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Occurrence and Potential Health Risk of Microplastics in Commonly Consumed Fruits: Evidence from Guava (Psidium guajava), Banana (Musa acuminata) and Apple (Malus domestica)
Summary
Researchers found tiny plastic fibers in guava, banana, and apple samples bought from Malaysian supermarkets, with apples showing the highest levels. This suggests everyday fruit could be a hidden source of microplastic exposure, though scientists still don't fully understand how these particles get into fruit or what long-term health effects they might cause—more research is needed before we can say how worried we should be.
Introduction: There is a growing concern of food contamination in fresh produce due to the potential presence of microplastics in fruits such as guava, banana, and apple. The microplastics pathway into the fruits remains poorly understood, which may lead to food safety issues and potential health risks. This study investigates the abundance and characteristics of microplastics and their potential health risks in guava, banana, and apple. Methods: Microplastics were quantified and characterized based on size, color, shape and polymer composition in fruit samples purchased from supermarkets in Puncak Alam, Selangor, Malaysia and analyzed using stereomicroscopy and Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Results and Discussion: Results showed that there was no significant difference (p > 0.05) in the abundance of microplastics across the fruit samples. The microplastics particles were equally distributed. Stereomicroscopic observation revealed that fiber-shaped microplastics in transparent/white color were the most commonly found with ranging size up to 4.20 mm. Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy determined the polymer type contained in fruit samples and discovered polyacetylene as the dominant polymer type. The potential health risk result indicates that apples may contribute to a higher accumulation of microplastics in the human body due to their higher concentration compared to other fruits. Conclusion: The findings demonstrate that most commonly consumed fruits may potentially source of microplastic to human through daily intake. This study provides important baseline evidence for dietary microplastic exposure and underscores the need for improved food safety monitoring and further investigation into long-term health risks.