Validation of Microplastics Accumulation on Edible Fruits and Vegetables

Author: Kayalvizhi Rajendran, Ramya Rajendiran, Roshini Peter, Mukil Sukitha Pasupathi, Shahanaz Begum Nazir Ahamed, Parvatham Kalyanasundaram and Rajesh Kannan Velu

Download PDF

Abstract

Microplastics, which are omnipresent in the environment, particularly in agroecosystems, are the result of plastic particles that reach sizes between 5 mm and 1 m. This exacerbates the contamination caused by plastic. In this present study, frequent consumption of two variety fruits like Vitis vinifera and Musa paradisiacal as well as vegetables such as Solanum melongena and Solanum tuberosum from a local market in Trichy, Tamil Nadu, India, was collected and analysed for microplastics accumulation. Next, we extracted and determined the the size of the Microplastics (MPs), which ranged from 0.01 mm to 0.002 mm by using stereomicroscope and Scanning Electron Microscope. In FT-IR analysis was confirmed the different types of polymer functional groups like nylon, polypropylene, polystyrene and high-density polyethylene. Our research has highlighted the regularly consuming edible fruits and vegetables having MPs accumulation. In due course, the potential impacts of low range sized microplastics on food safety in edible fruits and vegetables and human health need to be urgently considered.

Keywords

Microplastics, Fruits, Vegetables, Agroecosystems, Public Health, Toxicology

Conclusion

The preliminary study was investigated the accumulation of MPs in edible fruits like grapes and banana and vegetables like potato and brinjal. This was identified and characterized through various analytical methods like Stereomicroscope, FTIR and SEM. Our findings demonstrates MPs particles 0.002mm upto 0.01mm have identified in edible fruits and vegetables that microplastics have been found in quantities that are frequently consumed by people, raising concerns that they may be transferred to humans through this ingestion. These findings imply the possibility of MPs gaining entry into the food chain and the potential health hazards. It is imperative that governmental organisations and health authorities move rapidly in order to enact and put into practise environmental regulations that will monitor the production, utilisation, and disposal of plastics.

References

-

How to cite this article

Kayalvizhi Rajendran, Ramya Rajendiran, Roshini Peter, Mukil Sukitha Pasupathi, Shahanaz Begum Nazir Ahamed, Parvatham Kalyanasundaram and Rajesh Kannan Velu (2023). Validation of Microplastics Accumulation on Edible Fruits and Vegetables. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 15(1): 348-355.