Diversifying endpoints in biodegradation testing of microplastics
Abstract To counteract microplastic (MP) pollution the European Commission adopted a restriction of intentionally adding synthetic polymer microparticles to products, such as detergents, rinse-off cosmetics, controlled-release fertilizers or pesticides. Exempted are particles consisting of polymers...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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SpringerOpen
2025-04-01
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| Series: | Environmental Sciences Europe |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12302-025-01096-8 |
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| author | Eva-Maria Teggers Jonas Hardebusch Boris Meisterjahn Markus Simon Dieter Hennecke Roman Heumann Holger Egger Philipp Dalkmann Andreas Schäffer Annika Jahnke |
| author_facet | Eva-Maria Teggers Jonas Hardebusch Boris Meisterjahn Markus Simon Dieter Hennecke Roman Heumann Holger Egger Philipp Dalkmann Andreas Schäffer Annika Jahnke |
| author_sort | Eva-Maria Teggers |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract To counteract microplastic (MP) pollution the European Commission adopted a restriction of intentionally adding synthetic polymer microparticles to products, such as detergents, rinse-off cosmetics, controlled-release fertilizers or pesticides. Exempted are particles consisting of polymers that, e.g., meet the (bio)degradability pass criteria of the available test methods. The main criterion for proving biodegradability is the particle’s mineralization rate, as set out, amongst others, in OECD testing guidelines 301B referenced by the REACH regulation of the European Union. Since present test methods are designed and validated to test low-molecular, soluble compounds adaptations regarding MP biodegradability testing are of high interest. In this study, the biodegradability of a polyurea (PUA) microcapsule suspension was tested using a standard degradation test method (OECD test guideline (TG) 301B). Since the polymeric component comprised less than 1% of the suspension, besides the aromatic solvent inside the microcapsule (8.6%) and water (90.9%), 14C-labeling of the polymer was essential for specific detection throughout the experiments. Particle size determination of the tested PUA microcapsules indicated a bias in the test results due to the presence of a soluble 14C-compound, a byproduct of synthesis, identified using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography–high resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC–HRMS) coupled with radioactivity detection. This study highlights the need for proper characterization and purification of the tested particles prior to biodegradation testing and suggests how to diversify future regulatory testing for a comprehensive assessment of the biodegradation of MPs. Graphical abstract |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-75eea1a2e2c44d29975db0d3a9f54d8c |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2190-4715 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | SpringerOpen |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Environmental Sciences Europe |
| spelling | doaj-art-75eea1a2e2c44d29975db0d3a9f54d8c2025-08-20T02:19:57ZengSpringerOpenEnvironmental Sciences Europe2190-47152025-04-0137111110.1186/s12302-025-01096-8Diversifying endpoints in biodegradation testing of microplasticsEva-Maria Teggers0Jonas Hardebusch1Boris Meisterjahn2Markus Simon3Dieter Hennecke4Roman Heumann5Holger Egger6Philipp Dalkmann7Andreas Schäffer8Annika Jahnke9Fraunhofer-Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IMEFraunhofer-Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IMEFraunhofer-Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IMEFraunhofer-Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IMEFraunhofer-Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IMEINVITE GmbHBayer AG, Research & DevelopmentBayer AG, Research & DevelopmentInstitute for Environmental Research, RWTH Aachen UniversityInstitute for Environmental Research, RWTH Aachen UniversityAbstract To counteract microplastic (MP) pollution the European Commission adopted a restriction of intentionally adding synthetic polymer microparticles to products, such as detergents, rinse-off cosmetics, controlled-release fertilizers or pesticides. Exempted are particles consisting of polymers that, e.g., meet the (bio)degradability pass criteria of the available test methods. The main criterion for proving biodegradability is the particle’s mineralization rate, as set out, amongst others, in OECD testing guidelines 301B referenced by the REACH regulation of the European Union. Since present test methods are designed and validated to test low-molecular, soluble compounds adaptations regarding MP biodegradability testing are of high interest. In this study, the biodegradability of a polyurea (PUA) microcapsule suspension was tested using a standard degradation test method (OECD test guideline (TG) 301B). Since the polymeric component comprised less than 1% of the suspension, besides the aromatic solvent inside the microcapsule (8.6%) and water (90.9%), 14C-labeling of the polymer was essential for specific detection throughout the experiments. Particle size determination of the tested PUA microcapsules indicated a bias in the test results due to the presence of a soluble 14C-compound, a byproduct of synthesis, identified using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography–high resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC–HRMS) coupled with radioactivity detection. This study highlights the need for proper characterization and purification of the tested particles prior to biodegradation testing and suggests how to diversify future regulatory testing for a comprehensive assessment of the biodegradation of MPs. Graphical abstracthttps://doi.org/10.1186/s12302-025-01096-8Biodegradation testingSize fractionationRadiolabelingTransformation productsHRMSRegulatory assessment |
| spellingShingle | Eva-Maria Teggers Jonas Hardebusch Boris Meisterjahn Markus Simon Dieter Hennecke Roman Heumann Holger Egger Philipp Dalkmann Andreas Schäffer Annika Jahnke Diversifying endpoints in biodegradation testing of microplastics Environmental Sciences Europe Biodegradation testing Size fractionation Radiolabeling Transformation products HRMS Regulatory assessment |
| title | Diversifying endpoints in biodegradation testing of microplastics |
| title_full | Diversifying endpoints in biodegradation testing of microplastics |
| title_fullStr | Diversifying endpoints in biodegradation testing of microplastics |
| title_full_unstemmed | Diversifying endpoints in biodegradation testing of microplastics |
| title_short | Diversifying endpoints in biodegradation testing of microplastics |
| title_sort | diversifying endpoints in biodegradation testing of microplastics |
| topic | Biodegradation testing Size fractionation Radiolabeling Transformation products HRMS Regulatory assessment |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12302-025-01096-8 |
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