Characterization of microplastics present in oil commercial extravirgin olive by Laser Direct InfraRed (LDIR)

The presence of microplastics in wastewater highlights the need to manage plastic waste to prevent contamination of water, the environment, and the food chain. Studies have found microplastics in foods like meat, sugar, beer, honey, and milk. This study assesses microplastics in commercial extra virgin olive oil, identifying the contaminants and their percentages using the LDIR (Laser Direct Infrared Imaging) technique. The analysis detected contaminants such as cellulose, chitin, polyamide (PA), and polypropylene (PP). The contamination likely results from both the production process and agronomic factors. A comparative evaluation of retail and short-chain olive oils was also conducted.