We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Oil extraction following digestion to separate microplastics from mussels
Summary
This study compared several chemical digestion and extraction methods for isolating microplastics from mussel tissue, finding that hydrogen peroxide digestion followed by oil-based extraction achieved over 95% recovery across multiple plastic types. Optimized extraction methods are essential for accurately detecting microplastic contamination in shellfish that humans consume.
Mussels are often used as biological indicators for monitoring marine microplastic pollution. The crucial procedure during monitoring is the separation of microplastics from mussel samples. We investigated the separation efficiencies of six combinations of two digestion solutions (10% KOH and 30% HO) and three extraction solutions (NaCl, oil in HO, and oil in NaCl) for mussels with low- and high-density microplastics. After KOH digestion, no polyethylene terephthalate (PET) could be extracted using the three extraction solutions, which might be due to the degradation of PET. After HO digestion, the total extraction recovery rates of polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, and PET for oil in HO and oil in NaCl solution ranged from 95.6% ± 5.09%-100%, which were higher than those of the saturated NaCl solution (51.1% ± 17.1%-67.8% ± 13.9%). The first extraction recovery rates of oil in NaCl solution for PP, PET, and PVC were higher than those of oil in HO. In this study, extraction by oil in NaCl solution after 30% HO digestion was suggested to separate microplastics from mussels. This method is conducive to promoting the standardization of microplastic monitoring in mussels and might be suitable for large-scale monitoring of marine microplastic pollution.
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
Optimization of a new multi-reagent procedure for quantitative mussel digestion in microplastic analysis
This study optimized a chemical digestion protocol for extracting microplastics from mussel tissue by testing combinations of multiple reagents, aiming to completely destroy biological material while preserving plastic particles for analysis. The optimized method improved microplastic recovery compared to single-reagent approaches. Accurate extraction methods are critical for reliably measuring microplastic contamination in mussels, a widely consumed shellfish and important food safety indicator.
Development and optimization of a standard method for extraction of microplastics in mussels by enzyme digestion of soft tissues
Researchers optimized methods for digesting mussel soft tissue and extracting microplastics for analysis, finding that sodium hydroxide and enzymatic digestion both achieved high recoveries (~93%) while acid digestion damaged certain plastic types. The validated method provides a reliable protocol for monitoring microplastic contamination in commercially important bivalves.
Evaluation of Digestion Methods in Microplastic Recovery from Mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) for a Standardised Microplastic Isolation Protocol
Researchers compared two common chemical digestion methods for isolating microplastics from mussels, testing potassium hydroxide and hydrogen peroxide across a range of temperatures on samples spiked with known quantities of virgin microplastics. Both reagents provided good digestion efficiency, but recovery rates varied depending on temperature and exposure time. The study contributes toward standardizing microplastic extraction protocols for bivalve monitoring programs.
Extraction and identification of microplastics from mussels: Method development and preliminary results
Scientists developed and validated a method for extracting and identifying microplastics from mussel tissue, then applied it to measure contamination in commercially harvested mussels. The method produced reliable, reproducible results, providing a practical tool for monitoring microplastic levels in one of the world's most widely consumed shellfish.
Efficiency assessment of microplastic extraction from green mussel \(\textit{Perna viridis}\) Linnaeus
This study evaluated and optimized laboratory extraction methods for isolating and identifying microplastics from the tissues of green mussels, which accumulate plastic particles through their filter-feeding habits. Reliable extraction methods are essential for accurately quantifying microplastic contamination in shellfish consumed by humans.