Papers

61,005 results
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Article Tier 2

Microplastics’ Shape and Morphology Analysis in the Presence of Natural Organic Matter Using Flow Imaging Microscopy

Researchers introduced an innovative flow imaging microscopy approach for rapidly identifying and quantifying microplastics in wastewater treatment plant samples. The study demonstrates that this method can simultaneously capture and classify polyethylene and polystyrene particles while also analyzing how natural organic matter affects microplastic shape and morphology.

2023 Molecules 11 citations
Article Tier 2

Micro-plastics as a source of contaminaion in pharmaceuticals

This review examined how microplastics contaminate pharmaceutical manufacturing environments and products, discussing the potential health risks of plastic particle exposure through medicines and the pathways by which microplastics enter pharmaceutical supply chains.

2025 International Journal of Pharmaceutical Research and Development
Article Tier 2

Evaluation of Ceramic Membrane Filtration for Alternatives to Microplastics in Cosmetic Formulations Using FlowCam Analysis

Ceramic membrane crossflow filtration was evaluated for removing silica powder and cornstarch—common microplastic alternatives in cosmetics—with FlowCam particle analysis revealing high removal efficiency and insights into particle behavior that can guide greener cosmetic formulation strategies.

2025 Membranes 2 citations
Article Tier 2

Morphologically-Directed Raman Spectroscopy as an Analytical Method for Subvisible Particle Characterization in Therapeutic Protein Product Quality

Researchers tested a method called Morphologically-Directed Raman Spectroscopy (MDRS) to identify and chemically characterize tiny particles in injectable drug products, successfully identifying over 90% of particles between 19 and 100 micrometers. This technique could improve quality control for pharmaceuticals and has parallels to methods used to identify microplastic particles in environmental samples.

2023 Scientific Reports 4 citations
Article Tier 2

A Comparison of Different Approaches for Characterizing Microplastics in Selected Personal Care Products

Researchers compared particle size analysis, light microscopy, and imaging flow cytometry combined with micro-FTIR spectroscopy for characterizing microplastics in personal care products, finding that methodology choice significantly affects quantification results and highlighting the need for standardized approaches.

2021 Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry 30 citations
Article Tier 2

Determination of the pharmaceuticals–nano/microplastics in aquatic systems by analytical and instrumental methods

Researchers reviewed analytical and instrumental methods for detecting pharmaceutical compounds associated with nano- and microplastic particles in aquatic systems. They examined how pharmaceuticals bind to plastic particles and the combined environmental risks these mixtures pose to water sources and marine life. The study identifies gaps in current detection capabilities and calls for improved methods to assess the combined impact of these co-occurring pollutants.

2022 Environmental Monitoring and Assessment 46 citations
Article Tier 2

Flow cytometry as new promising detection tool for micro and submicron plastic particles

Researchers evaluated flow cytometry as a tool for detecting and counting micro- and submicron plastic particles in environmental and biological samples. The method offered rapid throughput and the ability to distinguish plastic particles from biological material, but required careful optimization for complex matrices.

2024 Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Article Tier 2

Flow cytometry as new promising detection tool for micro and submicron plastic particles

Researchers evaluated flow cytometry as a detection tool for micro- and nanoplastics, testing its ability to rapidly identify and count plastic particles in environmental and biological samples. Results demonstrated that flow cytometry offers a promising high-throughput approach for microplastic detection compared to more time-intensive conventional methods.

2024 Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Article Tier 2

The micro-, submicron-, and nanoplastic hunt: A review of detection methods for plastic particles

This review systematically summarizes detection and characterization methods for micro-, submicron-, and nanoplastics, providing recommendations for method validation, standardization, and analytical pathways suited to different sample types and research goals.

2022 Chemosphere 136 citations
Article Tier 2

Challenges in Determining the Size Distribution of Nanoparticles in Consumer Products by Asymmetric Flow Field-Flow Fractionation Coupled to Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry: The Example of Al2O3, TiO2, and SiO2 Nanoparticles in Toothpaste

This study developed a method for determining the size of nanoparticles in consumer products like toothpaste using asymmetric flow field-flow fractionation coupled to mass spectrometry. The methodology has direct relevance to detecting and characterizing nanoplastic particles in personal care products and other consumer goods.

2018 Separations 27 citations
Article Tier 2

From qualitative to quantitative measurement of small microplastics using multi-detector field flow fractionation coupled offline to microscopy and raman spectroscopy

This study developed an analytical method combining multi-detector field flow fractionation with offline microscopy and Raman spectroscopy to move from simply identifying microplastics to accurately measuring their quantity in small size ranges. Improved quantification methods are critical because current inconsistencies in measurement approaches make it difficult to set health-based exposure limits or compare contamination levels across studies.

2026 Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Article Tier 2

From qualitative to quantitative measurement of small microplastics using multi-detector field flow fractionation coupled offline to microscopy and raman spectroscopy

This study developed an analytical method combining multi-detector field flow fractionation with offline microscopy and Raman spectroscopy to move from simply identifying microplastics to accurately measuring their quantity in small size ranges. Improved quantification methods are critical because current inconsistencies in measurement approaches make it difficult to set health-based exposure limits or compare contamination levels across studies.

