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Microplastics and Nanoplastics in the Beverage Supply Chain: A systematic review of sampling methodologies and analytical techniques
Summary
This review paper looked at 42 studies on how scientists detect tiny plastic particles (microplastics and nanoplastics) in drinks like water, soda, and juice, finding that current testing methods vary a lot and often aren't standardized enough to give reliable, comparable results. This matters because if we can't consistently measure how much plastic is actually in our beverages, it's hard to know the real scale of our exposure or accurately assess any health risks—the researchers call for better, more consistent testing methods so this can be figured out.
Microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs) have been widely recognized as emerging pollutants of considerable environmental and public health concern due to their persistence, heterogeneity, and potential for bioaccumulation in food and beverage systems. Identifying MPs and NPs at trace and ultra-trace levels within complex beverage matrices presents significant analytical challenges due to interference from sugars, pigments, carbonation, lipids, and proteins, with the broad size range and varied polymer chemistries of plastic particles. This systematic review critically evaluates forty-two peer-reviewed studies published between 2020 and 2025 that investigate sampling, extraction, identification, and quantification techniques for MPs and NPs across the beverage supply chain. Following PRISMA guidelines, the assessment compares the performance of dominant analytical platforms including micro-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (µ-FTIR), micro-Raman spectroscopy (µ-Raman), pyrolysis gas chromatography mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS), asymmetric flow field-flow fractionation (AF4) coupled with Raman detection, scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM/TEM), and hybrid multi-platform workflows. µ-FTIR and µ-Raman remain the most widely used particle-based approaches, while AF4–Raman and Py-GC/MS provide enhanced nanoscale resolution and polymer specificity. However, methodological inconsistencies, undefined detection limits, variable digestion efficiencies, and a lack of beverage-specific reference materials continue to limit cross-study comparability. The review highlights critical needs for standardized QA/QC protocols, validated nanoplastic workflows, contamination-controlled sampling procedures, and integration of AI-assisted spectral classification. Advancements in multimodal analytical systems and matrix-tailored sample preparation represent essential future directions for comprehensive monitoring and exposure assessment of MPs and NPs in beverages.