1. Extraction and Analysis of Microplastic Beads from
Personal Care Products
Pinal S. Bhavsar and Anil H. Gore*
TarsadiaInstituteof ChemicalScience, Uka TarsadiaUniversity, Bardoli394350, Gujarat, India
DOI:10.2174/1573411019666221020094611; Publishedon:05 December 2022
3-Apr-23
Pinal S Bhavsar and Anil H Gore, Current
Analytical Chemistry, 2022
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2. Author
Dr. Anil H. Gore (M.Sc., Ph.D., Postdoc.)
Assistant Professor (Analytical Chemistry)
Tarsadia Institute of Chemical Science (TICS), UKA Tarsadia
University, Maliba Campus, Gopal Vidyanagar,
Bardoli-Mahuva Road, Tarsadi-394350, Surat, Gujrat, India
E-mail: anil.gore@utu.ac.in ; anilanachem@gmail.com ;
anilhgore@gmail.com
Cell: +91-9975818177; +91-9834619945
Miss. Pinalkumari Sanjaykumar Bhavsar (M.Sc., Ph.D.
Pursuing)
Tarsadia Institute of Chemical Science (TICS), UKA Tarsadia
University, Maliba Campus, Gopal Vidyanagar,
Bardoli-Mahuva Road, Tarsadi-394350, Surat, Gujrat, India
E-mail: pnubhavsar8434@gmail.com
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Pinal S Bhavsar and Anil H Gore, Current
Analytical Chemistry, 2022
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3. Abstract
Background: Nowadays plastic accumulating in marine has become one of the topics of global concern, with
emerging research effort focusing on the threat of microbeads (<5mm). A source of microplastic pollution is derived
from personal care product (facial cleanser) that contain polyethylene microplastic (microbeads) which are not
captured by waste water treatment plant. These small particles are especially concerning because of their potential to
translocate in the bodies of organisms.
Methods: Herein, we have used mixture of hydrogen peroxide with nitric acid is to dissolve the organic matter
before the filtration and filtration was carried out by using Whatman filter paper 42 to ascertain that all the
microbeads had been collected. Collected microbeads are identifying by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy
(FT-IR) and stereo microscope.
Results: In this study we observe that personal care products contain microplastic beads, three out of six personal
care products contain a polyethylene (PE) bead.
Conclusions: We are concluding that we provided a feasible separation method for microplastic beads in personal
care products.
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Pinal S Bhavsar and Anil H Gore, Current
Analytical Chemistry, 2022
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4. Introduction
What is microplastic (MPs)?
• Microplastics (MPs) are polymers having particle sizes less than
5mm.
• Nowadays they become one of the emerging contaminants in the
world.
• They can be classified as primary (e.g.: personal care products) and
secondary MPs (e.g.: consumer packaging, fishing net)
What is the source of MPs?
https://www.intechopen.com/chapters/57396 doi: 10.5772/intechopen.71494
In this
study, we
have
focused on
the
primary
MPs.
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Pinal S Bhavsar and Anil H Gore, Current
Analytical Chemistry, 2022
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6. Materials & Method
Sr.
No.
Sample type Brand Sample application
1 Face wash Joy Skin fruits oil removed
2 Face wash RayzilTM
All in 1 cleansing purifying glowing
acne control face wash
3 Face wash Clean & Clear
Morning energy face wash purifying
apple
4 Face scrub
Himalaya
Herbals
Purifying neem scrub
5 Face scrub
Everyuth
naturals
Exfoliating walnut scrub
6 Face scrub Royal Gold Scrub cream
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Pinal S Bhavsar and Anil H Gore, Current
Analytical Chemistry, 2022
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7. Photograph showing the images of facial cleanser samples collected for microplastic beads analysis.
Schematic representation of extraction method
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Pinal S Bhavsar and Anil H Gore, Current
Analytical Chemistry, 2022
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8. Identification by FT-IR
(a) FT-IR spectra of microplastic beads extracted in face wash (P1 and P3) and face scrub (P4).
(b) FT-IR spectra of microplastic beads extraction in face scrub (P5 and P6).
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Pinal S Bhavsar and Anil H Gore, Current
Analytical Chemistry, 2022
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9. Identification by stereo microscope
Photomicrographs of the microbeads present in facial cleanser products P1-P6.
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Pinal S Bhavsar and Anil H Gore, Current
Analytical Chemistry, 2022
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10. Conclusion
In our purpose approach we have developed simple, cost effective, sustainable and
fastest methodology for extraction and analysis of MBs from commercially available
personal care products. The presence of MBs in facial cleanser and their potential use by
millions of consumer world wide should effect the marine environment. In our study we
have detected that MBs are composed of PE and natural walnut shell and have different
shape and color. Their morphology was irregular and in some products they contained
chemical additives. Based on the information available in the study, it is recommended that
MBs be considered harmful to all living species.
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Pinal S Bhavsar and Anil H Gore, Current
Analytical Chemistry, 2022
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11. References
• Westphalen, H. , Abdelrasoul, A. . Challenges and Treatment of Microplastics in Water. In:
Glavan, M. , editor. Water Challenges of an Urbanizing World [Internet]. London:
IntechOpen; 2017. Available from: https://www.intechopen.com/chapters/57396
doi: 10.5772/intechopen.71494
• Gulmine, J. V.; Janissek, P. R.; Heise, H. M.; Akcelrud, L., Polyethylene characterization by
FTIR. Polymer Testing 2002, 21 (5), 557-563.
• Eriksen, M.; Lebreton, L. C. M.; Carson, H. S.; Thiel, M.; Moore, C. J.; Borerro, J. C.;
Galgani, F.; Ryan, P. G.; Reisser, J., Plastic Pollution in the World's Oceans: More than 5
Trillion Plastic Pieces Weighing over 250,000 Tons Afloat at Sea. PLOS ONE 2014, 9 (12),
e111913.
• Leslie HA, van Velzen MJM, Brandsma SH, Vethaak AD, Garcia-Vallejo JJ, Lamoree MH.
Discovery and quantification of plastic particle pollution in human blood. Environment
International. 2022;163:107199.
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Analytical Chemistry, 2022
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