About this Research Topic

Background

Several analytical methods are available for food control and safety but given that food contamination at very low concentration levels is a growing concern, the need for improving and developing new strategies is clear.

Among emerging pollutants, microplastics are an alarming threat to public health. Microplastics (MPs) are defined as plastic particles in the range of 1 μm to 5 mm; the most common way of MPs incorporation into the human body is through food ingestion. In addition, plastic-related compounds (additives, impurities, and degradation products) are normally not linked to the polymer backbone and can be released from the plastic particles into the environment. Many of these plastic-associated compounds (phthalates, organochloride, bisphenols, phenolic compounds) are toxic substances with demonstrated carcinogenic effects. Consequently, plastic waste in the environment can transport dangerous chemicals into the food chain. Contamination of agricultural systems by MPs and their associated compounds has become an emerging issue in recent years. Depending on their type and size, MPs can penetrate multiple structures of plants. In the same way, plastic leachates can be absorbed by the roots and migrate to different parts of the plants, affecting their quality. Further investigation on the determination and distribution of MPs and their related toxic compounds in the food chain is needed.

On the other hand, plastic packages can be a harmful source of toxic migrants into food. Specifically, new plastic materials such as recycled polymers can be particularly threatening as they may have impurities coming from the recycling process, collecting system, and/or previous life. The potential impurities present in the recycled plastic material are due to degradation processes and are probably related to volatile organic compounds. Research is needed to evaluate the potential migration of these impurities to food to ensure its safety.

This Research Topic aims to gather novel findings about analytical techniques and methodologies to identify and monitor emerging pollutants and their degradation products along the food chain. Although different organic pollutants may be included in this Research Topic, the main focus is on MPs and their associated toxic compounds. Themes of interest include, but are not limited to:

• Identification and monitoring of emerging pollutants in food, with emphasis on MPs and associated compounds.
• Technological solutions to guarantee food safety along the whole production and distribution chain.
• Characterization of virgin and recycled plastic packages and their potential migrants to packed food.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Clinical Trial
• Conceptual Analysis
• Data Report
• Editorial
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• ... View all formats

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Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Clinical Trial
• Conceptual Analysis
• Data Report
• Editorial
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Policy and Practice Reviews
• Review
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: Microplastics, Emerging Pollutants, Plastic-Associated Compounds, Toxicity, Food Chain, Food Safety, Analytical Technologies, Packaging

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