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Evidence of internalized microplastics in mussel tissues detected by volumetric Raman imaging
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Using advanced 3D Raman imaging, researchers confirmed that microplastics become internalized within mussel tissue cells, not just trapped in the gut. The technique allowed them to identify the specific plastic types embedded inside the tissue. This is significant for human health because it demonstrates that microplastics in seafood are not limited to the digestive system that might be removed before eating, but are present within the meat itself.
Microplastics are a global ecological concern due to their potential risk to wildlife and human health. Animals ingest microplastics, which can enter the trophic chain and ultimately impact human well-being. The ingestion of microplastics can cause physical and chemical damage to the animals' digestive systems, affecting their health. To estimate the risk to ecosystems and human health, it is crucial to understand the accumulation and localization of ingested microplastics within the cells and tissues of living organisms. However, analyzing this issue is challenging due to the risk of sample contamination, given the ubiquity of microplastics. Here, an analytical approach is employed to confirm the internalization of microplastics in cryogenic cross-sections of mussel tissue. Using 3D Raman confocal microscopy in combination with chemometrics, microplastics measuring 1 μm in size were detected. The results were further validated using optical and fluorescence microscopy. The findings revealed evidence of microplastics being internalized in the digestive epithelial tissues of exposed mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis), specifically within the digestive cells forming digestive alveoli. This study highlights the need to investigate the internalization of microplastics in organisms like mussels, as it helps us understand the potential risks they pose to aquatic biota and ultimately to human health. By employing advanced imaging techniques, challenges associated with sample contamination can be overcome and valuable insights into the impact of microplastics on marine ecosystems and human consumers are provided.
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Misinterpretation in microplastic detection in biological tissues: When 2D imaging is not enough
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Researchers demonstrated that 2D Raman imaging alone can misidentify microplastics in biological tissues, showing that 3D confocal Raman imaging is necessary to accurately distinguish microplastic particles from tissue components in mussels.
Determination of microplastics in the edible green-lipped mussel Perna viridis using an automated mapping technique of Raman microspectroscopy
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Researchers used automated Raman microspectroscopy to identify and quantify microplastics in edible green-lipped mussels from Hong Kong mariculture zones. The study found microplastics in all sampled mussels, with fibers being the most common type, raising concerns about human dietary exposure given Hong Kong's high per-capita seafood consumption.
Micro and Nanoplastics size distribution in mussel tissues: first evidence, identification, and quantification in the nanogram range
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Italian researchers used a highly sensitive mass spectrometry technique to detect and quantify both microplastics and nanoplastics in farmed mussels, finding plastic particles in every sample tested. Nanoplastics in the 20–200 nm range were present in substantial quantities, and the authors estimate that European seafood consumers could ingest over 2 milligrams of nanoplastics per year through mussel consumption alone. This is one of the first studies to directly quantify nanoplastics in a commonly eaten seafood, raising significant concerns about dietary exposure.
Analysis of microplastics of a broad size range in commercially important mussels by combining FTIR and Raman spectroscopy approaches
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Researchers developed an approach combining FTIR and Raman spectroscopy to analyze microplastics across a broad size range in commercially important mussels. They found that using both techniques together captured a wider spectrum of particle sizes and polymer types than either method alone. The study provides a more complete picture of microplastic contamination in seafood and highlights the importance of using complementary analytical methods for accurate assessment.
Combining microcavity size selection with Raman microscopy for the characterization of Nanoplastics in complex matrices
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