In her master's thesis at the Technical University of Munich (TUM), Luisa Kristina Murer developed a method for determining the number of microplastic particles in food. The question of whether particles can migrate from packaging into products is a recurring topic of discussion. The researcher was honoured by Multivac for her work.
Speculation is circulating in the media that microscopically small plastic particles are transferred from packaging to food and enter the human body. However, there is little scientific evidence to support these assumptions - there is a lack of data and knowledge about the role of the packaging manufacturing process. In her Master's thesis, Luisa Kristina Murer, who is studying for a Master's degree in Food Technology and Biotechnology at TUM, takes a scientific approach to the assumptions about microplastics in food.
Specifically, the thesis considers Factors that influence the occurrence of microplastics in the production of plastic food packaging. In her work, the student developed a standardised method to determine the number of microplastic particles in different plastic films. Using standardised model foods, she also investigated the question of whether these microplastics can be transferred to food.
„Personally, it was important to me to treat this sensitive topic neutrally, as the subject is often misunderstood and misrepresented in the media. For example, my work not only contains absolute figures, but also comparative values with natural particles in order to put the quantities of microplastics into context.“
Luisa Kristina Murer
Although still Further research needed, to increase the statistical significance and to be able to make reliable statements about the significance of plastic particles. But the work has already brought the following realisation: The Manufacturing process of plastic packaging influences the number of microplastic particles.
