We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Microplastics contamination in eggs: Detection, occurrence and status
Summary
Researchers detected microplastics in commercially sold chicken eggs for the first time, finding an average of nearly 12 particles per egg. Most particles were spherical polyethylene in the 50 to 100 micrometer size range, and egg yolks contained more microplastics than egg whites, with cooking having no significant effect on the count. The study highlights eggs as another dietary pathway for human microplastic exposure and calls for measures to address contamination in the food supply.
Nowadays, the widespread distribution of microplastics (MPs) in various foods has received much attention. In this study, eggs were purchased as samples from local supermarkets to detect and analyze the presence of MPs. The digestion method was optimized for eggs to better isolate MPs, which proved MPs indeed exist in eggs, and the average content was 11.67 ± 3.98 particles/egg. The shape and size range of most MPs were spherical and 50-100 μm. The infrared results showed that the main type of MPs in eggs was polyethylene. The number of MPs in egg yolk was higher than that in egg white, and there was no significant change after cooking. In addition, the daily human intake of MPs was estimated. Therefore, the results of this study provided a background for the current status and pollution of MPs in eggs, and proposed the necessary control and preventive measures to avoid this situation.