Microplastics and leachate materials from pharmaceutical bottle: An in vivo study in Donax faba (Marine Clam)

Most pharmaceuticals are stored in synthetic polymer bottles, manufactured using polyethylene as the base material. The toxicological impact of pharmaceutical container leachate was studied on Donax faba. Several organics and inorganics were identified from the leachate. The concentrations of heavy metals in the leachate was higher than standard reference value for drinking water. In the leachate treatment the protein concentration increased to 8.5% more than the control. The reactive oxygen species (ROS) level elevated by 3 folds and malondialdehyde (MDA) increased by 4.3% in comparison to the control. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) showed a decrease by 14% and 70.5% respectively. The leachate affected the antioxidant machinery of D. faba. Similarly, these PET (polyethylene terephthalate) pharmaceutical containers could potentially leach additives into the drugs and may cause oxidative and metabolic damages to higher organisms including human beings.

Automated summary

Most pharmaceuticals are stored in synthetic polymer bottles made of polyethylene, which can lead to toxicological impact on Donax faba. The leachate from the pharmaceutical container contained various organics and inorganics, with concentrations of heavy metals exceeding the standard reference value for drinking water. The leachate treatment resulted in increased protein concentration, elevated levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA), and decreased activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT). Moreover, the PET pharmaceutical containers could potentially release additives, causing oxidative and metabolic damages to higher organisms including humans.