MICROPLASTICS IN THE SHORTFIN SCAD <i>DECAPTERUS MACROSOMA</i> FROM THREE SELECTED WET MARKETS, SABAH

Muhammad Nor Afdall Nazahuddin; Nurzafirah Mazlan; Muhammad Dawood Shah; Sarah Syazwani Shukhairi; Nur Nashrah Abd Rahman; Abentin Estim; Siti Marwanis Anua

Muhammad Nor Afdall Nazahuddin Higher Institution Centres of Excellence (HICoE), Borneo Marine Research Institute, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Jalan UMS, 88400, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia
Nurzafirah Mazlan Higher Institution Centres of Excellence (HICoE), Borneo Marine Research Institute, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Jalan UMS, 88400, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia
Muhammad Dawood Shah Higher Institution Centres of Excellence (HICoE), Borneo Marine Research Institute, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Jalan UMS, 88400, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia
Sarah Syazwani Shukhairi Higher Institution Centres of Excellence (HICoE), Borneo Marine Research Institute, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Jalan UMS, 88400, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia
Nur Nashrah Abd Rahman Higher Institution Centres of Excellence (HICoE), Borneo Marine Research Institute, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Jalan UMS, 88400, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia
Abentin Estim Higher Institution Centres of Excellence (HICoE), Borneo Marine Research Institute, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Jalan UMS, 88400, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia
Siti Marwanis Anua School of Health Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia

Keywords: Decapterus macrosoma, seafood safety, marine finfish, microplastics

Abstract

Microplastics (MPs) have become a major concern as a source of environmental pollutants in marine ecosystems. Fish such as shortfin scad are consumed daily, particularly in Sabah and an important protein source. It is also being used as feed for marine finfish such as grouper. This study aimed to characterize the types of MPs isolated from Decapterus macrosoma from three selected wet markets at Sabah. A total of 21 specimens of fish were collected from three selected wet markets, respectively, around Kota Kinabalu. The fish were dissected, and their gastrointestinal tract (GIT) and flesh were separated for digestion. The exudates were filtered several times using filter paper. MPs isolated were characterized using microscopes and the polymers were identified using Fourier Transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The MPs were measured using ImageJ software. The total MPs collected from both organs was 1541. Pasar Ikan Tuaran specimens recorded the most MPs in flesh (n=263) and GIT (n=422). The most abundant shape was fiber (n=1406, p<0.05) and the most significant color was black (n=866, p<0.05). The polymers that were detected from both GIT and flesh were polyamide (n=39), followed by polycarbonate (n=21) and poly(methyl methacrylate) (n=11). In conclusion, the MPs were found in the flesh and GIT of D. macrosoma with the majority from polycarbonate and PMMA. These results show concern about seafood safety in Malaysia with regard to Sabah.