Microplastic contamination in fresh fish: insights from wet market in Selangor, Malaysia

The accumulation of microplastics (MPs) in fish has emerged as a significant concern, as it poses potential risks to aquatic ecosystems and human health. This study aimed to determine the presence of MPs in the gut and muscle tissue of fresh fish from Pasir Penambang wet market, Kuala Selangor, Malaysia. In this study, microplastic polymers from Lutjanus erythropterus, Atule mate, Pampus argenteus and Rastrelliger kanagurta were quantified and analyzed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy – attenuated total reflectance (ATR-FTIR). The highest MPs abundance (in both gut and muscle) was found in L. erythropterus (8.23 ± 11.57 P/gram of tissue), followed by A. mate (4.80 ± 3.61 P/gram of tissue), R. kanagurta (3.40 ± 3.61 P/gram of tissue), and P. argenteus (2.70 ± 1.85 P/gram of tissue). Fiber was the most dominant shape in both the gut (73.2%) and muscle tissue (81.4%). Black was the most abundant color in both the gut (51.79%) and muscle tissue (54.64%). High amounts of MPs were found with sizes smaller than 0.5 mm in the gut (57.44%) and muscle (42.27%). Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is the most abundant polymer, with polypropylene (PP) and cellulose acetate following closely behind. Additionally, an estimated annual intake (EAI) of around 5.445x10-3 to 3.8445x10-2 P/kg/bw/year and 9.075x10-4 to 6. 4075x10-3 P/kg/bw/year were determined for two groups of adults and children, respectively. MPs can accumulate in the gastrointestinal system of fish upon ingestion and subsequently migrate to various tissues inside the body. This study highlights the ubiquitous extent of MPs pollution in marine ecosystems and assesses its potential consumption through the human diet.