Open AccessAdditional Commentary on the Detection and Quantification of Plastic Micro- and Nanoparticles in Tea Samples
Author(s) -
Jessica Caldwell,
Patricia TaladrizBlanco,
Barbara RothenRutishauser,
Alke PetriFink
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
chimia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.387
H-Index - 55
eISSN - 2673-2424
pISSN - 0009-4293
DOI - 10.2533/chimia.2021.882
Subject(s) - sample (material) , nanotechnology , sample preparation , process engineering , biochemical engineering , materials science , computer science , environmental science , chromatography , chemistry , engineering
The study of plastic particles, particularly those in the micro-, sub-micro-, and nano- size ranges, within food and beverages has gained increasing interest within recent years. However, many analytical techniques utilized have limits of detection which hinder their use for the study of these particles in these sample matrices. In addition, remaining contaminants from the matrices can interfere with the signals from plastic particles. Thus, great care must be given to sample preparation and data interpretation to ensure accurate results are obtained. This study proposes the use of sample purification through chemical digestion protocols to facilitate the study of plastic particles present in tea samples, and serves to highlight technical limitations which must be overcome in future studies.