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Method for label-free & non-destructive detection of microplastics in human formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue

Elisabeth S Gruber1, Verena Karl2, Kristina Duswald2,3

  • 1Department of General Surgery, Medical University Vienna, Vienna, Austria. elisabeth.s.gruber@meduniwien.ac.at.

Scientific Reports
|November 28, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Researchers developed a new method to detect microplastic (MP) particles in human colon tissue. This technique combines infrared spectroscopy and histology, revealing MPs and associated inflammation.

Area of Science:

  • Environmental Science
  • Toxicology
  • Pathology

Background:

  • Microplastic (MP) pollution is a growing environmental and public health concern.
  • Detecting MPs in human tissues is crucial for understanding their health impacts.
  • Existing methods may not be compatible with routine clinical pathology workflows.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To establish a clinically compatible method for detecting MP particles in deparaffinized formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) human colon tissue.
  • To integrate infrared spectroscopic analysis with histopathological evaluation for MP detection.
  • To investigate the presence and characteristics of MPs in human colon tissue samples.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized mid-infrared photothermal (MIP) microscopy, also known as optical photothermal infrared (OPTIR) spectroscopy, for non-destructive chemical characterization and spatial mapping of polymer particles.
  • Analyzed intact FFPE human colon tissue sections.
  • Performed hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining on identical sections post-OPTIR analysis for histopathological evaluation.

Main Results:

  • Successfully detected and localized polyethylene (PE), polystyrene (PS), and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) particles within FFPE human colon tissue sections.
  • Identified 21 PE particles, 1 PS particle, and 1 PET fiber.
  • Observed characteristic inflammatory features in proximity to the detected MP particles.

Conclusions:

  • This study presents the first diagnostic workflow combining infrared spectroscopy and histopathology for MP analysis in routine FFPE human tissues.
  • The developed method enables simultaneous identification of MPs and assessment of associated tissue responses.
  • This approach holds promise for elucidating the role of microplastic accumulation in human diseases and inflammatory processes in the colon.
Keywords:
ColonFFPEInflammationMicroplasticOptical photothermal infrared spectroscopy

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