Polystyrene Nanoplastics in Grape Seedlings: Effects on Genes and Metabolism

Jenn Hoskins
23rd August, 2024

Polystyrene Nanoplastics in Grape Seedlings: Effects on Genes and Metabolism

Image Source: Natural Science News, 2024

Key Findings

  • The study by the Xinjiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences found that polystyrene nanoplastics (PS-NPs) can be absorbed by grapevine roots and transported to stems and leaves
  • Advanced imaging techniques revealed that PS-NPs accumulate on the cell walls of grapevine roots, stems, and leaves, indicating upward transport through the plant's xylem
  • The presence of PS-NPs significantly affected several molecular pathways in grapevines, including hormone signaling and biosynthesis processes, suggesting potential ecological risks
Micro/nano-plastics (MNPs) are emerging pollutants that pose significant threats to ecosystems. The Xinjiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences recently conducted a study to investigate the effects of polystyrene nanoplastics (PS-NPs) on grapevines, specifically Thompson Seedless (TS, Vitis vinifera L.)[1]. This study aimed to fill the knowledge gap regarding whether MNPs can be absorbed and transported by grapevines, a crucial concern given the potential for these plastics to enter the food chain. The researchers introduced PS-NPs, with a size of 100 nm, into a hydroponic environment and observed their distribution in grape seedlings over 15 days. Using advanced imaging techniques like confocal microscopy and scanning electron microscopy, they detected plastic nanospheres on the cell walls of roots, stems, and leaves. This finding indicates that PS-NPs can be absorbed by the root system through the epidermis-cortex interface and transported upward along the xylem conduit. The study also delved into the molecular response mechanisms of TS grapes to PS-NPs. Through combined omics analysis, the researchers found that several biosynthetic pathways and signaling mechanisms were significantly affected. These included plant hormone signal transduction, flavonoid and flavonol biosynthesis, phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, and the MAPK signaling pathway. These results reveal the potential risk of MNPs being absorbed by grapevines and eventually entering the food chain, providing valuable data for assessing plant health and ecological risk. The findings of this study align with previous research on the uptake and transport of microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs) in plants. For instance, a review highlighted the presence of MPs and NPs in the environment and their uptake, translocation, and physiological effects in plants[2]. It was noted that NPs are more prone to enter plant cell walls compared to MPs, and transpiration pull is a dominant factor in the uptake and translocation of plastic particles. The current study reinforces these findings by demonstrating the absorption and upward transport of PS-NPs in grapevines. Moreover, another study investigated the combined effects of oxytetracycline (OTC) and polyethylene (PE) microplastics on wheat, revealing that combined exposure induced fewer metabolites than OTC exposure alone[3]. This study also showed that combined exposure reprogrammed metabolic profiles, indicating a complex interaction between different contaminants. While the current study focused solely on PS-NPs, it opens the door for future research to explore the combined effects of various environmental pollutants on horticultural crops. Strigolactones (SLs), which are carotenoid-derived molecules regulating various plant processes, have also been studied for their role in plant stress adaptation[4]. Although the current study did not specifically investigate SLs, understanding the broader context of plant hormonal responses to environmental stressors can help in comprehending how grapevines and other crops might respond to MNP exposure. In conclusion, the study conducted by the Xinjiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences provides critical insights into the absorption and transport of PS-NPs in grapevines. It highlights the potential ecological risks and underscores the need for further research to fully understand the implications of MNPs in agriculture and the food chain. This research adds to the growing body of evidence on the impact of microplastics on plant health and offers a foundation for future studies to explore the combined effects of multiple environmental pollutants.

EnvironmentBiochemPlant Science

References

Main Study

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

Published 21st August, 2024

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.135550

Related Studies

2) Uptake and Accumulation of Nano/Microplastics in Plants: A Critical Review.

https://doi.org/10.3390/nano11112935

3) Stress response to oxytetracycline and microplastic-polyethylene in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) during seed germination and seedling growth stages.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.150553

4) Contribution of strigolactone in plant physiology, hormonal interaction and abiotic stresses.

https://doi.org/10.1007/s00425-021-03678-1


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