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Volume 13
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10.3390/toxics13080700
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This is an early access version, the complete PDF, HTML, and XML versions will be available soon.
Article

Polystyrene Microplastic Interferes with Yolk Reserve Utilisation in Early Artemia salina Nauplii

by
Chiara Maria Motta
1,
Chiara Fogliano
1,*,
Marco Trifuoggi
2,
Maria Toscanesi
2,
Anja Raggio
3,4,
Simona Di Marino
1,
Paola Venditti
1,
Gianluca Fasciolo
1,
Bice Avallone
1 and
Rosa Carotenuto
1
1
Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy
2
Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy
3
Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, 80122 Naples, Italy
4
NBFC, National Biodiversity Future Centre, 61, 90133 Palermo, Italy
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Toxics 2025, 13(8), 700; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics13080700 (registering DOI)
Submission received: 18 July 2025 / Revised: 14 August 2025 / Accepted: 19 August 2025 / Published: 20 August 2025
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ecotoxicological Effects of Anthropogenic Contaminants in Aquatic Organisms)
Versions Notes

Abstract

Polystyrene microfragments are among the most common plastic pollutants globally. They significantly affect aquatic life, harming various organs and tissues. In this study, we examined the effects of 3 µm polystyrene beads (MPs, 20 µg/L) on development and yolk resorption in pre-feeding nauplii of Artemia salina, a lecithotrophic crustacean used in toxicity testing. Results showed a reduced hatching rate, slower growth, and the onset of oxidative stress. Histological analysis revealed no significant morphological alteration; however, yolk platelets lost N-acetyl galactosamine (galNAc), and resorption was delayed. Lectin staining also showed a reduction in N-acetyl glucosamine (glcNAc) in the gut brush border, indicating impaired gut function. Gas chromatography detected the release of nanogram amounts of toxic volatile compounds (VOCs, ethylbenzene, xylene, benzaldehyde, and styrene) into the culture medium. In conclusion, the data demonstrate a delay in larval yolk resorption that can likely be attributed to the release of VOCs, which induce oxidative stress. Further research is urgently needed, given the potential biological and ecological implications of this finding.
Keywords: carbohydrate characterization; hatching rate; naupliar growth; oxidative stress; volatile organic compounds (VOCs) carbohydrate characterization; hatching rate; naupliar growth; oxidative stress; volatile organic compounds (VOCs)

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MDPI and ACS Style

Motta, C.M.; Fogliano, C.; Trifuoggi, M.; Toscanesi, M.; Raggio, A.; Di Marino, S.; Venditti, P.; Fasciolo, G.; Avallone, B.; Carotenuto, R. Polystyrene Microplastic Interferes with Yolk Reserve Utilisation in Early Artemia salina Nauplii. Toxics 2025, 13, 700. https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics13080700

AMA Style

Motta CM, Fogliano C, Trifuoggi M, Toscanesi M, Raggio A, Di Marino S, Venditti P, Fasciolo G, Avallone B, Carotenuto R. Polystyrene Microplastic Interferes with Yolk Reserve Utilisation in Early Artemia salina Nauplii. Toxics. 2025; 13(8):700. https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics13080700

Chicago/Turabian Style

Motta, Chiara Maria, Chiara Fogliano, Marco Trifuoggi, Maria Toscanesi, Anja Raggio, Simona Di Marino, Paola Venditti, Gianluca Fasciolo, Bice Avallone, and Rosa Carotenuto. 2025. "Polystyrene Microplastic Interferes with Yolk Reserve Utilisation in Early Artemia salina Nauplii" Toxics 13, no. 8: 700. https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics13080700

APA Style

Motta, C. M., Fogliano, C., Trifuoggi, M., Toscanesi, M., Raggio, A., Di Marino, S., Venditti, P., Fasciolo, G., Avallone, B., & Carotenuto, R. (2025). Polystyrene Microplastic Interferes with Yolk Reserve Utilisation in Early Artemia salina Nauplii. Toxics, 13(8), 700. https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics13080700

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