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Preliminary Identification of the Bioaccumulation of Microplastic Particles in Oreochromis niloticus (Tilapia) Sold at Polomolok Public Market
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Researchers extracted microplastics from the digestive tracts of 30 market-sold tilapia in the Philippines, finding 2,237 particles per sample set with polystyrene dominant, and showed that contamination varied significantly between market stalls but was unrelated to fish size — pointing to environmental exposure rather than individual fish biology as the primary driver.
Microplastic pollution in freshwater systems poses emerging risks to food safety and human health. This study assessed the bioaccumulation of microplastics in O. niloticus (Tilapia) sold at the Polomolok Public Market, South Cotabato, Philippines. A descriptive comparative cross-sectional design was used, with thirty fish sampled from three market stalls. Microplastics were extracted from gastrointestinal tracts using potassium hydroxide digestion, followed by density separation and microscopic identification. Microplastics were detected in all samples, yielding a total of 2,237 particles. Polystyrene was the dominant type, followed by pellets and fragments, while fluorocarbon particles were not observed. Variations in microplastic abundance were noted across sampling locations, with Stall 3 consistently showing higher counts. Statistical analysis revealed a significant difference among stalls (Kruskal–Wallis test, p = 0.010), and pairwise comparisons confirmed a significant difference between Stall 1 and Stall 3. No statistically significant correlation was found between microplastic load and morphometric parameters, including body weight and gastrointestinal tract weight. These findings suggest that microplastic accumulation in O. niloticus is influenced more by environmental exposure than by fish size. The presence of microplastics in market-sold fish raises concerns for consumer exposure and highlights the need for improved waste management and continued monitoring.
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Preliminary Identification of the Bioaccumulation of Microplastic Particles in Oreochromis niloticus (Tilapia) Sold at Polomolok Public Market
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers extracted microplastics from the gastrointestinal tracts of 30 market-sold tilapia in the Philippines, finding 2,237 particles total with polystyrene dominating, and determined that contamination levels varied significantly by vendor stall location but showed no correlation with fish body size — implicating local environmental exposure over fish physiology.
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This review summarizes evidence of microplastic contamination in Oreochromis tilapia species across multiple geographic regions, examining abundance, polymer types, and potential pathways of MP ingestion, with implications for seafood safety and aquaculture management.
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