Determination and quantification of microplastics in goat farms

Abstract

Microplastics have emerged as a significant environmental threat, yet their distribution in goat farms and their impact on livestock products remain underexplored. This study aims to identify and quantify microplastics in various components of goat farming, including soil (grass fields), main feed, supplementary feed, drinking water, goat feces, and goat milk. The research methodology involved sampling 1 kg from each livestock component, followed by chemical digestion for sample preparation and microplastic analysis using FTIR spectroscopy. The microplastic data were analyzed by shape (fiber, fragment, film, filament, granule, sheet) and color (black, blue, red, transparent, yellow), as well as the polymer type, to assess their distribution across the farm. The results showed that fiber was the most dominant form of microplastic, with the highest number found in goat farm (250 particles/kg), while black dominated the entire sample and the type of polyethylene and low-density polyethylene polymer found. These findings suggest that feed, water, and the farm environment are major sources of microplastics, which may accumulate in goats' bodies and subsequently enter dairy products. This study provides valuable insights into the potential risks microplastics pose to livestock health and food safety, highlighting the need for efforts to reduce microplastic pollution in the livestock industry.