MICROPLASTIC CONTENT IN TILAPIA (Oreochromis mossambicus) MILKFISH (Chanos chanos) AT BENOWO MARKET, BENOWO VILLAGE, PAKAL SUB-DISTRICT, SURABAYA IN 2025
Keywords:
Microplastic, Tilapia fish, Milk fish, Benowo Market, PolymerAbstract
Background: Microplastics posed significant threats to both aquatic ecosystems and human health. Tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus) and milkfish (Chanos chanos) were among the commonly consumed fish species that were cultivated in fishponds around the Benowo area. The proximity of these ponds to the Benowo Final Waste Disposal Site raised concerns regarding potential microplastic contamination due to environmental pollution. Object: This study aimed to identify the presence and characteristics of microplastic particles in the bodies of tilapia and milkfish sold at Benowo Market, Surabaya. The results were intended to provide early insight into food safety risks associated with fish consumption in areas near unmanaged waste disposal. Methods: This research was a descriptive study with a qualitative approach. The objects of the research were tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus) and milkfish (Chanos chanos) sold at Benowo Market. The research variable focused on the presence of microplastics. Data were collected through observation, documentation, and laboratory testing using a stereo microscope. The results were analyzed descriptively. Results: The results showed that most of the tilapia and milkfish samples examined contained microplastics. Microplastics were identified mainly in the digestive organs and, to a lesser extent, in the flesh. Fiber-shaped microplastics were more dominant than fragments. After the frying process, microplastics were still detected in the flesh of both fish species. Conclusion: This indicated that microplastic particles remained intact even after being exposed to high temperatures during cooking, and thus posed a potential risk of entering the human food chain. Further research was recommended to identify the polymer types of the detected microplastics using FTIR or GC-MS methods in order to assess their possible impacts on human health more comprehensively.
