The Role of Omics Technology in Evaluating Plastic Pollution’s Effects on Plants: A Comprehensive Review

Dini, Irene; Mancusi, Roberto; De Biasi, Margherita-Gabriella

doi:10.3390/ijms262110646

Open AccessReview

The Role of Omics Technology in Evaluating Plastic Pollution’s Effects on Plants: A Comprehensive Review

by

Irene Dini

^1,*

,

Roberto Mancusi

² and

Margherita-Gabriella De Biasi

¹

Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy

²

Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy

^*

Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(21), 10646; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms262110646

Submission received: 19 September 2025 / Revised: 27 October 2025 / Accepted: 30 October 2025 / Published: 31 October 2025

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Omics: Sensing, Signaling, Regulation and Homeostasis)

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Abstract

Micro and nano-plastics pose a significant threat to the global environment, affecting agricultural systems, food security, and human health. Some studies indicate that microplastics can induce physiological damage in plants, including oxidative stress, reduced germination, stunted biomass growth, and impaired photosynthesis. The extent of the damage varies depending on the type of microplastics, their size, and concentration. Moreover, micro- and nano-plastics can disturb the delicate balance of the soil microbiome. Microbial communities play a significant role in the health and functioning of ecosystems by facilitating nutrient turnover, breaking down organic matter, preserving soil integrity, and controlling diseases caused by soil-dwelling pathogens. This review highlights the role of omics technologies in elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying plant responses to micro- and nanoplastics. The findings can enhance our comprehension of how micro- and nanoplastics affect agricultural systems when they contaminate soil.

Keywords: microplastic; nanoplastic; metabolomics; ionomics; genomics; epigenomics; proteomics; transcriptomics; microbiomics

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MDPI and ACS Style

Dini, I.; Mancusi, R.; De Biasi, M.-G. The Role of Omics Technology in Evaluating Plastic Pollution’s Effects on Plants: A Comprehensive Review. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26, 10646. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms262110646

AMA Style

Dini I, Mancusi R, De Biasi M-G. The Role of Omics Technology in Evaluating Plastic Pollution’s Effects on Plants: A Comprehensive Review. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2025; 26(21):10646. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms262110646

Chicago/Turabian Style

Dini, Irene, Roberto Mancusi, and Margherita-Gabriella De Biasi. 2025. "The Role of Omics Technology in Evaluating Plastic Pollution’s Effects on Plants: A Comprehensive Review" International Journal of Molecular Sciences 26, no. 21: 10646. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms262110646

APA Style

Dini, I., Mancusi, R., & De Biasi, M.-G. (2025). The Role of Omics Technology in Evaluating Plastic Pollution’s Effects on Plants: A Comprehensive Review. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 26(21), 10646. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms262110646

Note that from the first issue of 2016, this journal uses article numbers instead of page numbers. See further details here.

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The Role of Omics Technology in Evaluating Plastic Pollution’s Effects on Plants: A Comprehensive Review

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