Study of fibrous microplastic and natural microfiber levels in branded milk samples from Italy
As far as we know, there is no evidence regarding the microfiber (MF) occurrence and abundance in branded milk samples from Italy. Therefore, a total of 20 milk samples from 5 brands were collected and analyzed using a digestion step with hydrogen peroxide followed by filtration. Natural and synthe...
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PAGEPress Publications
2025-03-01
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| Series: | Italian Journal of Food Safety |
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| Online Access: | https://www.pagepressjournals.org/ijfs/article/view/13523 |
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| author | Serena Santonicola Michela Volgare Mariacristina Cocca Giampaolo Colavita |
| author_facet | Serena Santonicola Michela Volgare Mariacristina Cocca Giampaolo Colavita |
| author_sort | Serena Santonicola |
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As far as we know, there is no evidence regarding the microfiber (MF) occurrence and abundance in branded milk samples from Italy. Therefore, a total of 20 milk samples from 5 brands were collected and analyzed using a digestion step with hydrogen peroxide followed by filtration. Natural and synthetic MFs were classified according to the evaluation of surface morphology (i.e., shape and texture), followed by chemical identification using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) microspectroscopy. Results revealed the occurrence of MFs in 67.5% of the analyzed samples and showed variability ranging between 1-27 particles/100 mL with an overall average of 3.85 MFs/100 mL. The FTIR analyses confirmed the presence of polyethylene, polyester, acrylic, and cellulosic MFs. According to the literature, the contamination of milk may occur at various stages along the production chain. The blood-milk barrier would prevent MFs from being transferred across the mammary gland into the milk. The highest MF levels found in ultra-high temperature skimmed milk of some brands may indicate the more complex the processing of milk, the more MFs they contain. However, due to the different MF types and polymers, an unambiguous conclusion on MF sources cannot be made. MFs could be shed from the filters used in the milk processing factories and the protective clothing for workers. Therefore, the MF contamination should be properly investigated along the entire supply chain, identifying the sources of contamination and implementing control strategies and mitigation measures.
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| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-2fd045702a0d4085884b7a11130aab76 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2239-7132 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-03-01 |
| publisher | PAGEPress Publications |
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| series | Italian Journal of Food Safety |
| spelling | doaj-art-2fd045702a0d4085884b7a11130aab762025-08-20T03:42:05ZengPAGEPress PublicationsItalian Journal of Food Safety2239-71322025-03-0110.4081/ijfs.2025.13523Study of fibrous microplastic and natural microfiber levels in branded milk samples from ItalySerena Santonicola0Michela Volgare1Mariacristina Cocca2Giampaolo Colavita3Department of Medicine and Health Sciences “V. Tiberio”, University of Molise, Campobasso; Institute of Polymers, Composites and Biomaterials, National Research Council of Italy, Pozzuoli (NA)Department of Chemical Engineering, Materials, and Industrial Production, University of Naples Federico IIInstitute of Polymers, Composites and Biomaterials, National Research Council of Italy, Pozzuoli (NA)Department of Medicine and Health Sciences “V. Tiberio”, University of Molise, Campobasso As far as we know, there is no evidence regarding the microfiber (MF) occurrence and abundance in branded milk samples from Italy. Therefore, a total of 20 milk samples from 5 brands were collected and analyzed using a digestion step with hydrogen peroxide followed by filtration. Natural and synthetic MFs were classified according to the evaluation of surface morphology (i.e., shape and texture), followed by chemical identification using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) microspectroscopy. Results revealed the occurrence of MFs in 67.5% of the analyzed samples and showed variability ranging between 1-27 particles/100 mL with an overall average of 3.85 MFs/100 mL. The FTIR analyses confirmed the presence of polyethylene, polyester, acrylic, and cellulosic MFs. According to the literature, the contamination of milk may occur at various stages along the production chain. The blood-milk barrier would prevent MFs from being transferred across the mammary gland into the milk. The highest MF levels found in ultra-high temperature skimmed milk of some brands may indicate the more complex the processing of milk, the more MFs they contain. However, due to the different MF types and polymers, an unambiguous conclusion on MF sources cannot be made. MFs could be shed from the filters used in the milk processing factories and the protective clothing for workers. Therefore, the MF contamination should be properly investigated along the entire supply chain, identifying the sources of contamination and implementing control strategies and mitigation measures. https://www.pagepressjournals.org/ijfs/article/view/13523Microplasticsmicrofiberscommercial milkfood safety |
| spellingShingle | Serena Santonicola Michela Volgare Mariacristina Cocca Giampaolo Colavita Study of fibrous microplastic and natural microfiber levels in branded milk samples from Italy Italian Journal of Food Safety Microplastics microfibers commercial milk food safety |
| title | Study of fibrous microplastic and natural microfiber levels in branded milk samples from Italy |
| title_full | Study of fibrous microplastic and natural microfiber levels in branded milk samples from Italy |
| title_fullStr | Study of fibrous microplastic and natural microfiber levels in branded milk samples from Italy |
| title_full_unstemmed | Study of fibrous microplastic and natural microfiber levels in branded milk samples from Italy |
| title_short | Study of fibrous microplastic and natural microfiber levels in branded milk samples from Italy |
| title_sort | study of fibrous microplastic and natural microfiber levels in branded milk samples from italy |
| topic | Microplastics microfibers commercial milk food safety |
| url | https://www.pagepressjournals.org/ijfs/article/view/13523 |
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