Abstract

The outburst of plastic pollution in terrestrial ecosystems poses a potential threat to agriculture and food safety. Studies have already provided evidence for the uptake of plastic microparticles by several plant species, accompanied by numerous developmental effects, using fluorescence labelling techniques. Here, we introduce the implementation of confocal Raman spectroscopy, a label-free method, for the effective detection of microplastics (MPs) accumulation in the roots of a common edible root vegetable plant, Raphanus sativus, after treatment with acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) powder. We also demonstrate the concomitant occurrence of phenotypic defects in the polymer-treated plants. We anticipate that this work can provide new insights not only into the extent of the impact this widespread phenomenon has on crop plants but also on the methodological requirements to address it.

Keywords

label-free; microscopy; detection; plastic; pollution; environment; edible; crop plants; ABS

Published in

Materials
2021, Volume: 14, number: 9, article number: 2329
Publisher: MDPI

SLU Authors

• Moschou, Panagiotis Nikolaou

  • Department of Plant Biology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    
  • Foundation for Research and Technology - Hellas (FORTH)
  • University of Crete

Sustainable Development Goals

Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages
End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture


UKÄ Subject classification

Environmental Sciences


Publication identifier

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ma14092329

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/112032