Microplastic Determination Through Selective Microwave Sample Preparation

The determination of microplastics (MPs) is a crucial aspect for the protection of the environment and human health. Their determination in fish tissue is analytically challenging due to the difficulties in designing an efficient and selective protocol for separating MPs from fish tissue without affecting their amount. Microwave sample preparation has been successfully applied for several analysis due to its selectivity and efficiency, achievable through selective heating.

We share a new study describing a unique, innovative, and quick microwave protocol to selective decompose only fish tissue without affecting MPs, followed by the gravimetric determination of MPs.

Highlights

• A single method for microplastics and elemental contaminants determination was developed.
• A protocol for environmental risk assessment monitoring is based on selective fish digestion.
• Microplastics must be also considered a potential source of toxic elements to marine environment.
• Evaluation of human exposition to different marine pollutants.

Read the complete study here.

Learn more about it directly from their research scientists! Watch the webcast and listen from prof. Cezar A. Bizzi* about his research and findings of a new easy-to-apply protocol for the gravimetric determination of MPs in fish tissue.

* the Department of Chemistry, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria

Follow this link to watch the Webcast.

Read the scientific paper here.