2026 Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Article Tier 2

Spectro‐Microscopic Techniques for Studying Nanoplastics in the Environment and in Organisms

This review examines spectro-microscopic techniques for detecting and characterizing nanoplastics (under 1 um) in environmental and biological matrices, arguing that effective analysis requires combining particle imaging with chemical characterization of the same particles, and highlighting methods capable of simultaneous morphological and chemical identification.

2022 Angewandte Chemie 3 citations
Article Tier 2

In-flow single particle detection of sub-100 micron microplastics

Researchers developed an in-flow single particle detection method for identifying microplastics smaller than 100 microns. The study addresses the particular concern around sub-100 micron microplastics, which are more likely to be ingested by organisms and are harder to detect using conventional methods.

2025 RSC Advances 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Impact of Microplastic Contaminants on Drug Stability and Safety

Researchers reviewed how microplastic contaminants may alter the stability, bioavailability, and safety of pharmaceutical products by adsorbing drug compounds and releasing them unpredictably. Survey data from pharmaceutical quality assurance professionals and literature synthesis identified specific mechanisms by which MPs could degrade drug formulations, flagging an underexplored drug safety concern.

2025 International Journal of Research in Humanities and Social Sciences
Article Tier 2

Matrix Overloading Effects on Size-Resolved Quantification of Low-Concentration Nanoplastics in Complex Environmental Matrices Using Asymmetric Flow Field-Flow Fractionation

Researchers developed a size-resolved method for quantifying nanoplastics in the 20-200 nm range in environmental water samples using asymmetric flow field-flow fractionation. The study identified important analytical artifacts from matrix overloading effects that can occur when measuring low-concentration nanoplastics in complex environmental samples, providing guidance for more accurate quantification methods.

2025 Analytical Chemistry 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Pharmaceuticals and micro(nano)plastics in the environment: Sorption and analytical challenges

This review examines how pharmaceutical residues and micro- and nanoplastics interact in water environments, finding that microplastics can adsorb medications and alter their environmental behavior. Factors like plastic type, surface area, and biological film growth all influence these interactions, but very few studies have been conducted under real-world conditions. The authors highlight persistent analytical challenges and the need for field-based research to understand actual risks.

2024 Trends in Environmental Analytical Chemistry 5 citations
Article Tier 2

Novel methodology for identification and quantification of microplastics in biological samples

Researchers validated a protocol for identifying and quantifying polyethylene microplastics in biological samples, finding that membrane filtration caused particle retention problems and that flow cytometry offered a more reliable alternative for analysis of biological digests.

2021 Environmental Pollution 35 citations
Article Tier 2

Physicochemical characterization and quantification of nanoplastics: applicability, limitations and complementarity of batch and fractionation methods

Researchers evaluated a suite of techniques for measuring the size, shape, and chemical makeup of nanoplastics — plastic particles smaller than 1 micrometer — and found that no single method works for all sample types, especially when particles vary in size or clump together. Combining multiple complementary techniques is essential for reliable nanoplastic characterization, particularly in complex environmental or biological samples.

2023 Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry 56 citations
Article Tier 2

Flow Raman Spectroscopy for the Detection and Identification of Small Microplastics

Researchers developed a new method using flow Raman spectroscopy to detect and identify individual microplastic particles as small as 4 micrometers while they move through water. Unlike current methods that require complex sample preparation, this technique could work in real time for monitoring food and drinking water quality. The method can distinguish between different plastic types even after they have been weathered by the environment.

2025 Sensors 6 citations
Article Tier 2

Matrix OverloadingEffects on Size-Resolved Quantificationof Low-Concentration Nanoplastics in Complex Environmental MatricesUsing Asymmetric Flow Field-Flow Fractionation

Researchers developed a size-resolved nanoplastic quantification method using asymmetric flow field-flow fractionation with on-channel preconcentration, identifying and characterizing matrix overloading effects that cause analytical artifacts when measuring nanoplastics in complex environmental water samples.

2025 Figshare
Article Tier 2

Finding the tiny plastic needle in the haystack: how field flow fractionation can help to analyze nanoplastics in food

This review assessed field flow fractionation (FFF) as an analytical method for detecting and characterizing nanoplastics in food, noting that conventional techniques lack the resolution to identify nano-sized plastic particles in complex food matrices. FFF was identified as a promising tool for generating the exposure data needed for nanoplastic risk assessment.

2022 Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry 14 citations
Systematic Review Tier 1

Micro(nano)plastics as a vector of pharmaceuticals in aquatic ecosystem: Historical review and future trends

This systematic review examines how microplastics and nanoplastics in water can absorb and carry pharmaceutical drugs, creating a combined pollution threat. When medications attach to tiny plastic particles in rivers and oceans, they may become more harmful to aquatic life and potentially to humans who consume contaminated seafood or water. The research traces how this emerging double-threat has grown since 2018 and identifies key knowledge gaps.

2022 Journal of Hazardous Materials Advances 32 citations
Article Tier 2

A promising method for fast identification of microplastic particles in environmental samples: A pilot study using fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy

Researchers piloted fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy as a fast method for identifying microplastic particles in environmental samples. The study suggests this technique could simplify microplastic analysis by potentially eliminating the need for extensive extraction steps, enabling more direct identification of plastic particles in complex matrices.

2024 Heliyon 12 citations