Toxicity of decabromodiphenyl ethane on lettuce: Evaluation through growth, oxidative defense, microstructure, and metabolism

• Published in: Environmental pollution (1987) 2023-12, Vol.338, p.122724-122724, Article 122724
• Main Authors: Qiao, Zhihua, Sun, Xinlin, Gong, Kailin, Zhan, Xiuping, Luo, Kailun, Fu, Mengru, Zhou, Shanqi, Han, Yanna, He, Yuyou, Peng, Cheng, Zhang, Wei
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Antioxidants - pharmacology; Bromobenzenes - analysis; DBDPE; Environmental Pollutants - analysis; Flame Retardants - analysis; Flame Retardants - toxicity; Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers - analysis; Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers - toxicity; Lactuca; Lettuce; Metabolic; Molecular docking; Molecular Docking Simulation; Oxidative Stress
• ISSN: 0269-7491; 1873-6424
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.122724

Decabromodiphenyl ethane (DBDPE) as the most widely used novel brominated flame retardants (NBFRs), has become a ubiquitous emerging pollutant in the environment. However, its toxic effects on vegetable growth during agricultural production have not been reported. In this study, we investigated the response mechanisms of hydroponic lettuce to DBDPE accumulation, antioxidant stress, cell structure damage, and metabolic pathways after exposure to DBDPE. The concentration of DBDPE in the root of lettuce was significantly higher than that in the aboveground part. DBDPE induced oxidative stress on lettuce, which stimulated the defense of the antioxidative system of lettuce cells, and the cell structure produced slight plasma-wall separation. In terms of metabolism, metabolic pathway disorders were caused, which are mainly manifested as inhibiting amino acid biosynthesis and metabolism-related pathways, interfering with the biosyntheses of amino acids, organic acids, fatty acids, carbohydrates, and other substances, and ultimately manifested as decreased total chlorophyll content and root activity. In turn, metabolic regulation alleviated antioxidant stress. The mechanisms of the antioxidative reaction of lettuce to DBDPE were elucidated by IBR, PLS-PM analysis, and molecular docking. Our results provide a theoretical basis and research necessity for the evaluation of emerging pollutants in agricultural production and the safety of vegetables. [Display omitted] •Enrichment ability of DBDPE in root is higher than that of aboveground in lettuce.•SOD and POD are sensitive biomarkers, and DBDPE can change their molecular configuration.•DBDPE induces oxidative stress in lettuce by disrupting amino acid synthesis and metabolism.•Lettuce mitigates DBDPE oxidative stress via organic acid and fatty acid metabolism.