Development of an Inexpensive and Comparable Microplastic Detection Method Using Fluorescent Staining with Novel Nile Red Derivatives

Sturm, M.; Myers, Erika; Schober, Dennis; Korzin, Anika; Schuhen, Katrin

doi:10.3390/analytica4010004

Cited by 17 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 59 publications

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“…As Nile Red is a lipophilic dye, it may stain natural lipids that remain post-digestion. In addition, certain pigments, particle weathering and certain polymer types can quench the Nile Red fluorescence [24].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

EnderScope: a low-cost 3D printer-based scanning microscope for microplastic detection

Burke,

Müller,

Saggiomo

et al. 2024

Phil. Trans. R. Soc. A.

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Low-cost and scalable technologies that allow people to measure microplastics in their local environment could facilitate a greater understanding of the global problem of marine microplastic pollution. A typical way to measure marine microplastic pollution involves imaging filtered seawater samples stained with a fluorescent dye to aid in the detection of microplastics. Although traditional fluorescence microscopy allows these particles to be manually counted and detected, this is a resource- and labour-intensive task. Here, we describe a novel, low-cost microscope for automated scanning and detection of microplastics in filtered seawater samples—the EnderScope. This microscope is based on the mechanics of a low-cost 3D printer (Creality Ender 3). The hotend of the printer is replaced with an optics module, allowing for the reliable and calibrated motion system of the 3D printer to be used for automated scanning over a large area (>20 × 20 cm). The EnderScope is capable of both reflected light and fluorescence imaging. In both configurations, we aimed to make the design as simple and cost-effective as possible, for example, by using low-cost LEDs for illumination and lighting gels as emission filters. We believe this tool is a cost-effective solution for microplastic measurement. This article is part of the Theo Murphy meeting issue 'Open, reproducible hardware for microscopy'.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

EnderScope: a low-cost 3D printer-based scanning microscope for microplastic detection

Burke,

Müller,

Saggiomo

et al. 2024

Phil. Trans. R. Soc. A.

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“…Sturm et al employed this procedure measuring the MPs in the effluent of a German wastewater treatment plant over a period of one year and achieved exceptional accuracy and comparability. This process is particularly well-suited for investigating temporal variations of MP contamination, which requires massive processing and detection [37]. However, fluorescence staining does have certain limitations.…”

Section: Item Description Size Micro (1 µM-5 Mm) Colormentioning

confidence: 99%

High-resolution characterization technology for micro-/nano-plastics

Cao,

Sun,

Zhang

et al. 2024

J. Phys. D: Appl. Phys.

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Microplastics (MPs) are plastic residues with a size <5 mm, which are often further broken into micro/nano size particles in the environment. Owing to their minute scale, widespread distribution, and substantial toxicity potential, microplastics has emerged as a critical environmental concern. Therefore, accurate characterization of these particles becomes a formidable yet imperative challenge in environmental science. In this review, a comprehensive overview on current microplastic characterization techniques, including microscopy/electron microscopy, spectroscopy, and mass spectrometry, have been summarized and discussed. We assess their applicability, strengths, limitations, as well as recent advancements. We also highlight the features offered by different techniques and the particles size range for which each technique is suitable. Furthermore, the combination of different characterization techniques and some novel techniques that can be used in microplastic characterization are also mentioned. This work offers a reference for microplastic characterization, which will facilitate the detection of microplastic in the environment.

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“…Several uorescent dyes such as Nile red, rhodamine B, safranin T, and uorescein iso-phosphate can label plastic polymers and hence are used in detecting MPs. Among these uorescent dyes, Nile red, a lipophilic dye (9-diethylamino-5H-benzo[α] phenoxazine5-one) outperforms others because of its high uorescence intensity, good a nity towards polymer, and shorter incubation time (Sturm et al 2023;Meyers et al 2022). Nile red staining not only helps in qualitative detection but also helps in enumerating the number of MP ber/particles (Shim et al 2016).…”

Section: )mentioning

confidence: 99%

Detection and Characterization of Microplastics in Commercial Salts in India

Vittal,

Xavier,

Mohan

et al. 2024

Preprint

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Plastic waste accumulation is an ever-growing menace affecting both aquatic and terrestrial environments. One of the primary concerns associated with plastic pollution is the accumulation of microplastics (MPs) in the ecosystem, particularly in the marine ecosystem. Microplastics pollution in marine environment is a matter of grave concern because marine resources are one of the primarily contributors to human food supply. In addition, the marine environment possesses a plethora of bioactive compounds that are used in a wide variety of products, intended for human use. One of the easiest routes of MPs ingestion from marine environment is through salt, an indispensable ingredient in cooking. This study aimed at analysing commercial brands of sea salt and rock salt for the presence of MPs by Nile red fluorescent staining (NR) and characterizing the plastic polymers by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). A total of thirty different brands of salts available in India were collected and analysed. The results indicate that presence of MPs is highly prevalent in sea salts with variable number, particles size and polymer types. In sea salt samples, the number of MPs ranged between 13- 27 particles/100g whereas in rock salt, it ranged between 8- 29 particles/100g. Both plastic microfibers and MPs were detected in the categories of samples analysed, ranging between 2- 14 particles/100 g for microfibers and 2- 27 particles/100g for microparticles. The size of MPs ranged between 19.45μm - 512.91μm in sea salts and between 29.69μm– 1432.85μm in rock salt. FTIR Spectroscopy identified polyethylene terephthalate as the most prevalent polymer (37%) in the salt samples, followed by polyvinyl chloride (25.9%) polypropylene (22.2%), polyethylene (11%), and polystyrene (3.7%). This study highlights yet another source of MPs ingestion by humans. Given the fact that salt is a preservative, a taste enhancer, and a source of an essential micronutrient, there is an imminent need for potential mitigation techniques to ensure MP-free salts for human consumption.

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Development of an Inexpensive and Comparable Microplastic Detection Method Using Fluorescent Staining with Novel Nile Red Derivatives

Cited by 17 publications

References 59 publications

EnderScope: a low-cost 3D printer-based scanning microscope for microplastic detection

EnderScope: a low-cost 3D printer-based scanning microscope for microplastic detection

High-resolution characterization technology for micro-/nano-plastics

Detection and Characterization of Microplastics in Commercial Salts in India

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