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Optimization of an analytical methodology to determine microplastic contamination in different seaweed groups (Phaeophyceae, Rhodophyta and Chlorophyta)
Summary
Seaweed growing in ocean waters can accumulate microplastics from its surrounding environment, making it a potential indicator species — but extracting microplastics from algae without destroying the plastic particles is technically difficult. This study optimized a two-step digestion process using cellulase enzymes followed by hydrogen peroxide for three species of seaweed, successfully recovering 8 of 12 tested polymer types with over 90% accuracy. The protocol gives researchers a reliable method for quantifying microplastics in seaweed, which matters both for environmental monitoring and for the growing seaweed food and supplement industry.
Seaweed are primary producers and potential vectors of microplastics (MPs) contamination, yet robust extraction methods that digest complex algal matrices while preserving polymer integrity remain limited. A sequential enzymatic-oxidative digestion was optimized for three seaweeds (Fucus vesiculosus, Chondrus crispus and Ulva lactuca). The optimized process involved the initial addition of cellulase (1% w/v, 24 h, 50 °C) followed by H₂O₂ (30% v/v, 48-72 h, 65 °C). Across nine 0.5 g dry-weight sub-replicates (3 per seaweed), 30 MPs were found (6.7 MPs/g⁻¹). The integrity of polymers was assessed for 12 MPs polymers, with acceptable performance being defined as ≥ 90% recovery and spectroscopic (through FTIR analysis) identifiability. Eight polymers met this threshold (90-101%). Four polymers were adversely affected with the long 72 H₂O₂ incubation, namely: cellulose-acetate (53% recovery), polyamide (61%), acrylic (3%) and rayon (2%). Although polymers remained identifiable, sequential digestion produced mass loss and visible changes (e.g. polyamide opacity, cellulose-acetate brittleness), which may increase fragmentation and miss-identification. Therefore, the protocol is suitable for most common MPs, but not for rayon and acrylic, and should be applied cautiously where cellulose-acetate or polyamide are expected.
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