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Testing of Different Digestion Solutions on Tissue Samples and the Effects of Used Potassium Hydroxide Solution on Polystyrene Microspheres
Summary
Researchers tested different chemical solutions for dissolving animal tissue samples to isolate and detect microplastics without damaging the plastic particles. They found that potassium hydroxide effectively digested kidney, lung, liver, and brain tissue while largely preserving polystyrene microspheres used as test particles. The study provides a practical, affordable method for researchers studying microplastic accumulation in organs, though some changes to particle surface properties were noted.
Microplastic particles are ubiquitous in our environment, having entered the air, the water, the soil, and ultimately our food chain. Owing to their small size, these particles can potentially enter the bloodstream and accumulate in the organs. To detect microplastics using existing methods, they must first be isolated. The aim of this study was to develop a non-destructive method for efficiently and affordably isolating plastic particles. We investigated the digestion of kidney, lung, liver, and brain samples from pigs. Kidney samples were analyzed using light microscopy after incubation with proteinase K, pepsin/pancreatin, and 10% potassium hydroxide (KOH) solution. Various KOH:tissue ratios were employed for the digestion of lung, liver, and brain samples. Additionally, we examined the effect of 10% KOH solution on added polystyrene microplastics using scanning electron microscopy. Our findings revealed that a 10% KOH solution is the most suitable for dissolving diverse organ samples, while enzymatic methods require further refinement. Moreover, we demonstrated that commonly used 1 µm polystyrene particles remain unaffected by 10% KOH solution even after 76 h of incubation. Digestion by KOH offers a simple and cost-effective approach for processing organ samples and holds potential for isolating plastic particles from meat products.