Assessment and characterization of microplastic contamination in milkfish (Chanos chanos) from marine aquaculture systems in the Philippines

Authors

  • Lynne Jerisa Castro Industrial Technology Development Institute, Department of Science and Technology
  • John Paul Arcilla  Industrial Technology Development Institute, Department of Science and Technology 
  • Jane Cathleen Gabunada  Industrial Technology Development Institute, Department of Science and Technology
  • Charisse Mendoza
  • Clarisse Jasmine Carlos
  • Alec Tobias Advanced Device and Materials Testing Laboratory, Surface Engineering Section, Materials Science Division, Industrial Technology Development Institute, Department of Science and Technology
  • Maria Regina Gean Aledia Industrial Technology Development Institute, Department of Science and Technology
  • Angelene Alcain Industrial Technology Development Institute, Department of Science and Technology
  • Dr. Araceli Monsada Industrial Technology Development Institute, Department of Science and Technology
  • Dr. Kim Christopher Aganda Industrial Technology Development Institute, Department of Science and Technology

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21014/actaimeko.v15i2.2301

Keywords:

microplastics, milkfish, FTIR, marine environment

Abstract

This paper investigated the microplastic contamination in milkfish harvested from nine mariculture sites in the Philippines. The digestion of microplastics in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) was carried out using potassium hydroxide (KOH). Optical microscopy (OM) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy were utilized to identify and classify the suspected microplastics in the milkfish samples. Results revealed that five types of polymers were identified, namely polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyamide (PA), polyethylene and cellulose-based polymers. Sampling site 2 obtained the highest average microplastic concentration of 14.77 + 0.0 particles/fish. This study offers a meaningful contribution to understanding microplastic contamination on tropical aquaculture species and highlights the urgency of implementing effective management strategies to address this escalating environmental concern.

Author Biographies

Lynne Jerisa Castro, Industrial Technology Development Institute, Department of Science and Technology

MS Chemistry

John Paul Arcilla,  Industrial Technology Development Institute, Department of Science and Technology 

BS Chemistry

Jane Cathleen Gabunada,  Industrial Technology Development Institute, Department of Science and Technology

Master's in Electrochemical Engineering

Charisse Mendoza

Advanced Device and Materials Testing Laboratory, Surface Engineering Section, Materials Science Division, Industrial Technology Development Institute, Department of Science and Technology

Clarisse Jasmine Carlos

Advanced Device and Materials Testing Laboratory, Surface Engineering Section, Materials Science Division, Industrial Technology Development Institute, Department of Science and Technology

Alec Tobias, Advanced Device and Materials Testing Laboratory, Surface Engineering Section, Materials Science Division, Industrial Technology Development Institute, Department of Science and Technology

BS Chemistry

Maria Regina Gean Aledia, Industrial Technology Development Institute, Department of Science and Technology

BS Chemistry

Angelene Alcain, Industrial Technology Development Institute, Department of Science and Technology

BS Chemical Engineering

Dr. Araceli Monsada, Industrial Technology Development Institute, Department of Science and Technology

Doctor of Engineering

Dr. Kim Christopher Aganda, Industrial Technology Development Institute, Department of Science and Technology

Ph.D. in Organic Synthesis

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Published

2026-06-25

Issue

Vol. 15 No. 2 (2026)

Section

Research Papers

License

Copyright (c) 2026 Lynne Jerisa Castro, John Paul Arcilla, Jane Cathleen Gabunada, Charisse Mendoza, Clarisse Jasmine Carlos, Alec Tobias, Maria Regina Gean Aledia, Angelene Alcain, Dr. Araceli Monsada, Dr. Kim Christopher Aganda

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