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Microplastics in milk and dairy products. The effect of processing operations on their distribution and detection
Original title: Микропластик в молоке и молочных продуктах. Влияние технологических операций переработки на его распределение и обнаружение
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Researchers tested how tiny plastic particles (microplastics) behave when milk goes through the separation process that splits it into cream and skim milk, deliberately adding plastic bits to see where they ended up. They found that microplastics distribute differently between cream, skim milk, and separator equipment surfaces, suggesting how milk is processed could affect how much plastic ends up in your dairy products. That said, scientists still don't have enough evidence to say exactly how much risk this poses to human health, since the World Health Organization notes most microplastics we swallow simply pass through our bodies.
Наличие микропластика (МП) в объектах окружающей среды и разработка подходов к его контролю являются актуальными направлениями исследований. Многочисленными исследованиями подтверждено наличие МП и нанопластика (НП) в воздухе, воде, объектах пищевой промышленности и даже в организмах живых существ. Очевидно, что увеличение объемов производства и использования синтетических полимеров в различных областях хозяйственной деятельности человека и, соответственно, накопление полимерных отходов способствуют увеличению количества МП. Анализ возможных механизмов образования микрочастиц показывает, что вероятность их «отщепления» от макромолекул полимеров возрастает при старении последних, а также при вторичном и третичном использовании. Технологические приемы, применяемые для ускорения процессов деградации полимеров, одновременно провоцируют более интенсивное образование МП и НП. При анализе работ, посвященных данной проблеме, отмечено отсутствие единого подхода к изучению путей попадания искомых фрагментов полимеров в различные среды и интерпретации полученных результатов. Это в полной мере относится и к пищевой продукции. Некоторые данные о большом количестве МП в продуктах не имеют достоверного подтверждения. Согласно официальной позиции Всемирной организации здравоохранения (ВОЗ), значительная часть частиц МП, поступающих в желудочно-кишечный тракт, элиминируется из организма естественным путем. Вместе с тем имеющихся данных недостаточно для окончательной оценки возможного воздействия МП на здоровье человека. Целью работы являлась оценка влияния сепарирования молока на распределение частиц МП между сливками, обезжиренным молоком и поверхностями дисков сепаратора. Исследования проведены в условиях принудительного внесения в молоко частиц различного размера двух типов полимеров (полиолефинов и полиэфиров). Представлены микроснимки, позволяющие оценить распределение частиц МП на отдельных этапах переработки молока и возможные риски их перехода в молочные продукты. The presence of microplastics (MPs) in environmental objects and the development of approaches to their control are relevant areas of research. Numerous studies have confirmed the presence of MPs and nanoplastics (NPs) in the air, water, food industry facilities, and even in the bodies of living beings. It is clear that the increased production and use of synthetic polymers in various areas of human activity, and the resulting accumulation of polymer waste, contribute to the increase in the number of MPs. An analysis of possible mechanisms for the formation of microparticles shows that the probability of their «detachment» from polymer macromolecules increases with the aging of the latter, as well as with secondary and tertiary use. The technological methods used to accelerate the degradation processes of polymers simultaneously provoke more intensive formation of MP and NP. When analyzing the works devoted to this problem, it was noted that there is no unified approach to studying the ways in which the sought-after polymer fragments enter various environments and interpreting the results obtained. This applies to food products as well. Some data on the high levels of MP in food products do not have reliable confirmation. According to the official position of the World Health Organization (WHO), a significant portion of MP particles entering the gastrointestinal tract is eliminated from the body naturally. However, the available data is insufficient for a definitive assessment of the potential impact of MP on human health.The aim of the work was to assess the effect of milk separation on the distribution of MP particles between cream, skim milk, and the surfaces of the separator discs. The studies were conducted under the conditions of forced addition of particles of different sizes of two types of polymers (polyolefins and polyesters) to milk. The presented micrographs allow us to assess the distribution of MP particles at different stages of milk processing and the possible risks of their transfer to dairy products.
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