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Nalbone L, Giarratana F, Genovese M, Panebianco A. Occurrence of microplastics in store-bought fresh and processed clams in Italy. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2024; 206:116739. [PMID: 39029150 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2024] [Revised: 07/13/2024] [Accepted: 07/15/2024] [Indexed: 07/21/2024]
Abstract
Compared to the large amount of data on wild samples, only a few studies reported microplastic occurrence in store-bought bivalves in which the production chain can be the main contamination route. Microplastic occurrence was herein investigated in 100 samples of store-bought clams sold as fresh or processed (vacuum-frozen or in brine) in Italy. A 10 % KOH was used for soft tissue digestion and FT-IR spectroscopy for polymer identification. A total of 135 potential microplastics ranging in size between 20 μm and 5000 μm were enumerated estimating an annual dietary intake via clam consumption of 59.472 microplastics/person. No significant difference in the average abundance between the two commercial conditions was observed, while a prevalence of smaller particles was detected in processed samples suggesting a detrimental effect of cooking during production. Polyethylene (PE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and polystyrene (PS) were identified posing an overall low risk (class II). Microplastic occurrence in store-bought seafood requires additional and specific attention and future studies should investigate microplastic contribution linked to the production chain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Nalbone
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Messina, Polo Universitario dell 'Annunziata, Viale Giovanni Palatucci SNC, 98168 Messina, Italy.
| | - Filippo Giarratana
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Messina, Polo Universitario dell 'Annunziata, Viale Giovanni Palatucci SNC, 98168 Messina, Italy; Riconnexia srls, Department of Veterinary Science, University of Messina, Polo Universitario dell 'Annunziata, Viale Giovanni Palatucci SNC, 98168 Messina, Italy.
| | - Martina Genovese
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Messina, Polo Universitario dell 'Annunziata, Viale Giovanni Palatucci SNC, 98168 Messina, Italy.
| | - Antonio Panebianco
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Messina, Polo Universitario dell 'Annunziata, Viale Giovanni Palatucci SNC, 98168 Messina, Italy.
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Süssmann J, Fischer EK, Hildebrandt L, Walz E, Greiner R, Rohn S, Fritsche J. Nile red staining for rapid screening of plastic-suspect particles in edible seafood tissues. Anal Bioanal Chem 2024; 416:3459-3471. [PMID: 38727737 PMCID: PMC11106118 DOI: 10.1007/s00216-024-05296-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2024] [Revised: 04/10/2024] [Accepted: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 05/21/2024]
Abstract
Concerns regarding microplastic (MP) contamination in aquatic ecosystems and its impact on seafood require a better understanding of human dietary MP exposure including extensive monitoring. While conventional techniques for MP analysis like infrared or Raman microspectroscopy provide detailed particle information, they are limited by low sample throughput, particularly when dealing with high particle numbers in seafood due to matrix-related residues. Consequently, more rapid techniques need to be developed to meet the requirements of large-scale monitoring. This study focused on semi-automated fluorescence imaging analysis after Nile red staining for rapid MP screening in seafood. By implementing RGB-based fluorescence threshold values, the need for high operator expertise to prevent misclassification was addressed. Food-relevant MP was identified with over 95% probability and differentiated from natural polymers with a 1% error rate. Comparison with laser direct infrared imaging (LDIR), a state-of-the-art method for rapid MP analysis, showed similar particle counts, indicating plausible results. However, highly variable recovery rates attributed to inhomogeneous particle spiking experiments highlight the need for future development of certified reference material including sample preparation. The proposed method demonstrated suitability of high throughput analysis for seafood samples, requiring 0.02-0.06 h/cm2 filter surface compared to 4.5-14.7 h/cm with LDIR analysis. Overall, the method holds promise as a screening tool for more accurate yet resource-intensive MP analysis methods such as spectroscopic or thermoanalytical techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Süssmann
- Department of Safety and Quality of Milk and Fish Products, Max Rubner-Institut, Federal Research Institute of Nutrition and Food, Hermann-Weigmann-Straße 1, 24103, Kiel, Germany.
