Main Objective
Within this project, we aimed to evaluate the uptake of polystyrene (PS) nanoparticles (NPs), as well as their distribution, migration, and toxicity in the Stevia rebaudiana plant, cultivated in vitro, following exposure to various NP concentrations: 10, 50, 100, and 250 mg/L.
Microplastic (MP) and nanoplastic (NP) enter agro-eco-systems either as primary micromaterials (e.g. textile fibers, coatings, adhesives), or indirectly, generated by the breakdown of larger plastic debris. Although the fates of plastics, especially of MPs in marine environments are being increasingly well studied, little is known about the behavior of NPs in terrestrial environments. Due to its smaller size, NP presents a higher internalization potential, being thus linked to a higher toxicity. Therefore, we aim to study morphological and molecular changes induced by NP exposure, by studying the uptake, bioaccumulation, biodistribution and toxicity of NP on in vitro plant cultures of Stevia rebaudiana. Bioaccumulation and biodistribution will be assessed by conventional fluorescence imaging and hyperspectral fluorescence imaging for labelled polystyrene (PS), NPs of 30 nm size. The plants will be grown by exposing to following NP concentrations 10, 50, 100 and 250 mg/l. Also, Raman imaging will be employed for monitoring unlabelled NPs in vegetal tissue. To assess the phytotoxicity induced by NPs the following compounds responsible for stress due to toxicity will be quantified: chlorophylls, carotenoids, glycosides, soluble vitamins, volatile organic compounds and malondialdehyde (MDA). Thus, the results of this study will contribute to a better understanding of the risks of exposure to NPs.