seedlings across a range of concentrations. The study found that while the nanoparticles remained confined to root surface tissues and did not penetrate deeper vascular tissue, they still triggered systemic oxidative stress and widespread metabolic disruption in shoots, suggesting that root-localized stress can cascade into whole-plant effects.

2026 The Science of The Total Environment
Article Tier 2

Transcriptome mechanisms of dandelion under stress of polystyrene and dibutyl phthalate and quantitative tracing of nanoplastics

Researchers traced how polystyrene nanoplastics move through dandelion roots via apoplastic pathways and the xylem, finding that co-exposure with the plasticizer dibutyl phthalate reduces particle accumulation but increases translocation to shoots, while transcriptomics revealed disruption of photosynthesis and hormone signaling pathways.

2024 The Science of The Total Environment 6 citations
Article Tier 2

Visual Trackingand Quantitative Analysis of PolystyreneNanoplastics Uptake and Transport across Various Tomato Varieties

Researchers tracked uptake and transport of polystyrene nanoplastics across six tomato cultivars, finding significant varietal differences in accumulation and growth inhibition, with Heinz 1706 being most resistant (13% inhibition) and Moneymaker most sensitive (32% inhibition). Nanoplastics accumulated preferentially in roots and near the xylem in stems and leaves, with shoot concentrations substantially lower than root concentrations.

2025 Figshare
Article Tier 2

Accumulation of nanoplastics by wheat seedling roots: Both passive and energy-consuming processes

This study investigated how wheat seedling roots absorb and transport polystyrene and PVC nanoplastics, finding that uptake occurred through both passive (energy-independent) and active (energy-consuming) processes. Root uptake efficiency varied by particle type and size, with implications for nanoplastic entry into the food chain via crop plants.

2024 Journal of Hazardous Materials 6 citations
Article Tier 2

Toxicological effects and molecular metabolic of polystyrene nanoplastics on soybean (Glycine max L.): Strengthening defense ability by enhancing secondary metabolisms

Researchers exposed soybean seedlings to polystyrene nanoplastics and found that the tiny particles were absorbed by the roots and transported throughout the plant. The nanoplastics caused oxidative stress and slowed growth, though the plants activated defense mechanisms through secondary metabolism. This is concerning because crops that absorb nanoplastics could transfer them to humans through the food supply.

2024 Environmental Pollution 12 citations
Article Tier 2

Uptake, Distribution, and Impact of Micro- and Nano-Plastics in Horticultural Systems Using Lettuce (Lactuca sativa) as a Model Crop

Researchers studied how micro- and nanoplastics are taken up and distributed in lettuce grown in horticultural systems, finding that nanopolystyrene exposures significantly inhibited leaf and root development in a concentration-dependent manner. They optimized extraction methods for quantifying microplastics in soil and developed a synthesis procedure for nanoplastic test particles. The study demonstrates that plastic fragments from horticultural materials can accumulate in soil and affect crop growth, raising concerns about food safety.

2026
Article Tier 2

Unveiling the impact of microplastics and nanoplastics on vascular plants: A cellular metabolomic and transcriptomic review

This review summarizes how microplastics and nanoplastics affect plant health at the cellular and genetic level, disrupting metabolism, nutrient uptake, and growth in vascular plants. Since contaminated crops are a pathway for microplastics to enter the human diet, understanding how plants absorb and respond to these particles is important for food safety.

2024 Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety 35 citations
Article Tier 2

The review of nanoplastics in plants: Detection, analysis, uptake, migration and risk

This review examines how nanoplastics are detected, analyzed, taken up by plants, and migrate through plant tissues from roots to edible parts. As nanoplastics are found in agricultural soils, understanding how they enter food crops is critical for assessing human dietary exposure.

2023 Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Article Tier 2

Uptake and translocation of nano/microplastics by rice seedlings: Evidence from a hydroponic experiment

In a hydroponic experiment, researchers showed that both nano-sized (80 nm) and micro-sized (1 micrometer) polystyrene particles were absorbed by rice plant roots and transported up into stems and leaves. The particles traveled through the plant's vascular system and accumulated in cell walls and between cells. This finding is concerning because it demonstrates that microplastics in soil and water can enter food crops like rice and potentially reach people through their diet.

2021 Journal of Hazardous Materials 366 citations
Article Tier 2

Response of rice (Oryza sativa L.) roots to nanoplastic treatment at seedling stage

Researchers exposed rice seedlings to polystyrene nanoplastics and found that the particles were taken up by the roots, aided by water-transporting proteins in the plant. The nanoplastics triggered oxidative stress, reduced root length, and disrupted carbon metabolism and hormone production in the seedlings. The study raises concerns that nanoplastic contamination in agricultural soils could affect crop growth and potentially enter the human food supply through rice consumption.

2020 Journal of Hazardous Materials 411 citations
Article Tier 2

Impact of nanoplastics uptake on modulation of plant metabolism and stress responses: a multi-omics perspective on remediation and tolerance mechanisms

Researchers reviewed how nanoplastics accumulate in plant tissues and disrupt metabolism, finding that these particles impair nutrient uptake, trigger reactive oxygen species overproduction, and alter gene and protein expression, while multi-omics approaches are revealing the molecular stress-response networks that plants use to tolerate or remediate nanoplastic contamination.

2026 Physiology and Molecular Biology of Plants