| | - Elke Kerstin Fischer
- Center for Earth System Research and Sustainability (CEN), University of Hamburg, Bundesstraße 55, 20146, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Lars Hildebrandt
- Department for Inorganic Environmental Chemistry, Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon, Institute of Coastal Environmental Chemistry, Max-Planck-Straße 1, 21502, Geesthacht, Germany
| | - Elke Walz
- Department of Food Technology and Bioprocess Engineering, Max Rubner-Institut, Federal Research Institute of Nutrition and Food, Haid-Und-Neu-Straße 9, 76131, Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Ralf Greiner
- Department of Food Technology and Bioprocess Engineering, Max Rubner-Institut, Federal Research Institute of Nutrition and Food, Haid-Und-Neu-Straße 9, 76131, Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Sascha Rohn
- Department of Food Chemistry and Analysis, Technische Universität Berlin, Institute of Food Technology and Food Chemistry, TIB 4/3-1, Gustav-Meyer-Allee 25, 13355, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jan Fritsche
- Department of Safety and Quality of Milk and Fish Products, Max Rubner-Institut, Federal Research Institute of Nutrition and Food, Hermann-Weigmann-Straße 1, 24103, Kiel, Germany
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Garcia MM, Romero AS, Merkley SD, Meyer-Hagen JL, Forbes C, Hayek EE, Sciezka DP, Templeton R, Gonzalez-Estrella J, Jin Y, Gu H, Benavidez A, Hunter RP, Lucas S, Herbert G, Kim KJ, Cui JY, Gullapalli RR, In JG, Campen MJ, Castillo EF. In Vivo Tissue Distribution of Polystyrene or Mixed Polymer Microspheres and Metabolomic Analysis after Oral Exposure in Mice. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2024; 132:47005. [PMID: 38598326 PMCID: PMC11005960 DOI: 10.1289/ehp13435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2023] [Revised: 01/05/2024] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Global plastic use has consistently increased over the past century with several different types of plastics now being produced. Much of these plastics end up in oceans or landfills leading to a substantial accumulation of plastics in the environment. Plastic debris slowly degrades into microplastics (MPs) that can ultimately be inhaled or ingested by both animals and humans. A growing body of evidence indicates that MPs can cross the gut barrier and enter into the lymphatic and systemic circulation leading to accumulation in tissues such as the lungs, liver, kidney, and brain. The impacts of mixed MPs exposure on tissue function through metabolism remains largely unexplored. OBJECTIVES This study aims to investigate the impacts of polymer microspheres on tissue metabolism in mice by assessing the microspheres ability to translocate across the gut barrier and enter into systemic circulation. Specifically, we wanted to examine microsphere accumulation in different organ systems, identify concentration-dependent metabolic changes, and evaluate the effects of mixed microsphere exposures on health outcomes. METHODS To investigate the impact of ingested microspheres on target metabolic pathways, mice were exposed to either polystyrene (5 μ m ) microspheres or a mixture of polymer microspheres consisting of polystyrene (5 μ m ), polyethylene (1 - 4 μ m ), and the biodegradability and biocompatible plastic, poly-(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (5 μ m ). Exposures were performed twice a week for 4 weeks at a concentration of either 0, 2, or 4 mg / week via oral gastric gavage. Tissues were collected to examine microsphere ingress and changes in metabolites. RESULTS In mice that ingested microspheres, we detected polystyrene microspheres in distant tissues including the brain, liver, and kidney. Additionally, we report on the metabolic differences that occurred in the colon, liver, and brain, which showed differential responses that were dependent on concentration and type of microsphere exposure. DISCUSSION This study uses a mouse model to provide critical insight into the potential health implications of the pervasive issue of plastic pollution. These findings demonstrate that orally consumed polystyrene or mixed polymer microspheres can accumulate in tissues such as the brain, liver, and kidney. Furthermore, this study highlights concentration-dependent and polymer type-specific metabolic changes in the colon, liver, and brain after plastic microsphere exposure. These results underline the mobility within and between biological tissues of MPs after exposure and emphasize the importance of understanding their metabolic impact. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP13435.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcus M. Garcia
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of New Mexico Health Sciences, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
| | - Aaron S. Romero
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
| | - Seth D. Merkley
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
| | - Jewel L. Meyer-Hagen
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
| | - Charles Forbes
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
| | - Eliane El Hayek
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of New Mexico Health Sciences, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
| | - David P. Sciezka
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of New Mexico Health Sciences, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
