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Dr. Marcus Brandstetter, Head of the Infrared and Raman spectroscopy research group at RECENDT (Research Center for Non-Destructive Testing) in Austria, presented groundbreaking research on nanoplastics and microplastics detection in human tissue samples. With over 15 years of experience in infrared spectroscopy, Dr. Brandstetter shared results from their work in the “Micro-1” collaborative project.
Microplastics have been discovered throughout the environment and human body, raising significant health concerns. Recent studies indicate they may cause inflammatory changes, act as vectors for contaminants, influence cellular signaling, and potentially alter drug absorption. The detection and identification of these particles in human tissue presents a significant analytical challenge due to their small size.
The research focused on developing methods to both localize and identify microplastic particles in routine clinical samples, specifically in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue sections. This approach maintains compatibility with standard clinical practices, allowing correlation between particle presence and potential pathological changes.
Dr. Brandstetter highlighted Optical Photothermal Infrared (O-PTIR) Spectroscopy as particularly valuable for this application. Unlike conventional infrared microscopy that is limited by diffraction to about 10 micrometers, O-PTIR can detect particles as small as 100-250 nanometers—well below the diffraction limit. The World Health Organization has noted that particles smaller than 10 micrometers are of particular interest due to their potential for cellular uptake.
The research methodology progressed through several stages: beginning with model systems using polystyrene beads of various sizes (10μm to 100nm), then advancing to 3D cell cultures (spheroids) spiked with particles, followed by mouse kidney samples, and finally examining actual human clinical samples from colitis patients.
Key findings included:
- O-PTIR successfully detected model polystyrene particles of all sizes, with spectra quality remaining consistent regardless of particle size
- The technique identified particles embedded within tissue, differentiating between surface contamination and incorporated particles
- In clinical colitis samples, researchers identified polyethylene (PE) particles, polystyrene particles, and a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) fiber
- The non-destructive nature of O-PTIR allowed subsequent histopathological analysis, enabling correlation between particle presence and tissue inflammation
The methodology’s advantages include minimal sample preparation, artifact-free spectra, compatibility with routine clinical workflows, and the ability to analyze historical FFPE samples from tissue banks. This last point is particularly valuable for retrospective studies comparing current microplastic presence with samples from decades ago.
Dr. Brandstetter concluded by noting the growing demand for techniques capable of detecting particles in the few-micron to sub-micron range, as these smaller particles likely pose the greatest health risks. The research provides a promising foundation for future studies investigating the health impacts of microplastics in the human body.
