Polymer nanoparticles pass the plant interface

Sam J. Parkinson, Sireethorn Tungsirisurp, Chitra Joshi, Bethany L. Richmond, Miriam L. Gifford, Amrita Sikder, Iseult Lynch, Rachel K. O’Reilly () and Richard M. Napier ()
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Sam J. Parkinson: University of Birmingham
Sireethorn Tungsirisurp: University of Warwick
Chitra Joshi: University of Warwick
Bethany L. Richmond: University of Warwick
Miriam L. Gifford: University of Warwick
Amrita Sikder: University of Birmingham
Iseult Lynch: University of Birmingham
Rachel K. O’Reilly: University of Birmingham
Richard M. Napier: University of Warwick

Nature Communications, 2022, vol. 13, issue 1, 1-9

Abstract: Abstract As agriculture strives to feed an ever-increasing number of people, it must also adapt to increasing exposure to minute plastic particles. To learn about the accumulation of nanoplastics by plants, we prepared well-defined block copolymer nanoparticles by aqueous dispersion polymerisation. A fluorophore was incorporated via hydrazone formation and uptake into roots and protoplasts of Arabidopsis thaliana was investigated using confocal microscopy. Here we show that uptake is inversely proportional to nanoparticle size. Positively charged particles accumulate around root surfaces and are not taken up by roots or protoplasts, whereas negatively charged nanoparticles accumulate slowly and become prominent over time in the xylem of intact roots. Neutral nanoparticles penetrate rapidly into intact cells at the surfaces of plant roots and into protoplasts, but xylem loading is lower than for negative nanoparticles. These behaviours differ from those of animal cells and our results show that despite the protection of rigid cell walls, plants are accessible to nanoplastics in soil and water.

Date: 2022
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-35066-y

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