Interaction of cyanobacteria and microplastics polystyrene spiked with pharmaceutical drug-paracetamol

Abstract The microplastics polymer—polystyrene, polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, etc. are now recognized as potent threats to the aquatic system due to the Trojan horse effect i.e., they adsorb other pollutants such as pharmaceutical drugs, organic solvents, metals etc. and act as a vector or carri...

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Main Authors: Rubina Yasmine, Haleema Naaz, Razique Anwer, Nikhat Manzoor, Tasneem Fatma
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-07-01
Series:Scientific Reports
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-01507-z
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author Rubina Yasmine
Haleema Naaz
Razique Anwer
Nikhat Manzoor
Tasneem Fatma
author_facet Rubina Yasmine
Haleema Naaz
Razique Anwer
Nikhat Manzoor
Tasneem Fatma
author_sort Rubina Yasmine
collection DOAJ
description Abstract The microplastics polymer—polystyrene, polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, etc. are now recognized as potent threats to the aquatic system due to the Trojan horse effect i.e., they adsorb other pollutants such as pharmaceutical drugs, organic solvents, metals etc. and act as a vector or carrier. Polystyrene (PS) is one of the most usable plastics worldwide that abundantly contaminates the aquatic body. However, to date, only a few studies have focused on the eco-toxic effects of polystyrene in combination with other pollutants. Therefore, in the present study, the effect of polystyrene (pristine) and spiked with the emerging pollutant paracetamol (PCM) was studied on cyanobacterium- Nostoc muscorum. PS, spiked with paracetamol exhibited a higher adverse effect on the growth and biochemical constituents. Fluorescence intensities of confocal images of the samples decreased with increasing toxic effect of polystyrene when spiked with paracetamol. Increased laccase and esterase activity also indicated the degradation potential of Nostoc muscorum. The findings of present work suggested PS (Pristine and spiked with PCM) toxicity on primary producer of ecosystem and role of cyanobacterial degrading enzymes in bioremediation of PS. Therefore, it is better to “nip in the bud” the plastic pollution rather than to face a great environmental threat.
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spelling doaj-art-bcf0de60faa4461b849dd1f4fc0dedec2025-08-20T03:45:57ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-07-0115111310.1038/s41598-025-01507-zInteraction of cyanobacteria and microplastics polystyrene spiked with pharmaceutical drug-paracetamolRubina Yasmine0Haleema Naaz1Razique Anwer2Nikhat Manzoor3Tasneem Fatma4Department of Biosciences, Jamia Millia IslamiaDepartment of Biosciences, Jamia Millia IslamiaDepartment of Pathology, College of Medicine, Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University (IMSIU)Department of Biosciences, Jamia Millia IslamiaDepartment of Biosciences, Jamia Millia IslamiaAbstract The microplastics polymer—polystyrene, polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, etc. are now recognized as potent threats to the aquatic system due to the Trojan horse effect i.e., they adsorb other pollutants such as pharmaceutical drugs, organic solvents, metals etc. and act as a vector or carrier. Polystyrene (PS) is one of the most usable plastics worldwide that abundantly contaminates the aquatic body. However, to date, only a few studies have focused on the eco-toxic effects of polystyrene in combination with other pollutants. Therefore, in the present study, the effect of polystyrene (pristine) and spiked with the emerging pollutant paracetamol (PCM) was studied on cyanobacterium- Nostoc muscorum. PS, spiked with paracetamol exhibited a higher adverse effect on the growth and biochemical constituents. Fluorescence intensities of confocal images of the samples decreased with increasing toxic effect of polystyrene when spiked with paracetamol. Increased laccase and esterase activity also indicated the degradation potential of Nostoc muscorum. The findings of present work suggested PS (Pristine and spiked with PCM) toxicity on primary producer of ecosystem and role of cyanobacterial degrading enzymes in bioremediation of PS. Therefore, it is better to “nip in the bud” the plastic pollution rather than to face a great environmental threat.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-01507-zMicroplasticsPolystyreneParacetamolNostocOxidative stress
spellingShingle Rubina Yasmine
Haleema Naaz
Razique Anwer
Nikhat Manzoor
Tasneem Fatma
Interaction of cyanobacteria and microplastics polystyrene spiked with pharmaceutical drug-paracetamol
Scientific Reports
Microplastics
Polystyrene
Paracetamol
Nostoc
Oxidative stress
title Interaction of cyanobacteria and microplastics polystyrene spiked with pharmaceutical drug-paracetamol
title_full Interaction of cyanobacteria and microplastics polystyrene spiked with pharmaceutical drug-paracetamol
title_fullStr Interaction of cyanobacteria and microplastics polystyrene spiked with pharmaceutical drug-paracetamol
title_full_unstemmed Interaction of cyanobacteria and microplastics polystyrene spiked with pharmaceutical drug-paracetamol
title_short Interaction of cyanobacteria and microplastics polystyrene spiked with pharmaceutical drug-paracetamol
title_sort interaction of cyanobacteria and microplastics polystyrene spiked with pharmaceutical drug paracetamol
topic Microplastics
Polystyrene
Paracetamol
Nostoc
Oxidative stress
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-01507-z
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