Detection and characterization of microplastics and nanoplastics in biological samples

Jian Zhao; Ruyi Lan; Hongmei Tan; Jianjun Wang; Yuanshuo Ma; Qiqing Chen; Fei Jiang; Zhenyu Wang; Baoshan Xing

doi:10.1038/s44222-025-00335-0

Detection and characterization of microplastics and nanoplastics in biological samples

Jian Zhao
, Ruyi Lan
, Hongmei Tan
, Jianjun Wang
, Yuanshuo Ma
, Qiqing Chen
, Fei Jiang
, Zhenyu Wang^*
, Baoshan Xing^*

^*Corresponding author for this work

State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research (School of Marine Sciences)

Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review

19 Scopus citations

Abstract

Plastic pollution from microplastics (1 μm–5 mm) and nanoplastics (<1 μm) is an emerging global threat. These particles have been detected in water, soil, atmospheric samples and even in naturally sampled organisms and human tissues/organs with potential ecological and health risks. However, most detection techniques are better suited for microplastic and nanoplastic (MNP) identification in ideal media (such as water) and face limitations when analysing biological samples. This issue must be addressed because the minimum sizes of MNPs found in organisms are often larger than those detected in water. In this Review, we discuss current progress in the detection, identification and analysis of MNPs in naturally sampled organisms and the human body. Moreover, we provide recommendations for how to improve the workflows of detection and labelling of MNPs in biological samples.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	1019-1033
Number of pages	15
Journal	Nature Reviews Bioengineering
Volume	3
Issue number	12
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1038/s44222-025-00335-0
State	Published - Dec 2025

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Access to Document

10.1038/s44222-025-00335-0

Cite this

@article{3d29424ca84847a3a6d4ed6ed5f9e0bf,

title = "Detection and characterization of microplastics and nanoplastics in biological samples",

abstract = "Plastic pollution from microplastics (1 μm–5 mm) and nanoplastics (<1 μm) is an emerging global threat. These particles have been detected in water, soil, atmospheric samples and even in naturally sampled organisms and human tissues/organs with potential ecological and health risks. However, most detection techniques are better suited for microplastic and nanoplastic (MNP) identification in ideal media (such as water) and face limitations when analysing biological samples. This issue must be addressed because the minimum sizes of MNPs found in organisms are often larger than those detected in water. In this Review, we discuss current progress in the detection, identification and analysis of MNPs in naturally sampled organisms and the human body. Moreover, we provide recommendations for how to improve the workflows of detection and labelling of MNPs in biological samples.",

author = "Jian Zhao and Ruyi Lan and Hongmei Tan and Jianjun Wang and Yuanshuo Ma and Qiqing Chen and Fei Jiang and Zhenyu Wang and Baoshan Xing",

note = "Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} Springer Nature Limited 2025.",

year = "2025",

month = dec,

doi = "10.1038/s44222-025-00335-0",

language = "英语",

volume = "3",

pages = "1019--1033",

journal = "Nature Reviews Bioengineering",

issn = "2731-6092",

publisher = "Springer Nature",

number = "12",

}

TY - JOUR

T1 - Detection and characterization of microplastics and nanoplastics in biological samples

AU - Zhao, Jian

AU - Lan, Ruyi

AU - Tan, Hongmei

AU - Wang, Jianjun

AU - Ma, Yuanshuo

AU - Chen, Qiqing

AU - Jiang, Fei

AU - Wang, Zhenyu

AU - Xing, Baoshan

PY - 2025/12

Y1 - 2025/12

N2 - Plastic pollution from microplastics (1 μm–5 mm) and nanoplastics (<1 μm) is an emerging global threat. These particles have been detected in water, soil, atmospheric samples and even in naturally sampled organisms and human tissues/organs with potential ecological and health risks. However, most detection techniques are better suited for microplastic and nanoplastic (MNP) identification in ideal media (such as water) and face limitations when analysing biological samples. This issue must be addressed because the minimum sizes of MNPs found in organisms are often larger than those detected in water. In this Review, we discuss current progress in the detection, identification and analysis of MNPs in naturally sampled organisms and the human body. Moreover, we provide recommendations for how to improve the workflows of detection and labelling of MNPs in biological samples.

AB - Plastic pollution from microplastics (1 μm–5 mm) and nanoplastics (<1 μm) is an emerging global threat. These particles have been detected in water, soil, atmospheric samples and even in naturally sampled organisms and human tissues/organs with potential ecological and health risks. However, most detection techniques are better suited for microplastic and nanoplastic (MNP) identification in ideal media (such as water) and face limitations when analysing biological samples. This issue must be addressed because the minimum sizes of MNPs found in organisms are often larger than those detected in water. In this Review, we discuss current progress in the detection, identification and analysis of MNPs in naturally sampled organisms and the human body. Moreover, we provide recommendations for how to improve the workflows of detection and labelling of MNPs in biological samples.

UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105011143753

U2 - 10.1038/s44222-025-00335-0

DO - 10.1038/s44222-025-00335-0

M3 - 文献综述

AN - SCOPUS:105011143753

SN - 2731-6092

VL - 3

SP - 1019

EP - 1033

JO - Nature Reviews Bioengineering

JF - Nature Reviews Bioengineering

IS - 12

ER -

Detection and characterization of microplastics and nanoplastics in biological samples

Abstract

UN SDGs

Access to Document

Other files and links

Fingerprint

Cite this