Microplastics in raw milk samples from the Marmara region in Turkey

JOURNAL FÜR VERBRAUCHERSCHUTZ UND LEBENSMITTELSICHERHEIT, cilt.19, sa.1, ss.1-12, 2024 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)

Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
Cilt numarası: 19 Sayı: 1
Basım Tarihi: 2024
Doi Numarası: 10.1007/s00003-023-01477-2
Dergi Adı: JOURNAL FÜR VERBRAUCHERSCHUTZ UND LEBENSMITTELSICHERHEIT
Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, PASCAL, Agricultural & Environmental Science Database, CAB Abstracts, Food Science & Technology Abstracts, Veterinary Science Database
Sayfa Sayıları: ss.1-12
İstanbul Üniversitesi-Cerrahpaşa Adresli: Evet

Microplastics are small polymeric particles formed after the degradation and environmental erosion of plastic waste. They

pose a significant threat to the environment, animal, and human health. For humans, food is an important route for the

transmission of microplastics. In this study, the presence of microplastics in raw milk is investigated. Samples from various

milk-producing animals were collected in Turkey’s Marmara Region, a prominent industrial and agricultural area (n:588).

Rigorous quality control measures were applied to prevent contamination during sampling and analysis. Microplastics were

identified, classified, and measured through microscopic analysis, and their surface morphology and chemical composition

were assessed using advanced techniques such as Scanning Electron Microscope Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy

(SEM-EDS) and Attenuated Total Reflection-Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR). Results reveal that

microplastics were present in 89% of the milk samples. They exhibited diverse colours, shapes, and sizes, with fibrous particles

(52%) being the most common. ATR-FTIR analysis identified 7 types of microplastics, with ethylene propylene being

the most prevalent (77%). This study highlights the potential risk of microplastic contamination in raw milk.