Feasibility Study on Quantification of Biodegradable Polyester Microplastics Based on Intrinsic Fluorescence.

ABSTRACT: While biodegradable plastics alleviate plastic pollution, their degradation-derived biodegradable microplastics (BMPs) pose new ecological risks, necessitating efficient quantification methods. This study explores a label-free approach by leveraging the intrinsic fluorescence of common biodegradable polyesters (PLA, PHB, PBS, PBAT, PCL). We find that biodegradable microplastics exhibit two types of characteristic fluorescence emission: one originating from molecular functional groups and the other originating from the chromophore formed by the aggregation of conjugated groups. Using PBAT as a model, we confirm that fluorescence intensity depends on the BMPs' size and shape. Under 380 nm excitation, concentration-dependent signals are observed at 436 nm (indirectly from PBAT-enhanced water

SUBMITTER: Shi TC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12609927 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature