Physiological and Metabolic Changes in Maize Seedlings in Response to Bisphenol A Stress

The study’s prime objective was to systematically verify maize’s phyto-hazardous tolerance for bisphenol A (BPA). BPA is an emerging pollutant of plastics that may stimulate plant stress reactions. Various levels of BPA (0, 1, 10, 30, 60, and 100 mg L −1 ) were applied. The effects on germination, physiological and metabolic features, and BPA accumulation were examined. Maize germination indices and IC 50 values revealed severe inhibition. Low levels of BPA promoted maize growth and photosynthetic activity, but high levels inhibited them. Evans’ blue staining and reduction of triphenyl tetrazolium chloride (TTC) demonstrate cells are impaired by hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) and malondialdehyde (MDA). Activation of superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT), and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) increased at high BPA levels. The principal component analysis (PCA) revealed a random distribution of oxidants, antioxidant enzymes, and BPA levels across shoots and roots and a separation in regulating oxidative and antioxidative elements. Cluster analysis revealed the separated grouping of lower to higher levels of BPA under antioxidant enzyme and oxidant regulations in both roots and shoots. A random correlation of antioxidant enzymes and oxidants at different levels of BPA indicated variations in maize seedlings’ root/shoot tolerance to stress. BPA inhibited the synthesis of auxin. Anthocyanin production indicated that maize is sensitive to BPA. Finally, these phytotoxic effects resulted from BPA accumulation. According to the study results, BPA has a greater impact on roots than on shoots. The study reveals BPA’s phytotoxic effects and maize resistance to BPA pollution.