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Evaluation of Microplastics and Oxidative Stress Biomarkers in Marine Fish
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Scientists found tiny plastic bits (from things like packaging and synthetic fabrics) inside the gills, guts, and muscle of three popular seafood fish, and these plastics were linked to cell damage from oxidative stress—basically, wear and tear at the cellular level that varied depending on the fish species. This matters because it suggests the fish we eat may be absorbing plastic pollution in ways that affect their health, and since we eat the muscle tissue too, it raises questions about what we might be consuming along with our seafood—though more research is needed to know exactly how this impacts human health.
This study examined microplastic accumulation and oxidative stress in three commercial marine fish: oil sardine (Sardinella longiceps), anchovy (Stolephorus indicus), and red snapper (Lutjanus malabaricus) from Chennai. Tissues (gill, gut and muscle; 2 grams each) were digested with potassium hydroxide, densityseparation was done using saturated sodium chloride, filtered, and analysed with a stereomicroscope. Microplastics ranged between 100 and 500 micrometers, mainly fibers and fragments in blue, black, pink, red, violet, green, and brown colours. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) identified nylon, polystyrene, polycarbonate, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene terephthalate, polymethyl methacrylate, and polytetrafluoroethylene. Oxidative stress markers were measured: malondialdehyde (lipid peroxidation at 532 nanometers), peroxidase (470 nanometres), and catalase (240 nanometers). Red snapper (Lutjanus malabaricus) showed highest malondialdehyde, followed by anchovy (Stolephorus indicus) and oil sardine (Sardinella longiceps). Catalase activity was high in oil sardine (Sardinella longiceps) compared with red snapper (Lutjanus malabaricus). One-way ANOVA analysis of variance indicated high significant species effect on malondialdehyde (F (2,6) = 257.01, P < 0.001) meanwhile peroxidase (F (2,6) = 15.83, P < 0.01) showed a significant effect and catalase (F (2,6) = 60.78, P < 0.001). Microplastics induce speciesspecific lipid peroxidation with distinct enzymatic antioxidant responses, posing risks to fish health and seafood safety. Enhanced monitoring is needed.
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Chronic exposure of mixed microplastics induces stress in Oreochromis niloticus
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Scientists exposed tilapia fish to microplastics for 30 days and found that higher doses caused real damage: liver problems, hormone imbalances, inflammation, and oxidative stress, plus plastic particles building up in their muscle tissue (the part we eat). This matters because it shows microplastic pollution isn't just an environmental nuisance, it can harm the health of fish we consume, raising questions about what long-term microplastic exposure might mean for people too.
Environmentally derived nanoplastics induce oxidative and genotoxic responses in gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata)
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Scientists created tiny plastic particles from real ocean pollution and exposed fish to them for four days. The plastic particles didn't kill the fish, but they damaged the fish's DNA and caused harmful stress inside their cells. This matters because these same tiny plastics are building up in our oceans and food chain, potentially affecting the seafood we eat.
Size-dependent internalization of micro- and nanoplastics induces pro-inflammatory and oxidative stress responses in marine and freshwater fish cell lines
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Scientists found that tiny plastic particles (microplastics) can slip inside fish cells and trigger inflammation and stress responses, even though the cells didn't die. Smaller particles got in more slowly but still caused problems, suggesting that as plastics break down into smaller pieces in the environment, they may still be harmful even if they don't kill cells outright. Since we eat fish and are exposed to similar tiny plastics ourselves, this research hints that microplastics could be quietly stressing our cells too, even without obvious damage.
Microplastics in Fish and Fishery Products and Risks for Human Health: A Review
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This review summarizes existing research on microplastic contamination in fish and seafood products and the associated human health risks. Microplastics found in fish can carry harmful chemicals and pathogens, and once eaten by humans, they may cause oxidative stress and move from the gut to other tissues. The review highlights seafood as a major dietary source of microplastic exposure and calls for better monitoring and risk assessment.
Determination of microplastic-mediated oxidative stress responses and DNA damage in economically important fish species in the largest dam lakes (Keban, Karakaya, and Atatürk) of Türkiye
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Scientists found tiny plastic particles (microplastics) in the guts, gills, livers, and muscles of common food fish from three major reservoirs in Turkey, with the highest contamination in fish from the Keban Dam. These plastics were linked to cell damage, inflammation, and stress responses in the fish, signs that microplastic pollution may be harming aquatic life, which is worth watching since these same fish end up on people's dinner plates.
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