Papers

61,005 results
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Article Tier 2

Development of Optimal Digesting Conditions for Microplastic Analysis in Dried Seaweed Gracilaria fisheri

Researchers compared enzymatic, oxidative, and combined digestion methods for extracting microplastics from dried seaweed, optimizing conditions for reliable identification and quantification. The combined method produced the best plastic recovery with the least damage to particles. Validated extraction methods for edible seaweeds are important because seaweed is increasingly consumed as food and could be a pathway for microplastic ingestion.

2021 Foods 13 citations
Article Tier 2

Development of an analytical procedure to analyze microplastics in edible macroalgae using an enzymatic-oxidative digestion

Researchers developed a reliable enzymatic-oxidative digestion method to detect and quantify microplastics in edible macroalgae, addressing a gap in food safety monitoring by providing a standardized analytical procedure for assessing microplastic contamination in an increasingly popular food source.

2022 Marine Pollution Bulletin 25 citations
Article Tier 2

Biomonitoring of microplastics, anthropogenic microfibres and glass retroreflective beads by marine macroalgae

Researchers explored the potential of marine macroalgae as biomonitors for microplastics, anthropogenic microfibers, and glass retroreflective beads in coastal environments. The study suggests that seaweed species could offer a more standardized and reliable method for tracking microscopic debris compared to conventional water and sediment sampling approaches.

2024 Environmental Pollution 12 citations
Article Tier 2

Methodology optimization to quantify microplastic presence in planktonic copepods, chaetognaths and fish larvae

Researchers optimized a hydrogen peroxide digestion method for extracting and counting microplastics from zooplankton and fish larvae while preserving the physical and chemical integrity of the plastic particles, achieving over 85% recovery across 13 plastic types. Having a reliable, standardized method for quantifying microplastics in plankton is essential for accurately assessing how much plastic is entering marine food webs at the base of the food chain.

2023 MethodsX 6 citations
Article Tier 2

Isolation of microplastics in biota-rich seawater samples and marine organisms

Researchers developed and tested methods for extracting microplastics from seawater samples rich in biological material and from the tissues of marine organisms. They found that enzymatic digestion was the most effective and least destructive approach for isolating microplastics from biological samples, outperforming acid and alkaline treatments. The study provides improved laboratory protocols that will help scientists more accurately measure microplastic contamination in marine environments and wildlife.

2014 Scientific Reports 1035 citations
Article Tier 2

Efficacy of chemical digestion methods to reveal undamaged microplastics from planktonic samples

Researchers compared several chemical methods for removing biological material from marine water samples so that microplastics associated with plankton can be accurately identified. They found that alkaline and oxidative digestion methods were the most effective at breaking down plankton while causing minimal damage to the microplastic particles themselves. The study contributes to standardizing laboratory techniques so that microplastic measurements across different research groups are more comparable and reliable.

2024 The Science of The Total Environment 21 citations
Article Tier 2

Towards harmonised methods for microplastic analysis in food: development and optimisation for seafood products

Researchers evaluated and optimized methods for detecting and quantifying microplastics in the edible parts of seafood products, comparing enzymatic-alkaline digestion combined with filtration and oxidative treatment against other approaches for sensitivity, precision, and practical accessibility. The study aimed to contribute to method standardization, identifying the combined digestion protocol as most suitable for routine food control analysis.

2022 Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Article Tier 2

Facilitating microplastic quantification through the introduction of a cellulose dissolution step prior to oxidation: Proof-of-concept and demonstration using diverse samples from the Inner Oslofjord, Norway

This study developed a two-step digestion method that removes both standard organic matter and resistant cellulosic material from marine samples before microplastic analysis, improving accuracy of microplastic counts. Cellulose-based materials like chitin from crustaceans can resemble microplastics and cause false positives, so removing them prior to analysis is an important quality control step.

2020 Marine Environmental Research 40 citations
Article Tier 2

The Prevalence of Microplastics in Farmed Seaweed Kappaphycus Alvarezii in Panguil Bay, Philippines

Researchers investigated microplastic contamination in farmed seaweed from Panguil Bay, Philippines, and confirmed 1,298 microplastic particles across two farming sites. Fibers and filaments were the most common shapes, with rayon and polyester as the dominant polymer types, and washing seaweed before consumption reduced but did not eliminate microplastic content.

2025 IOP Conference Series Earth and Environmental Science 1 citations
Article Tier 2

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.

2016 Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry 317 citations
Article Tier 2

Comparative assessment of MP effects on pigment composition and lipid profiles in three marine microalgae

Researchers exposed three marine microalgae species to polyethylene and polypropylene microplastics and found that the particles altered pigment composition and lipid profiles in species-specific ways. Microplastic exposure generally reduced photosynthetic pigments and shifted fatty acid profiles, with effects varying depending on the polymer type and concentration ratio. The study suggests that microplastic pollution could disrupt the biochemistry of ecologically and commercially important microalgae at the base of marine food webs.

