Accumulation of microplastics in fugu (Takifugu bimaculatus): A comparative study between fishing grounds and aquafarms

Microplastics (MPs) in fish have attracted attention recently, for their ecological and food safety risks. However, knowledge gaps still exist regarding MPs in fugu, a special poisonous but precious seafood, especially that accumulated in its tissues. Accordingly, this study investigated the characteristics of MPs in cultured Takifugu bimaculatus which raised on three aquafarms and in wild individuals from three fishing grounds. More than 98.85 % of T. bimaculatus were contaminated by MPs and the average MPs abundance in wild fugu (4.25 +/- 2.63 items/individual) was lower than that of cultured fugu (7.91 +/- 2.16 items/individual). The abundance of MPs in fugu's tissues under different life patterns shows significant differences. There were marked differences in size of MPs presented in various tissues. This study adds to the knowledge on MPs accumulation in the tissues of wild and cultured fugu, providing warnings about its transmission and ecological risks in the food chain.

Automated summary

Microplastics in fish pose risks to ecology and food safety. This study investigated the characteristics of microplastics in fugu and found that over 98.85% of fugu were contaminated by microplastics. Wild fugu had a lower abundance of microplastics compared to cultured fugu, and the abundance of microplastics varied among different tissues and life patterns.