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Updated: Jun 12, 2026
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
Summary
Microwaving plastic food packaging releases invisible polyethylene (PE) residues. These plastic particles, including nanoplastics, contaminate food and harm liver cells, raising food safety concerns.
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.
Keywords:
Convenience foodDynamic light scatteringNanoplasticsPlastic contaminationPolyethylenePolymer degradationSurface-enhanced Raman scatteringMore Related Videos
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