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Assessment of Pollution Indices of Microplastic Contamination in Commercially Important Brachyuran Crab (Portunus sanguinolentus)
Summary
A study of 300 commercially harvested three-spot swimming crabs (Portunus sanguinolentus) from three ports in Gujarat, India, found microplastics in all samples, with two of the three sites classified in the highest risk contamination categories. Fibers dominated, and common packaging polymers including polyethylene and polystyrene were identified, raising food safety concerns for seafood consumers in the region.
Abstract Microplastic (MP) in seafood is a growing area of food safety. In the present study, MP contamination in the commercially important crab,Portunus sanguinolentus,of Gujarat state, India, was assessed. A total of 300 crab specimens were collected from three principal fishing harbors in Gujarat. The collected specimens were analyzed using a previously used methodology. The average abundance of MP was recorded as 0.67 ± 0.62 MPs/g. The pollution indices revealed high contamination and fell under class IV (Jakhau) and V risk categories (Okha and Veraval). Threads were found dominantly. Blue and black-colored MPs with 1–2 mm sizes were recorded dominantly. Polyethylene, Polyethylene tetraphene, polyurethane, polystyrene, and polypropylene were identified as polymer compositions of MPs. Concludingly, the present study gives an insight into the MP in crabs, which can help design further investigations on the toxicity of MPs in seafood.