Risks and mechanistic insights into arsenic-enhanced iodination of bisphenol F in Brassica chinensis L.

Abstract

Arsenic (As) contamination in vegetables poses significant ecological and health risks, raising substantial public concern. While arsenic accumulation and transformation have been studied, the in-situ iodination effects and mechanisms under co-contamination with arsenic and phenolic pollutants (e.g., bisphenol F) remain unclear. This study addresses this gap by exposing Brassica chinensis L. to hydroponic solutions containing sodium hydrogen arsenate heptahydrate (As(V)) at concentrations of 0–100 μmol/L, BPF at 3 mg/L, and iodide ions at 40 μmol/L under environmentally relevant conditions. Results demonstrate that As(V) enhances the iodination of BPF by increasing levels of reactive oxygen species (H₂O₂ and •OH) and elevating peroxidase (POD) activity, as confirmed by transcriptomic analysis. As the concentration of As(V) increased from 0 to 100 μmol/L, the diversity and concentration of iodinated BPF products in the roots exhibited a dose-dependent increase, while the variety of iodinated products in the leaves also showed a corresponding rise. Gaussian calculations and mass spectrometry identified the specific substitution sites and the number of iodide atoms incorporated into BPF molecules. By combining toxicity predictions of iodinated BPF using the Toxicity Estimation Software Tool (T·E·S·T) and the Ecological Structure-Activity Relationships (ECOSAR) model with measurements of HepG2 cell viability and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity in the cell culture medium, it was found that the toxicity of iodinated BPF products in plants increased following the addition of As(V). This study highlights the combined risks of arsenic and bisphenol contamination, revealing arsenic’s role in enhancing bisphenol iodination and toxicity in plants.

Graphical abstract

Keywords

As(V) pollution / Iodination of bisphenol F / Vegetable safety / Toxicity analysis

Highlight

	● BPF iodide products (I-BPF) in Brassica chinensis L. rise after As(V) exposure.
	● The types and quantities of more toxic I-BPF increase with As(V) exposure level.
	● As(V) improves ROS (H2O2, •OH) yield, POD activity, which oxidize I− to RIS.
	● Transcriptomics analysis validates that As(V) enhances RIS production in plant.
	● More toxic I-BPF are first confirmed and identified in Brassica chinensis L.

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