Biochemical effects from the co-exposure of heavy metals and biomicroplastics in tilapia

Description

The manufacture, characterisation, use, and degradation of polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) are the main areas of research into this plastic substitute in light of plastic pollution. However, little is known about PHA's capacity to bioaccumulate in the food chain and serve as a vector for heavy metal contaminants. Thus, information was gathered from the experiments of pollutant sorption, pollutant bioaccumulation, and antioxidant-enzyme modulation of four microparticles in single and co-exposure to lead (Pb) and copper (Cu): poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) [P(3HB)], poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-4-hydroxybutyrate) [P(3HB-co-4HB)], polylactic acid (PLA), and polyethylene (PE).

Steps to reproduce

Pollutants were adsorbed onto microparticles until equilibrium was reached to measure sorption capacities and rates, then administered to hybrid tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus x Oreochromis niloticus) for 30 days to assess bioaccumulated pollutant concentrations in tissues. Gene expressions of liver antioxidant enzymes were quantified using reverse transcription quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction.

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