2026 Chemosphere
Article Tier 2

Microplastic evidence and removal from the seaweed bioremediator Chaetomorpha linum

Researchers evaluated microplastic presence and removal from the seaweed Chaetomorpha linum collected in the Mar Piccolo of Taranto and transplanted into an integrated multi-trophic aquaculture system, using density-based extraction and spectroscopic identification to characterize trapped particles. The study demonstrated that macroalgae bioremediators can accumulate microplastics from their growth environment, raising considerations for their use in aquaculture-based pollution mitigation.

2022 2022 IEEE International Workshop on Metrology for the Sea; Learning to Measure Sea Health Parameters (MetroSea) 3 citations
Review Tier 2

Microplastics – A major contaminant in marine macro algal population: Review

This review identified the occurrence and characteristics of microplastics in marine macroalgae, highlighting macroalgae as both indicators of MP pollution and potential entry points for microplastics into marine food webs.

2023 Marine Environmental Research 17 citations
Article Tier 2

Oil extraction following digestion to separate microplastics from mussels

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.

2021 Chemosphere 15 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics in seawater: a study of pretreatment, separation, and recovery.

Researchers developed and compared pretreatment, separation, and recovery methods for extracting microplastics from seawater samples, evaluating each step for efficiency and contamination risk. The optimized workflow improved particle recovery and reduced matrix interference, supporting more accurate seawater microplastic quantification.

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

Development of a digestion method for determining microplastic pollution in vegetal-rich clayey mangrove sediments

Researchers developed a three-stage hydrogen peroxide digestion method specifically designed for extracting microplastics from vegetal-rich clayey mangrove sediments, where classical digestion methods fail to adequately remove organic litter. The new method achieved high efficiency in removing vegetal matter while preserving the integrity of five polymer types as confirmed by FTIR analysis.

2019 The Science of The Total Environment 89 citations
Article Tier 2

Exploring Seaweed Cultivation in the Marine Environment and Its Interaction with Microplastic

This review examines interactions between seaweed cultivation in marine environments and microplastic pollution, exploring how seaweed can both accumulate microplastics and potentially be used in bioremediation strategies to reduce plastic contamination in coastal waters.

2025 BIOEDUSCIENCE
Article Tier 2

Impact of Nanoplastics on the Functional Profile of Microalgae Species Used as Food Supplements: Insights from Comparative In Vitro and Ex Vivo Digestion Studies

Researchers assessed how polystyrene and polyethylene nanoplastics affect microalgae species used as food supplements, both before and after simulated digestion. The study found that nanoplastics persisted through the digestion process, altered particle behavior in the microalgae medium, and significantly increased total phenolic content, raising concerns about food safety when plastic contamination occurs.

2024 Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry 2 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics contamination in seaweed: impacts on human health and mitigation approaches

This review found that microplastics contaminate many types of edible seaweed, with fibers and fragments being the most common forms. Since seaweed is consumed worldwide, these microplastics can enter the human body and potentially cause oxidative damage, cell toxicity, and neurotoxicity. More research is needed to fully understand the health risks of eating microplastic-contaminated seaweed.

2025 Discover Oceans 13 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics in seawater: a study of pretreatment, separation, and recovery.

Researchers developed and compared pretreatment, separation, and recovery methods for isolating microplastics from seawater samples, addressing the methodological diversity that limits comparability across marine monitoring studies. The study identified optimal combinations of techniques that improve microplastic recovery efficiency while minimizing contamination and sample loss.

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

Microplastics on plankton samples: Multiple digestion techniques assessment based on weight, size, and FTIR spectroscopy analyses

This study compared KOH, hydrogen peroxide, and two-step digestion protocols for removing organic matter from plankton samples before microplastic analysis, finding that two-step protocols improved recovery but that all methods caused measurable changes in microplastic weight and size, necessitating protocol standardization.

2021 Marine Pollution Bulletin 61 citations
Article Tier 2

Evaluating the effectiveness of H2O2 filter cleaning for microplastic analysis

Researchers evaluated the effectiveness of three concentrations of hydrogen peroxide for cleaning filters laden with organic tissue residue after microplastic extraction from biota, aiming to improve the accuracy of identifying and quantifying microplastics embedded within difficult-to-remove organic material.

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

Novel methodology to isolate microplastics from vegetal-rich samples

Researchers compared five organic digestion methods and a novel density separation approach for extracting microplastics from algae- and plant-rich samples, finding that density separation using 96% ethanol outperformed all digestion methods in efficiency, safety, and simplicity. The authors recommend the ethanol density separation protocol as a standard method for vegetal-rich environmental matrices.

2018 Marine Pollution Bulletin 121 citations
Article Tier 2

An optimized acidic digestion for the isolation of microplastics from biota-rich samples and cellulose acetate matrices

Researchers optimized an acidic oxidative digestion protocol for isolating microplastics from biologically rich samples while preserving cellulose acetate plastics that are often destroyed by alkaline digestion, expanding the range of polymer types recoverable from environmental and biological matrices.

2023 Environmental Pollution 15 citations