Description
The mismanagement of plastic waste and its accumulation in the environment has resulted in the presence of microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs) in the food chain and the exposure of consumers and wildlife. Various analytical techniques have been developed for detecting and characterising synthetic polymer particles at the micro- and nano-scale. Yet, no unique method stands out for its ability to properly yield all the relevant information required to address MPs and NPs contamination. Consequently, there is still a severe lack of information about the occurrence of plastic particles in food which prevents the correct assessment of the food safety risks related to those contaminants.In this presentation, two European Horizon 2020 projects addressing the issue of MPs and NPs analysis will be presented: the MONPLAS project on enabling methodologies for robust, easy and low-cost determination of MPs and NPs; and PlasticsFatE, on improved understanding of the impact of MPs and NPs and associated additives/adsorbed contaminants on human health.
An overview of the most recent advances in the sample preparation and analysis of MPs in food will be given, emphasising reliable quantification strategies in microscopy and the potential of direct mass spectrometry (MS) for single particle analysis of MPs. In particular, we propose the combined detection and quantification of MPs by Nile red staining and fluorescence microscopy plus chemical characterisation of individual particles by ambient ionisation mass spectrometry using an Atmospheric Solids Analysis Probe (ASAP). The methodology developed includes an extensive assessment of quality parameters and, thanks to its multimodal characteristics, even enables the discrimination of MP polymers belonging to the same chemical class without interferences from MP surface contamination.
Finally, emerging analytical techniques for the detection and characterisation of NPs will be briefly discussed, with particular emphasis on infrared nanospectroscopy.
Period | 7 Nov 2022 |
---|---|
Event title | IUPAC Special Symposia: "The Environment, Health and Food Safety Impact of Microplastics" |
Event type | Conference/symposium |
Location | Angkor Wat, CambodiaShow on map |