TRAMIS

Translocation of Microplastic in Fish Filet

The amount of plastic waste in the oceans, and resulting microplastic (MP), has been rising steadily for years. Uptake of MP particles has already been detected In a large number of marine organisms. In particular, marine diets can be a problem because humans may also absorb MP. While mussels have already been shown to translocate particles into the muscle tissue or filet, this is far from clear in much more commercially important fish.

Therefore, the overall goal of this project is to develop a suitable method for the detection of MP in the tissue of food fish and to investigate the translocation of MP from feed to the tissue of fish. If successful, it will ensure that MP in fish products can become routinely detectable or excludable.

A test feed with a defined amount of fluorescent MP particles is used to feed a classic commercial fish (sea bass) under controlled conditions in a recirculation system. Different extraction methods (enzymatic and alkaline) must be precisely evaluated to allow commercial products and experimental fish (intestine, blood, muscle tissue) to be examined for MP particles. The developed extraction method will be adapted for routine use in food monitoring.

Project Lead: Sinem Zeytin | Matt Slater | Gunnar Gerdts

Partners: IBEN GmbH

Supported by Funding from the State of Bremen