Abstract
The increased production and use of plastics have negative impacts on
the environment. However, not only the polymers themselves, but also
smaller particles used for instance in cosmetics or derived from
decomposition are toxicologically relevant. In recent years, research
has focused on the occurrence of micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) in air,
soil and water, whereas the entry into plants has hardly been
investigated. To determine the load, translocation of MNPs and their
effects on metabolism, pak choi, tomato, radish and asparagus have been
exposed with fluorescent-labeled particles; poly(methyl methacrylate)
(PMMA) or polystyrene (PS) of different sizes and surface modifications.
By means of fluorescence microscopy the entry of NP regardless of their
size (100 nm – 500 nm) and surface modification (unmodified, COOH or NH
2) has been demonstrated. Additionally, metabolic
changes induced by MNPs have been determined by metabolomics. The entry
could pose a potential risk to food safety as well as quality and needs
greater concern and further research.