Effectiveness of Corn Cobs in Reducing Microplastic Content in Bamboo Clams (Solen sp.) in Tanjung Mallasoro

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of natural adsorbents—wet and dry corn cobs—in reducing microplastic concentrations in bamboo mussels (Solen sp.) from Tanjung Mallasoro, Jeneponto Regency. Theoretical Framework: Microplastics are hazardous pollutants that pose significant threats to aquatic organisms by disrupting organ functions and potentially impacting human health through bioaccumulation in the food chain. Depuration is a post-harvest method used to reduce microplastic content in aquatic organisms, particularly shellfish, enhancing seafood safety. Method: The methodology adopted for this research comprises An experimental study was conducted using a Completely Randomized Design (CRD), involving three treatment groups: control (no depuration), wet corn cob, and dry corn cob, tested across two sampling stations. Clams were subjected to three depuration durations (12, 24, and 36 hours), each replicated three times. Each treatment used 15 clams per pot and 6 pots per group, totaling 90 clams per treatment. Microplastic concentrations were quantified and analyzed using ANOVA, with post hoc tests applied to detect significant differences between treatments. Results and Discussion: The results revealed that dry corncobs were more effective than wet corncobs in reducing microplastic levels, particularly after 36 hours of depuration, which showed the lowest average microplastic content of 3.87 particles per individual (Mps/Ind). A clear trend was observed: the longer the depuration duration, the lower the microplastic content. Research Implications: The practical and theoretical implications of this study are discussed, providing insights into how the use of local corncobs—an agricultural byproduct—as an environmentally friendly bioadsorbent, and the use of traditional earthenware pots as processing vessels, support practical and sustainable methods for seafood safety. Originality/Value: This study contributes to the literature with novel findings demonstrating that depuration using dried corncobs is an effective and low-cost strategy for reducing microplastics in shellfish. Further research is recommended to explore other locally sourced natural materials for broader application in mitigating microplastic contamination in marine biota.