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From the ocean to jellies forth and back? Microplastics along the commercial life cycle of red algae
Summary
This study identified knowledge gaps about microplastic contamination throughout the commercial life cycle of red algae, from ocean harvesting through industrial processing into agar and carrageenan food additives, raising concerns about microplastic transfer into widely consumed food and personal care products.
Red algae are increasingly exploited for direct consumption and for production of gelling agents like agar and carrageenan, widely employed in food and personal care products. In this article we identify knowledge gaps about microplastics in the whole commercial life cycle of gelling red algae, from their marine production to the final wastewater treatment. Recommendations for new research include studies of microplastics deposition on red algae at sea, during the industrial process of production of gelling agents, and indeed about improvements of microplastics retention in wastewater treatment plants.