Micro and nano plastics in fruits and vegetables: A review
Nina-Nicoleta Lazăr,
Mădălina Călmuc,
Ștefania-Adelina Milea,
Puiu-Lucian Georgescu,
Cătălina Iticescu
Affiliations
Nina-Nicoleta Lazăr
“Dunărea de Jos” University of Galati, REXDAN Research Infrastructure, 98 George Coșbuc Street, 800385, Galati, Romania; Corresponding author.
Mădălina Călmuc
“Dunărea de Jos” University of Galati, REXDAN Research Infrastructure, 98 George Coșbuc Street, 800385, Galati, Romania
Ștefania-Adelina Milea
“Dunărea de Jos” University of Galati, REXDAN Research Infrastructure, 98 George Coșbuc Street, 800385, Galati, Romania
Puiu-Lucian Georgescu
“Dunărea de Jos” University of Galati, REXDAN Research Infrastructure, 98 George Coșbuc Street, 800385, Galati, Romania; “Dunarea de Jos” University of Galati, Faculty of Sciences and Environment, 111 Domnească Street, 800008, Galati, Romania
Cătălina Iticescu
“Dunărea de Jos” University of Galati, REXDAN Research Infrastructure, 98 George Coșbuc Street, 800385, Galati, Romania; “Dunarea de Jos” University of Galati, Faculty of Sciences and Environment, 111 Domnească Street, 800008, Galati, Romania
Plastics are becoming common environmental pollutants. Plants behave as access routes for plastics in the trophic chain since they can adsorb particles through their roots or on their surfaces. In this review, various methods for sample preparation and analytical methods for plastic isolation and identification from vegetables, fruits, and their seedlings were discussed. The effects that plastic particles have on them were also addressed. All of the studies offer convincing proof that micro and nano plastics already exist in fruits and vegetables, or can easily enter into their seedlings and have a variety of effects. Since most studies have been conducted under strictly controlled conditions using standard plastics, more tests under more environmentally realistic conditions are required to ensure that literature studies are applicable. Also, more fruits and vegetables need to be tested to identify the number of plastics currently there that, when consumed, could harm human health.
