Microplastics in raw milk samples from the Marmara region in Turkey

Microplastics are small polymeric particles formed after the degradation and environmental erosion of plastic waste. They pose a significant threat to the environment, animal, and human health. For humans, food is an important route for the transmission of microplastics. In this study, the presence of microplastics in raw milk is investigated. Samples from various milk-producing animals were collected in Turkey’s Marmara Region, a prominent industrial and agricultural area (n:588). Rigorous quality control measures were applied to prevent contamination during sampling and analysis. Microplastics were identified, classified, and measured through microscopic analysis, and their surface morphology and chemical composition were assessed using advanced techniques such as Scanning Electron Microscope Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) and Attenuated Total Reflection-Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR). Results reveal that microplastics were present in 89% of the milk samples. They exhibited diverse colours, shapes, and sizes, with fibrous particles (52%) being the most common. ATR-FTIR analysis identified 7 types of microplastics, with ethylene propylene being the most prevalent (77%). This study highlights the potential risk of microplastic contamination in raw milk.

Graphical abstract