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Single-particle analysis of micro/nanoplastics by SEM-Raman technique
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Researchers assessed the contamination of commercial honey samples with microplastics from 30 countries, detecting particles in 83% of tested products with polypropylene and polyethylene dominating. The results suggest that food chain exposure to microplastics is widespread even in products from remote areas.
Micro/nanoplastics (MNPs) have received global concern due to their widespread contamination, ingestion in organisms, and the ability to cross the biological barrier. Although MNPs have been detected in a variety of ecosystems, the identification of single MNPs remains an unsolved challenge. Herein, for the first time, scanning electron microscope (SEM) coupled with surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS), which combined the advantages of ultrahigh spatial resolution of SEM and structural fingerprint of Raman spectroscopy, was proposed to identify MNPs at single-particle level. Under the optimum conditions, the polystyrene (PS) MNPs with sizes of 500 nm and 1 μm were identified by the image of SEM and fingerprint peaks of Raman spectroscopy. Additionally, the applicability of the method in different sample matrices and for other types of MNPs such as poly-methyl methacrylate (PMMA) with the sizes of 300 nm, 1 μm were validated. This method is simple, rapid and effective and is likely to provide an essential tool to identify other micro/nanoparticles in addition to MNPs.
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Honey as a bioindicator of microplastic pollution: insights from industrial and special honey types
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Researchers analyzed industrial and artisanal honeys from Türkiye for microplastic contamination using microscopy and FTIR spectroscopy. Microplastics were detected in 93% of samples, with industrial honeys containing higher concentrations than artisanal varieties, suggesting that processing and packaging contribute to contamination. The study estimates daily microplastic intake from honey consumption and highlights honey as a useful bioindicator of environmental microplastic pollution.
Honey Quality and Microplastic Migration from Food Packaging: A Potential Threat for Consumer Health?
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Researchers investigated the potential for microplastic migration from plastic food packaging into honey products, reviewing evidence that storage containers can release microplastic and nanoplastic particles into this widely consumed food, posing potential consumer health concerns.
Microplastics in commercial food products from the United Kingdom market: Implications for human exposure
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Researchers analyzed eight commonly consumed food and beverage products from Birmingham, UK markets — including table salt, honey, milk, and cooking oil — detecting microplastics in all categories, with polypropylene and polyethylene as the most common polymer types.
Microplastic Migration from Plastic Packaging into Honey
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Researchers tested honey from flexible plastic pouches under dry outdoor and refrigeration storage conditions, finding direct evidence that microplastics migrate from the packaging into the honey, contaminating a product traditionally prized for its purity.
More than just sweet: current insights into microplastics in honey products and a case study of Melipona quadrifasciata honey
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Researchers found microplastic contamination in 100% of honey samples from native Brazilian bees, with polypropylene fibers being the most common type detected. Concentrations ranged from 0.1 to 2.6 particles per milliliter of honey, showing that even honey from native bee species in vegetated areas is contaminated. This adds honey to the growing list of everyday foods through which people regularly consume microplastics.
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When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.