PP023 - MICROPLASTIC CONTAMINATION IN COMMERCIAL MIXED FRUIT PUREES

PP023

MICROPLASTIC CONTAMINATION IN COMMERCIAL MIXED FRUIT PUREES

A. Beşparmak^1,*, N. Kaya¹, H. Mıhçıokur², O. Özkan²

¹Nuh Naci Yazgan University, ²Erciyes University, Kayseri, Türkiye

Rationale: The common use of plastic materials in food production, processing, and packaging is increasing exposure to microplastics through food. Ready-to-eat fruit purees, which may pose a higher risk of microplastic contamination due to the multi-step nature of their production and packaging processes. Therefore, this study investigated the presence, concentration, and polymer composition of microplastics in commercial mixed fruit purees.

Methods: In this study, products from two different global brands of commercial mixed fruit purees (pears, apples, and bananas) were analyzed. The samples were obtained from vacuum-sealed pouches. About 3 g was taken from each sample and dried at 70 °C. Approximately 9 mg was taken from the dried samples and analyzed using a pyrolysis gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS) instrument, which requires no preliminary processing.

Results: Analysis revealed the presence of microplastics in both commercial mixed fruit purees examined. In the sample from Brand A, microplastics of the PE, PVC, and N6 types were identified. In the sample from Brand B, microplastics of the PE, PVC, PP, and N6 types were detected. The PE content was 36.9 µg, the PVC content 16.7 µg, and the N6 content 1.62 µg in Brand A. In Brand B, the PVC content was 15.8 µg, the PE content was 4.63 µg, the N6 content was 1.60 µg, and the PP content was 0.180 µg. Given that infants and children consume approximately one package (100 g) of these products per day, it has been calculated that their microplastic intake could reach approximately 613 µg and 244 µg, respectively.

Conclusion: This study demonstrates the presence of microplastics in commercially mixed fruit purees. It is believed that microplastic intake from these products could reach a significant level, particularly among infants and children. The findings indicate that processed and packaged foods may contribute to microplastic exposure.

Disclosure of Interest: None declared