| | - Rachel Templeton
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of New Mexico Health Sciences, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
- University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Jorge Gonzalez-Estrella
- School of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma, USA
| | - Yan Jin
- Center for Translational Science, Florida International University, Port St. Lucie, Florida, USA
| | - Haiwei Gu
- Center for Translational Science, Florida International University, Port St. Lucie, Florida, USA
| | - Angelica Benavidez
- Center for Micro-Engineered Materials, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
| | - Russell P. Hunter
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of New Mexico Health Sciences, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
| | - Selita Lucas
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of New Mexico Health Sciences, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
| | - Guy Herbert
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of New Mexico Health Sciences, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
| | - Kyle Joohyung Kim
- Department of Environmental & Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Julia Yue Cui
- Department of Environmental & Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Rama R. Gullapalli
- Department of Pathology, University of New Mexico Health Sciences, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
| | - Julie G. In
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
| | - Matthew J. Campen
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of New Mexico Health Sciences, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
| | - Eliseo F. Castillo
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
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Malloggi C, Nalbone L, Bartalena S, Guidi M, Corradini C, Foti A, Gucciardi PG, Giarratana F, Susini F, Armani A. The Occurrence of Microplastics in Donax trunculus (Mollusca: Bivalvia) Collected along the Tuscany Coast (Mediterranean Sea). Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:618. [PMID: 38396586 PMCID: PMC10886031 DOI: 10.3390/ani14040618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2023] [Revised: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) (0.1 µm-5 mm particles) have been documented in oceans and seas. Bivalve molluscs (BMs) can accumulate MPs and transfer to humans through the food chain. BMs (especially mussels) are used to assess MPs' contamination, but the genus Donax has not been thoroughly investigated. The aim of this study was to detect and characterize MPs in D. trunculus specimens collected along the Tuscan coast (Italy), and to assess the potential risk for consumers. The samples (~10 g of tissue and intervalval liquid from 35 specimens) were digested using a solution of 10% KOH, subjected to NaCl density separation, and filtered through 5 μm pore-size filters. All items were morphologically classified and measured, and their mean abundance (MA) was calculated. Furthermore, 20% of them were analyzed by Raman spectroscopy and, based on the obtained results, the MA was recalculated (corrected MA) and the annual human exposure was estimated. In the 39 samples analyzed, 85 items fibers (n = 45; 52.94%) and fragments (n = 40; 47.06%) were found. The MA was 0.23 ± 0.17 items/grww. Additionally, 83.33% of the items were confirmed as MPs (polyethylene and polyethylene terephthalate). Based on the correct MA (0.18 MPs/grww), D. trunculus consumers could be exposed to 19.2 MPs/per capita/year. The health risk level of MPs was classified as level III (moderate).
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Malloggi
- FishLab, Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, Viale delle Piagge 2, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (C.M.); (M.G.)
| | - Luca Nalbone
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Polo Universitario Dell’Annunziata, 98168 Messina, Italy; (L.N.); (F.G.)
| | - Silvia Bartalena
- Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute of Latium and Tuscany M. Aleandri, UOT Toscana Nord, SS Dell’ Abetone e del Brennero 4, 56123 Pisa, Italy; (S.B.); (F.S.)
| | - Margherita Guidi
- FishLab, Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, Viale delle Piagge 2, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (C.M.); (M.G.)
| | - Carlo Corradini
- Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute of Latium and Tuscany M. Aleandri, Via Appia Nuova, 1411, 00178 Roma, Italy;
| | - Antonino Foti
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), Istituto per i Processi Chimico-Fisici (IPCF), Viale F. Stagno D’Alcontres 27, 98158 Messina, Italy; (A.F.); (P.G.G.)
| | - Pietro G. Gucciardi
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), Istituto per i Processi Chimico-Fisici (IPCF), Viale F. Stagno D’Alcontres 27, 98158 Messina, Italy; (A.F.); (P.G.G.)
| | - Filippo Giarratana
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Polo Universitario Dell’Annunziata, 98168 Messina, Italy; (L.N.); (F.G.)
| | - Francesca Susini
- Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute of Latium and Tuscany M. Aleandri, UOT Toscana Nord, SS Dell’ Abetone e del Brennero 4, 56123 Pisa, Italy; (S.B.); (F.S.)
| | - Andrea Armani
- FishLab, Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, Viale delle Piagge 2, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (C.M.); (M.G.)
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