Characterization of microplastics in skim-milk powders
Visentin, Elena (University of Padova)
Manuelian, Carmen L (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Departament de Ciència Animal i dels Aliments)
Niero, Giovanni (University of Padova)
Benetti, Federico (European Center for the Sustainable Impact of Nanotechnology)
Perini, Alessandro (European Center for the Sustainable Impact of Nanotechnology)
Zanella, Michela (European Center for the Sustainable Impact of Nanotechnology)
Pozza, Marta (University of Padova)
De Marchi, M (European Center for the Sustainable Impact of Nanotechnology)

Date:	2024
Abstract:	The diffusion of microplastics in the food supply chain is prompting public concern as their impact on human health is still largely unknown. The aim of this study was to qualitatively and quantitatively characterize microplastics in skim-milk powder samples (n = 16) from different European countries (n = 8) through Fourier-transform infrared microspectroscopy in attenuated total reflectance mode analysis. The present study highlights that the use of hot alkaline digestion has enabled the efficacious identification of microplastics in skim-milk powders used for cheesemaking across European countries. The adopted protocol allowed detection of 29 different types of polymeric matrices for a total of 536 plastic particles. The most abundant microplastics were polypropylene, polyethylene, polystyrene, and polyethylene terephthalate. Microplastics were found in skim-milk powders in 3 different shapes (fiber, sphere, and irregular fragments) and 6 different colors (black, blue, brown, fuchsia, green, and gray). Results demonstrate the presence of microplastics in all skim-milk powder samples, suggesting a general contamination. Results of the present study will help to evaluate the impact of microplastics intake on human health.
Note:	Altres ajuts: Regione Veneto, Project "SustaIn4Food," POR FESR, azione 1.1.4
Rights:	Aquest document està subjecte a una llicència d'ús Creative Commons. Es permet la reproducció total o parcial, la distribució, la comunicació pública de l'obra i la creació d'obres derivades, fins i tot amb finalitats comercials, sempre i quan es reconegui l'autoria de l'obra original.
Language:	Anglès
Document:	Article ; recerca ; Versió publicada
Subject:	Fourier-transform infrared microspectroscopy ; Analysis ; Dairy ; Microplastics ; SDG 2 - Zero Hunger ; SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being
Published in:	Journal of dairy science, Vol. 107 Núm. 8 (2024) , p. 5393-5401, ISSN 1525-3198

DOI: 10.3168/jds.2023-24373

9 p, 3.7 MB

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