Raw Data for Microplastic Identification and Quantification in Nile Tilapia and Milkfish from Public Markets in Makati City

Description

Overview This dataset contains the primary raw monitoring data for the identification, characterization, and quantification of microplastics isolated from the gastrointestinal tract of Oreochromis niloticus L. (Nile Tilapia, n=20) and Chanos chanos L. (Milkfish, n=20). All 40 specimens were sourced from public markets in two selected public markets of Makati City, Philippines: Barangay Guadalupe and Barangay Poblacion. As a localized baseline study, this dataset establishes the initial food safety and environmental contamination benchmark for commercially sold fish within Makati City. Notably, analysis confirmed a zero count, complete absence of identifiable microplastic particles across all sampled groups during the collection period. Data Files and Structure The repository includes a standardized spreadsheet mapping out the sample collection and laboratory evaluation parameters across the following fields: • Sample Profile & Biometrics: Species designation (O. niloticus vs. C. chanos), specific sourcing market (Barangay Guadalupe or Barangay Poblacion), sample sizes (\(n=10\) per species per market), and corresponding individual biometric logs (total body weight and length). • Quantification Matrix: Total particle count logs and mean abundance calculations (particles per individual/tissue weight), uniformly reflecting Not Detected (ND) values across all 40 individual targets. • Characterization Parameters: Placeholders for morphological attributes (shape, color) and chemical composition, cross-verified as null/empty due to the absolute absence of recovered synthetic polymers. Methodology and Quality Control The gastrointestinal systems (specifically the esophagus and stomach) of the specimens were anatomically isolated. Organic tissue breakdown was achieved via Potassium Hydroxide (KOH) chemical digestion, followed by a secondary acid-hydroxide treatment and absolute filtration. Filter membranes underwent methanol washing and centrifugation to isolate potential residues. Final validation was performed via Attenuated Total Reflectance - Fourier-Transform Infrared (ATR-FTIR) Spectroscopy at the University of Makati facility to capture chemical fingerprints. Strict quality controls and clean-laboratory protocols were enforced to eliminate secondary ambient contamination. Potential Applications & Data Reuse This zero-count baseline dataset is highly valuable for: 1. Serving as an unpolluted baseline reference point for future urban environmental audits and longitudinal microplastic accumulation studies in Metro Manila public markets. 2. Supplying localized empirical control data for meta-analyses evaluating microplastic ingestion frequencies in aquaculture products across Southeast Asia. 3. Informing municipal food safety risk assessments and plastic-use mitigation policies managed by the Makati Local Government Unit (LGU) and local health departments.

Steps to reproduce

1. Sample Sourcing and Biometrics A total of 40 fish samples—20 Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus L.) and 20 Milkfish (Chanos chanos L.)—were purchased from public markets in Barangay Guadalupe (n=10 per species) and Barangay Poblacion (n=10 per species) in Makati City, Philippines. For each specimen, total body weight (g) and total length (cm) were recorded as biometric baseline indicators before anatomical processing. 2. Tissue Isolation and Chemical Digestion The gastrointestinal systems, specifically focusing on the gastrointestinal tracts, were anatomically excised using sterilized dissection tools. To isolate potential microplastic particles from the dense organic matrices, the target tissues were subjected to chemical digestion using a Potassium Hydroxide (KOH) solution. This alkaline digestion fluid breaks down proteinaceous and biological tissue without causing structural or chemical degradation to potential synthetic plastic polymers. 3. Secondary Treatment and Extraction Workflow Following the primary KOH digestion stage, an acid-hydroxide treatment was administered to clear any persistent organic matter or microcrystalline residues. The liquid mixture was then passed through secondary membrane filtration. To isolate and concentrate the remaining particulate extraction layer, the filter membranes were thoroughly washed with methanol and centrifuged, isolating the solid sediments for analytical classification. 4. Instrumental Identification via ATR-FTIR The prepared filter membranes and isolated particulate targets were subjected to Attenuated Total Reflectance - Fourier-Transform Infrared (ATR-FTIR) Spectroscopy to capture unique chemical fingerprints. Testing was conducted utilizing the ATR-FTIR spectroscopic facility at the University of Makati, Philippines. Resulting infrared spectra profiles were evaluated against standard polymer reference software libraries to assess chemical composition, abundance, morphology (shape), and color distributions (uniformly resulting in Not Detected [ND] metrics across all market cohorts). 5. Quality Control and Contamination Mitigation Strict clean-laboratory protocols were maintained to eliminate background airborne or procedural contamination. These measures included processing all samples inside enclosed clean zones, running procedural blank filters in parallel with tissue processing, thoroughly rinsing instruments with ultra-pure water between samples, and wearing mandatory non-plastic (natural fiber) laboratory garments throughout the workflow.

Institutions

• University of Makati

  National Capital Region, Makati City

Categories

Licence