Detection and Characterization of Microplastics in Commercial Sugar Types: a New Challenge for Quality Control

The intersection between polymer science and human health is increasingly relevant, particularly regarding the presence of microplastics in food products intended for human consumption. This study focuses on the identification, concentration assessment, and potential contamination sources of microplastics in commercially available sugar. It aims to evaluate the health risks associated with microplastic exposure through sugar ingestion, employing a comprehensive characterization approach. The research emphasizes quality monitoring of sugar products and the presence of microplastics in these food matrices, with special attention to analytical techniques used for detection and characterization within sugar crystals. The objectives include a critical analysis of the occurrence of these contaminants. The study was driven by growing demands for quality and safety across the sugar production chain, particularly in light of increased sugar production in recent harvests. The presence of microplastics was confirmed using thermal (FTIR) and microscopic analyses, which revealed polymeric fragments in sugar samples attributed to contamination during processing, handling, or storage. Less processed products, such as demerara and VHP (Very High Polarization) sugars, showed greater variability in physicochemical parameters, phenolic content, and, in some cases, higher levels of contamination. This suggests that industrial processing control may reduce both bioactive compounds and contaminants. The findings highlight the importance of integrating phenolic compound quantification into routine quality control procedures, contributing to safer production practices aligned with sanitary and market requirements.