Microplastics found in packaged spirulina products
What it found
Microplastics turned up in most packaged spirulina samples bought from different brands and origins.
The work was done on the products themselves, not in people.
What they found
Microplastics present
Out of 29 packaged spirulina brands, 26 showed potential microplastics on visual inspection. A total of 251 microplastic-like particles were observed, and 35 particles were confirmed as microplastics.
Amount per 100 g
The average amount of microplastics was estimated at 13.77 plus or minus 2.45 particles per 100 g dry weight.
Powder vs capsules
Powdered spirulina had a higher average amount of microplastics (17.34 plus or minus 4.22 particles per 100 g dry weight) than capsule or tablet forms (10.43 plus or minus 2.45 particles per 100 g dry weight). The difference was not statistically significant.
Shapes and sizes
Fragments made up 38.3% and fibers made up 61.7% of the identified microplastics. Fragments ranged from 0.07 to 2.15 mm and fibers from 0.19 to 5.691 mm.
Colors and polymers
Most microplastics were blue (52.8%), followed by black (25.4%), white (10.9%) and others (10.9%). Ten synthetic polymers and cellulose were identified, with polypropylene (31.6%) and polystyrene (8.3%) the most common.
Packaging and processing
The amount and make-up of microplastics were influenced by packaging and processing stages. C-Phycocyanin levels and microplastic concentrations were not significantly correlated.
What the authors conclude
“Identifying potential sources of MPs in spirulina products and evaluating their risks to human health is crucial.”
Also in their conclusions
- They say that identifying potential sources of microplastics in spirulina products and evaluating their risks to human health is crucial.
How it was done
Microplastic contamination in commercially sold spirulina products had not been investigated before.
They bought 29 spirulina samples in various packaging types from different brands and origins. They checked them for microplastics using microscopic and μ-Raman techniques, and also measured C-Phycocyanin levels.
What it can’t tell you
- We summarised it from the abstract only.
- This study looked at the products themselves, not at what happens when people eat them.
- It cannot show whether these microplastics cause any health effects in people.
Who paid
- Funding
- Funded by Çukurova Üniversitesi (from the PubMed record).
- Authors work at
- Cukurova University, Türkiye
The paper
- Title
- Microplastic contamination of packaged spirulina products
- Type
- Study
- Summarised from
- Abstract only
- Cite
- Tutaroğlu S, Uslu L, Gündoğdu S (2024). Microplastic contamination of packaged spirulina products. Environmental science and pollution research international. doi:10.1007/s11356-023-31130-2PubMed 38036911DOI
Summary written 26 Sep 2026. Check it against the paper before it changes what you eat. How we summarise papers · Report an error