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Bioplastics derived from microbial processes present a sustainable alternative to conventional petroleum-based plastics. Among these, polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), particularly polyhydroxybutyrates (PHBs), have emerged as prominent candidates due to their biodegradability and biocompatibility. These polymers are synthesized by a variety of bacteria, such as Cupriavidus necator and Pseudomonas putida, which naturally accumulate PHAs as intracellular carbon and energy reserves, especially under...
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Updated: Jun 12, 2026

Sampling, Identification and Characterization of Microplastics Release from Polypropylene Baby Feeding Bottle during Daily Use
05:48

Sampling, Identification and Characterization of Microplastics Release from Polypropylene Baby Feeding Bottle during Daily Use

Published on: July 24, 2021

Invisible plastic release from overlooked usage practices in microwaved food packaging.

Pei-Ying Lin1, Shu-Ling Hsieh2, I-Hsuan Wu3

  • 1Department of Chemistry, National Sun Yat-sen University, 70 Lien-Hai Rd., Kaohsiung 80424, Taiwan; Department of Seafood Science, National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, Kaohsiung 81157, Taiwan.

Food Chemistry
|June 10, 2026
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Microwaving plastic food packaging releases invisible polyethylene (PE) residues. These plastic particles, including nanoplastics, contaminate food and harm liver cells, raising food safety concerns.

Keywords:
Convenience foodDynamic light scatteringNanoplasticsPlastic contaminationPolyethylenePolymer degradationSurface-enhanced Raman scattering

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Area of Science:

  • Food Science
  • Environmental Science
  • Toxicology

Background:

  • Plastic food packaging is widely used for convenience.
  • Microwaving food in plastic containers can lead to chemical leaching.
  • The release of plastic residues during microwaving is often overlooked.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the release of polyethylene (PE) residues from microwaveable food packaging.
  • To characterize the size and quantity of released plastic particles.
  • To assess the impact of these residues on cellular health.

Main Methods:

  • Microwave heating of various food packaging (onigiri wrappers, porridge/milk cartons).
  • Nile Red fluorescence staining and dynamic light scattering for micro/nanoplastic analysis.
  • Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) for quantifying PE residues.
  • Cell viability and oxidative stress assays using Clone 9 rat liver cells.

Main Results:

  • PE release significantly increased with heating duration.
  • Microplastic size decreased, and nanoplastics (40-240 nm) were detected within minutes.
  • High concentrations of PE residues (up to 1443.78 μg/mL) were found.
  • Exposure to PE residues reduced liver cell viability and increased oxidative stress.

Conclusions:

  • Routine microwaving of plastic packaging releases significant amounts of micro- and nanoplastics.
  • These plastic contaminants pose a risk to food safety and cellular health.
  • Current usage patterns of plastic food packaging may lead to underestimated plastic contamination.