Work

Growth and physiological responses of spearmint (Mentha spicata) cuttings to norfloxacin

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: The increasing global consumption of antibiotics is a growing concern for the scientific community since the residues discharged into the environment can accumulate in plants and affect their growth. Mentha spicata L. is commonly used as a spice and widely cultivated as a medicinal and edible crop under controlled environments. Our study aimed to assess the subacute toxicity of norfloxacin (NOR; 0, 5, 10, 20, and 40 mg/L) on M. spicata cuttings and investigate the degradation of NOR in hydroponics during a 14-day exposure under natural conditions. In response to NOR, there were concentration-dependent declines in biomass, chlorophyll a , root activity, root elongation, and obvious chlorosis. An increase in malondialdehyde content and antioxidant activity indicated that NOR exposure specifically led to oxidative stress. There was a slight rise in osmotic regulatory substances observed in the setups treated with NOR compared to the control group. Simultaneously, M. spicata also made a response to the stress of NOR, and phytodegradation plays a more significant role in the degradation of NOR, in addition to hydrolysis and photodegradation processes. The integrated biomarker responses vesion 2 index values gradually increased with rising exposure concentrations, which suggested that NOR had toxic effects on M. spicata . These findings will improve the understanding of fluoroquinolones antibiotic effects on plants. • NOR inhibited the growth of spearmint cuttings and caused oxidative stress. • Root system features and root activity were negatively affected. • The toxicity of NOR was positively correlated with the exposure concentration. • Phytoremediation played a significant role in the removal of NOR.

Source: Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety

DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2025.118058

Authors: Jiehe Zhang, Jiahui Jiang, Yi Yang, Tongtong Wu, Xiangxiang Su, Haisheng Tao

Institutions: Wannan Medical College, Anhui Normal University

Language: English

Topic: Pharmaceutical and Antibiotic Environmental Impacts

Subfield: Pollution

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Zero hunger

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,650