Unveiling microplastic contamination in seafood: Source, fate, analytical methods, health impacts, mitigation strategies and scientometric trends

Abstract

Plastics are highly resistant to degradation, persist in the environment for extended periods, and fragment into microplastics (MPs), which subsequently enter the environment and pose ecological and human health risks by entering the food chain. Marine organisms acquire MPs from their surroundings and accumulate them in various organs, which subsequently affects human health through various disorders. As seafood consumption increases annually, foodborne contaminants are continually introduced into the human body. However, consolidated data on MPs in seafood, including their sources, fate, health effects, extraction techniques, determination methods, mitigation measures, and future research directions, are limited. This study examines the detection methods and health effects of MPs in seafood while conducting a scientometric analysis to map global research trends. It examines research development from 2011 to 2025, identifying key themes, publication growth patterns, collaborations between authors and institutions, and regional contributions. The analysis revealed research gaps, including insufficient toxicological studies, limited regional data, and inconsistent detection methods, and suggested areas for future interdisciplinary research. By analyzing keyword patterns and citation networks, this study shows how scientific priorities are shifting, offering insights for researchers, policymakers, and funding organizations that address MP risks in seafood. Therefore, it is imperative to regulate seafood safety and control plastic pollution in marine environments through proper management. This review provides comprehensive information on MPs in seafood, including sources, fate, accumulation, health effects, extraction, detection, and mitigation measures, based on a literature review and scientometric analysis, contributing to seafood safety and consumer health.