Combined approaches for detecting polypropylene microplastics in crop plants

• Published in: Journal of environmental management Vol. 347; p. 119258
• Main Authors: Çelen Erdem, İpek, Ünek, Ceren, Akkuş Süt, Pınar, Karabıyık Acar, Özge, Yurtsever, Meral, Şahin, Fikrettin
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.12.2023
• Subjects: Heating method; Microplastics; Nile red staining method; Polypropylene particles; Two-step chemical digestion; Two-step chemical digestion; Nile red staining method; Microplastics; Polypropylene particles; Heating method
• ISSN: 0301-4797; 1095-8630
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.119258

Microplastics (MPs) pollution in the terrestrial environment causes accumulation in crop plants. Consumption of these plants may have negative effects on human health. Therefore, it is crucial to analyze MPs accumulation in the plants. The aim of this study is to determine polypropylene (PP) particles in plants exposed to label-free PP for 75 days. In order to extract PP from organic matter, a two-step alkaline and wet peroxide oxidation chemical digestion method was applied to the roots, stems, and leaves of maize and wheat. The PP particles in the digested solutions were detected by the Nile red staining method, which has not been used previously in the detection of MPs in plants. Nile red stained PP particles mostly accumulated in the roots of wheat and the stems of maize plants. Statistical analysis revealed that the maize deposited more and larger PP particles regardless of the location. Moreover, the presence of PP particles in the digestion solutions was proved by the heating method. The PP particles on the glass slides were transformed into different shapes due to melting. [Display omitted] •A method was suggested for extracting PP particles and removing organic matter from wheat and maize plants.•The presence of PP particles in digested solutions was determined by Nile red staining and verified by heating methods.•Nile red stained PP particles mostly accumulated in the roots of wheat and the stem of maize plants.•Accumulation of PP particles in maize is significantly higher than that in wheat.