Use of Spectroscopic and Tomographic Techniques for the Detection of Microplastics in Human Tonsils

Use of Spectroscopic and Tomographic Techniques for the Detection of Microplastics in Human Tonsils

Abstrakt

Microplastics (MPs) can also be found in daily-life products and are a highly diverse category of contaminants existing in various sizes and forms. The MP pollution represents an emerging global change threat to the terrestrial ecosystem, including human health. MPs may induce physical, chemical, and microbiological toxicity with a potential negative effect on surrounding tissue. Particles may enter the human body through inhalation and ingestion; small particles (< 2.5 µm) can even penetrate cell. Therefore, it becomes essential to develop analytical methodology that will be capable to detect these MPs within selected human organs. However, the localization and characterization of MPs remain challenging as important information about the local distribution is inevitably lost while using specific methods. In this work we deliver optimized protocol for detection of various MPs by using complementary spectroscopic and tomographic methods. First, we have collected human tonsils and artificially administered MPs into the tissue. Then, X-Ray Computed Tomography (XCT) was used to localize the particles in the bulk of the tissue. Samples were then diluted in potassic acid and filtered. Finally, MPs were located on the filter paper and classified by Raman spectroscopy. Moreover, we demonstrate the feasibility of Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) for the detection and characterization of MPs as an alternative complementary tool in the analytical pipeline. The confidence in the proposed methodological approach and its feasibility for monitoring MPs in biotic samples is based on a current feasibility study that has already been conducted by using clinical samples.

Microplastics (MPs) can also be found in daily-life products and are a highly diverse category of contaminants existing in various sizes and forms. The MP pollution represents an emerging global change threat to the terrestrial ecosystem, including human health. MPs may induce physical, chemical, and microbiological toxicity with a potential negative effect on surrounding tissue. Particles may enter the human body through inhalation and ingestion; small particles (< 2.5 µm) can even penetrate cell. Therefore, it becomes essential to develop analytical methodology that will be capable to detect these MPs within selected human organs. However, the localization and characterization of MPs remain challenging as important information about the local distribution is inevitably lost while using specific methods. In this work we deliver optimized protocol for detection of various MPs by using complementary spectroscopic and tomographic methods. First, we have collected human tonsils and artificially administered MPs into the tissue. Then, X-Ray Computed Tomography (XCT) was used to localize the particles in the bulk of the tissue. Samples were then diluted in potassic acid and filtered. Finally, MPs were located on the filter paper and classified by Raman spectroscopy. Moreover, we demonstrate the feasibility of Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) for the detection and characterization of MPs as an alternative complementary tool in the analytical pipeline. The confidence in the proposed methodological approach and its feasibility for monitoring MPs in biotic samples is based on a current feasibility study that has already been conducted by using clinical samples.

PAROBKOVÁ, V.; KAVKOVÁ, M.; HOLUB, D.; KALČÍKOVÁ, G.; POŘÍZKA, P.; ZIKMUND, T.; URÍK, M.; KAISER, J.

03.10.2022

SciX 2022 Abstract book

342

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https://scixconference.org/resources/Documents/SciX%202022%20Abstract%20Book.pdf