Rapid detection of microplastics in feed using near-infrared spectroscopy

Authors

  • Giorgio Masoero Turin Academy of Agriculture, Palazzo Corbetta Bellini di Lessolo Via Andrea Doria 10, 10123, Turin
  • Salvatore Barbera Department of Agricultural, Forest, and Food Sciences, University of Turin, Largo Paolo Braccini 2, 10095, Grugliasco
  • Hatsumi Kaihara University of Turin
  • Sabah Mabrouki Department of Agricultural, Forest, and Food Sciences, University of Turin, Largo Paolo Braccini 2, 10095, Grugliasco
  • Sara Glorio Patrucco Department of Agricultural, Forest, and Food Sciences, University of Turin, Largo Paolo Braccini 2, 10095, Grugliasco
  • Khalil Abid Department of Agricultural, Forest, and Food Sciences, University of Turin, Largo Paolo Braccini 2, 10095, Grugliasco
  • Sonia Tassone Department of Agricultural, Forest, and Food Sciences, University of Turin, Largo Paolo Braccini 2, 10095, Grugliasco

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21014/actaimeko.v13i2.1663

Keywords:

feeds, low density polyethylene, microplastics, near-infrared spectroscopy, polystyrene, SCÏO

Abstract

The presence of microplastics in the forage and feedstuffs of domestic animals represents an imminent threat to the entire food chain that may reach humans since the particles could be transferred into the intestinal barriers and contaminate blood and animal products. Until now, there is no simple, rapid, sustainable, and reliable method to detect microplastics in animal feed. The objective of this study was to investigate the ability of near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) to detect microplastics in ruminant feeds. Two types of instruments were tested using four feeds (corn silage, mixed hay, rye grass silage, soybean meal) and a total mixed ration. Two types of crumbled contaminants, low-density polyethylene and polystyrene, were accurately mixed at ratios of 0, 1, 3, and 5 mg g-1. The pool of the five matrices examined by the benchmark instrument (714-3333 nm) yielded an accuracy of approximately 0.8 mg g-1 and a detection limit of about 1 mg g-1, however, the errors could be halved in separate calibrations. A short wavelength range (714-1070 nm) or a smart NIRS instrument proved an acceptable discrimination of the concentrations. Following these preliminary results, any validation on other samples with different and powerful NIRS tools is encouraged.

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Published

2024-05-16

Issue

Vol. 13 No. 2 (2024)

Section

Research Papers

License

Copyright (c) 2024 Giorgio Masoero, Salvatore Barbera, Hatsumi Kaihara, Sabah Mabrouki, Sara Glorio Patrucco, Khalil Abid, Sonia Tassone

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