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<p>The widespread presence of microplastics (MPs) in aquatic environments has raised concerns about their interactions with biotic systems, including potential degradation during digestion by aquatic organisms. This study explores the susceptibility of two common polymers, polyamide (PA, Nylon 6,6) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET), to enzymatic degradation by two representative fish digestive enzymes, pepsin and lipase. An in vitro protocol was developed to simulate the gastric and intestinal conditions of sardine (<i>Sardinops sagax</i>) and yellowfin tuna (<i>Thunnus albacares</i>), varying pH, enzyme activity, and exposure time. The degradation extent was assessed through mass loss and surface/molecular alterations analyzed by stereomicroscopy and FTIR-ATR spectroscopy. Pepsin promoted partial degradation of PA, with up to 3.6% weight loss at pH 2 and high enzymatic activity, together with the degradation of an additive-related carbonyl band (1740&#xa0;cm⁻¹) from FTIR spectra. In contrast, lipase induced only minor changes, and PET remained chemically and morphologically unaltered under all tested conditions. These findings indicate that fish digestive enzymes alone cannot cause extensive polymer breakdown within typical gut residence times but can trigger limited surface modifications and additive removal. The results provide new insights into enzyme-specific microplastic transformations and contribute to understanding their fate in aquatic organisms.</p>

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In vitro assessment of microplastic degradation by pepsin and lipase as selected fish digestive enzymes

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年2月14日

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  • Simona Di Bonito,
  • Luca Rivoira,
  • C. Marisa R. Almeida,
  • Sandra Ramos,
  • Mihail Simion Beldean-Galea,
  • Titus Vlase,
  • Maria Concetta Bruzzoniti

摘要

The widespread presence of microplastics (MPs) in aquatic environments has raised concerns about their interactions with biotic systems, including potential degradation during digestion by aquatic organisms. This study explores the susceptibility of two common polymers, polyamide (PA, Nylon 6,6) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET), to enzymatic degradation by two representative fish digestive enzymes, pepsin and lipase. An in vitro protocol was developed to simulate the gastric and intestinal conditions of sardine (Sardinops sagax) and yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares), varying pH, enzyme activity, and exposure time. The degradation extent was assessed through mass loss and surface/molecular alterations analyzed by stereomicroscopy and FTIR-ATR spectroscopy. Pepsin promoted partial degradation of PA, with up to 3.6% weight loss at pH 2 and high enzymatic activity, together with the degradation of an additive-related carbonyl band (1740 cm⁻¹) from FTIR spectra. In contrast, lipase induced only minor changes, and PET remained chemically and morphologically unaltered under all tested conditions. These findings indicate that fish digestive enzymes alone cannot cause extensive polymer breakdown within typical gut residence times but can trigger limited surface modifications and additive removal. The results provide new insights into enzyme-specific microplastic transformations and contribute to understanding their fate in aquatic organisms.