Abstract
Abstract
Microplastic contamination in food is a
growing problem in the modern world. Clams, in particular, are consumed whole
and are particularly susceptible to contamination entering the body. In 120
clams, microplastic contamination was investigated. Clam tissues were digested
with 30% hydrogen peroxide and 10% potassium hydroxide. A total of 1,001
microplastic items were found. There was a statistically significant difference
between the weights of clam tissue and microplastic (χ2 = 36.945, df = 5, p = 0.000; χ2 = 35.842, df = 5, p =
0.000). The most prevalent microplastic shapes, at 38% and 36%, were identified
as fragment and film microplastics. The most common microplastic color was
white or transparent (29%), whereas the majority (44%) of the microplastics
were less than 100 µm. A Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FTIR) was
used to confirm 99 microplastics that were chosen at random and amounted to
approximately 10% of the total microplastics. PET (polyethylene terephthalate),
BEHP (bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate), PP (polypropylene), CA (cellulose acetate),
PVAc (polyvinyl acetate), PMMA (poly (methyl methacrylate), and EC (ethyl
cellulose) are examples of plastic materials. According to the study's
findings, the Paratapes undulatus sold in Thailand's fresh market was
heavily contaminated with microplastics. As a result, the findings of this
study can be utilized to inform future research on assessing exposure to
microplastics and the health risks associated with consuming contaminated bivalves
commonly consumed in Thailand.
Keywords:
Microplastics,
Paratapes undulatus, FTIR
, human health
