Microplastic contamination and associated health risks in edible sunflower and olive oils: The first evidence from Turkey
Food Control, cilt.192, 2027 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Cilt numarası: 192
- Basım Tarihi: 2027
- Doi Numarası: 10.1016/j.foodcont.2026.112562
- Dergi Adı: Food Control
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, BIOSIS, Index Islamicus, Academic Search Ultimate (EBSCO), Engineering Source (EBSCO)
- Anahtar Kelimeler: Dietary exposure, Edible oils, Food packaging, Microplastics, Raman spectroscopy
- Çukurova Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
This study examines the presence and characteristics of microplastics (MPs) in commercially sold sunflower and olive oils in Turkey. Twenty-eight oil samples (18 sunflowers, 10 olives) packaged in plastic, tin, and glass were analyzed using micro-Raman spectroscopy. MPs were detected in all samples at concentrations ranging from 400 to 2800 particles per liter, with a median concentration of 1400 MPs/L (IQR: 800–1800 MPs/L) and a mean concentration of 1357 ± 663 MPs/L. Fragmented particles predominated, and the most frequently identified polymers were polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), and polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Black and transparent particles were the most prevalent. Estimated daily intake (EDI) values, calculated as approximate population-level exposure estimates, ranged from 0.03 to 1.32 particles/kg body weight/day, corresponding to a maximum annual intake of 33,624 particles per person. The polymer risk index (pRi) indicated low to moderate risk levels in most samples. These findings highlight concerns over chronic dietary MPs exposure via edible oils and underscore the need for stricter regulations on food-contact packaging materials and standardized detection methods.