PUNE Synthetic plasticisers increase stress in water-based and soil-based organisms. However bio-based plasticisers are more beneficial to the environment, according to recent research published in Springer -Ecotoxicology journal.
Chaitali Shaha was a student in the zoology section. The research was done under the supervision of Dr Radhakrishna Panit, Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU). It was published on Thursday.
Shaha shared her findings about phthalates being used in polyvinylchloride products as plasticisers to increase flexibility.
These chemicals are known to have adverse effects on living organisms. The rapid depletion in petroleum resources also calls for the exploration and development of alternative fuels. Bio-based plasticisers are now being used as additives in a variety of applications. Shaha said that bio-based plasticisers do not cause harm to these organisms.
Phthalates can be found in common products, such as food packaging and medical devices. They are one of the most significant environmental pollutants because they leach out and accumulate in products.
Shaha said that her research also covered the effects of these plasticisers in C. circumdatus (an insect also commonly known as the bloodworms).
Water worms, also known as bloodworms, are aquatic insects that live near water bodies with polluted water. These bloodworms are used for water pollution research because they can breed in such environments. Our research showed that synthetic plasticisers had a negative impact on the environment of these worms. Shaha said that bio-based plasticisers were less stressful than synthetic ones because they can be used by living organisms.
Ethanolamine was used as the bio-based polymeriser in this research. Shaha also mentioned that in her previous studies, it was found that synthetic plasticisers like dioctyl or diethyl have adverse reactions on these organisms.
The larvae of these insects made certain changes to the levels of antioxidants. Research revealed that certain enzyme activities increased in response to post-exposure recovery conditions. This suggests that these enzymes are important in adapting to plasticiser-contaminated environments.
Dr Radhakrishna Paandit, guide, researcher, and professor at SPPU’s Zoology department, stated that plasticisers work differently in aquatic ecosystems.
Synthetic plasticisers cause stress in insects. This research paper examines how these insects adapt and cope with the stress. The research provides important insights from an environmental perspective. We have attempted to understand how insects use antioxidants in order to adapt. Bio-based plasticisers offer a better alternative to synthetic plasticisers. They are also less expensive to produce and cause less damage to the environment for these insects. Pandit said that students will be able to study how plasticizers affect humans in the future.
