Chapter 7: Microplastic Detection and Quantification with Biosensing Techniques

Microplastics (MPs), particles ranging from 1 μm to 5 mm, have risen to prominence as significant pollutants on a global scale, driven by the widespread use of plastics in our daily lives. Their ability to transition from the micro- to the nanoscale (less than 1 μm) allows them to permeate every corner of the natural world, leading to ecological imbalances and global crises. Despite their pervasive presence, the absence of a standardized method for effectively separating and analyzing microplastics in real food or environmental samples remains a critical challenge. Consequently, there is a pressing need to devise a simple, rapid, cost-effective, and accurate method, capable of precisely gauging the degree of MP contamination. Conventional detection methods have several limitations in the detection of microplastics, as they are not always efficient in terms of cost, speed, on-site capabilities, or real-time analysis. In this particular context, biosensors have demonstrated remarkable efficacy in enabling accurate, on-site, and real-time detection of MPs. This chapter covers basic topics with an emphasis on the detection and measurement of MPs utilizing biosensing technology.