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Updated: Jun 23, 2025
Sampling, Sorting, and Characterizing Microplastics in Aquatic Environments with High Suspended Sediment Loads and Large Floating Debris
Published on: July 28, 2018
Set up and validation of a method to analyse microplastics in stool and small intestine samples
Saul Santini1, Nora Exposito2, Jordi Sierra2,3
1Department of Chemistry "Ugo Schiff", University of Florence, Via della Lastruccia 3-13, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy.
Abstract:
The contamination of microplastics in humans is of increasing concern. Therefore, the aim of this study was to develop effective methods to determine the concentration and types of microplastics entering human digestive system. To study levels of MPs contamination in humans, an excellent indicator are stools. Indeed, stools, and thus the digestive system, can be an excellent indicator of the level of MPs contamination in humans. Hence, objective was to find effective methods to extract, quantify and characterize microplastics in stool and small intestine samples. The samples studied were human stools and pig jejunum (which has human-like characteristics). The methods were optimized by observing extraction efficiency, compatibility by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) characterization and non-deformation of the microplastics. The steps of the procedure were: • Sampling to avoid plastic contamination • Non-aggressive chemical and enzymatic digestion • Counting and characterization The methods were optimized and validated, observing recovery and repeatability. Therefore, two simple, effective methods with high analytical performance have been developed. The MPs present in the stool and intestine samples were counted by stereoscopic microscope and characterized by FTIR, finding several types of MPs such as synthetic cellulose, polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, and polyethylene terephthalate, among others.
Insights
Researchers developed effective methods to detect microplastics in human stool and pig intestines. These methods quantify and identify various microplastics, aiding in understanding human exposure to these contaminants.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Analytical Chemistry
- Human Health
Background:
- Microplastic contamination is a growing global concern.
- Understanding human exposure requires reliable detection methods for the digestive system.
- Stools and intestinal samples are key indicators of microplastic ingestion.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate effective methods for extracting, quantifying, and characterizing microplastics in human stool and pig jejunum samples.
- To ensure methods are non-destructive and compatible with Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis.
- To establish high analytical performance for microplastic detection.
Main Methods:
- Optimized sampling to prevent contamination.
- Employed non-aggressive chemical and enzymatic digestion techniques.
- Utilized stereoscopic microscopy for counting and FTIR for characterization.
Main Results:
- Developed two simple, effective methods with high recovery and repeatability.
- Identified various microplastics including synthetic cellulose, polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, and polyethylene terephthalate.
- Validated methods using human stool and pig jejunum samples.
Conclusions:
- The developed methods provide a reliable approach for analyzing microplastic contamination in the human digestive tract.
- These techniques are crucial for assessing human exposure to microplastics.
- Further research can utilize these validated methods to study the full extent of microplastic ingestion.
