Screening of structural and functional alterations in duckweed (Lemna minor) induced by per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) with FTIR spectroscopy

As a class of common emerging pollutants, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) and their alternatives have been widely detected in various environmental matrices, exhibiting a great threat to the ecological environment and human health. Nevertheless, changes in biomolecular structure and function of duckweed caused by PFASs and their alternatives remain unknown thus far. Herein, the effects of four PFASs, including two common legacy PFASs (perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA)) and two PFASs alternatives (perfluorobutane sulfonic acid (PFBS) and 1H,1H,2H, 2H-perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (6:2 FTS)) on duckweed (Lemna minor) at biochemical level were investigated with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Although no obvious inhibitions were observed in the growth of L. minor with PFASs exposure at three levels of 1 mu g L-1, 100 mu g L-1, and 10 mg L-1, significant structural and functional alterations were induced at the biochemical level. In response to PFASs exposure, lipid peroxidation, proteins aggregation and alpha-helix to beta-sheet transformation of the protein conformation, as well as changes of DNA conformations were detected. Moreover, alterations in lipid, protein, and DNA were proved to be concentration-related and compound-specific. Compared to the two legacy PFASs (PFOS and PFOA), alternative ones exhibited greater effects on the biological macromolecules of L. minor. The findings of this study firstly reveal structural and functional alterations in L. minor induced by PFASs exposure, providing further understanding of their toxicity effects.

Automated summary

As a class of common emerging pollutants, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) and their alternatives have been widely detected in various environmental matrices, posing a great threat to the ecological environment and human health. This study investigated the effects of four PFASs on duckweed at the biochemical level and revealed significant structural and functional alterations induced by PFASs exposure. The findings contribute to a better understanding of the toxicity effects of PFASs and their alternatives.