Detection of microplastics by means of X-ray computed tomography

Result code in IS VaVaI

<a href="https://www.isvavai.cz/riv?ss=detail&h=RIV%2F00216305%3A26620%2F26%3A0200858" target="_blank" >RIV/00216305:26620/26:0200858 - isvavai.cz</a>

Result on the web

<a href="https://planterastics.fkkt.uni-lj.si/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/BOOK-OF-ABSTRACTS.pdf" target="_blank" >https://planterastics.fkkt.uni-lj.si/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/BOOK-OF-ABSTRACTS.pdf</a>

DOI - Digital Object Identifier

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Result language

angličtina

Original language name

Detection of microplastics by means of X-ray computed tomography

Original language description

Plastic pollution is a global concern with significant environmental implications. Recent research has shed light on the potential health risks associated with microplastics to human health. Microplastics enter the human body through inhalation and ingestion, accumulating in various tissues. Despite their potential health effects, our understanding of their impacts still needs to be improved. The primary challenge in understanding the correlation between microplastic presence and its effects on humans is achieving reliable detection. Spectroscopic techniques, notably Raman spectroscopy, have effectively detected microplastics in biological samples. However, it's important to note that sample preparation for these techniques involves the irreversible loss of local distribution through tissue digestion and filtration. Local distribution serves as a valuable indicator, as the accumulation of microplastics in specific organ regions can enhance our understanding of their effects on the body. Hence, to preserve information regarding local distribution, we propose the usage of micro computed tomography (microCT) in microplastic research. One major advantage of microCT is its ability to provide 3D imaging of morphology, revealing internal structures non-destructively. Our future objective is to visualize microplastic distribution within specific organs using microCT. However, the low contrast of microplastics and their small size pose challenges to their accurate identification. Therefore, here we assess the limitations of microplastic imaging using microCT through experiments conducted on polyethylene particles, the most prevalent type of microplastics in our environment. Our findings illustrate how various scanning parameters, particularly voxel size, influence the size limitation of analysed particles. Voxel size is closely linked to both the sample size under examination and, consequently, the limited size of detected particles within the organ. Additionally, our study presents a workflow for identifying polyethylene particles in biological samples, emphasizing the importance of selecting an appropriate sample size based on the desired size range of detected microplastics.

Czech name

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Czech description

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Type

O - Miscellaneous

CEP classification

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OECD FORD branch

10620 - Other biological topics

Project

<a href="/en/project/GF23-13617L" target="_blank" >GF23-13617L: Investigating the environmental fate of microplastics and their effects on model organisms through structural and chemical imaging</a><br>

Continuities

P - Projekt vyzkumu a vyvoje financovany z verejnych zdroju (s odkazem do CEP)

Publication year

2024

Confidentiality

S - Úplné a pravdivé údaje o projektu nepodléhají ochraně podle zvláštních právních předpisů