Abstract
Microplastics (MP) are ubiquitous in the environment, and have been detected in the tissues of several species. Limited studies quantify the presence of MP in food producing species, including sheep. Here, MP were screened in tissue samples from Australian sheep using low-cost methodologies, with the aim of enabling their subsequent chemical characterization and quantification. Samples of several organs from six sheep were prepared using (i) a standard digestion and filtration protocol, and (ii) a novel impression smear method. Both methods involved staining with Nile Red (10µg/ml) and observation by fluorescence microscopy. Suspected MP were detected in 32.3% (10/31) of digestion samples, 51.6% (16/31) of smear samples and 50.0% (8/16) of controls. Such results will direct further research aimed at contributing to food safety and public health policies focused on animal and human health.
