using KOH (10%) and incubation for 48 Hrs. was not enough because the slime of the snails was not degrade and it was effect the filtration process ...Shall i increase the concentration ? or better to have alternatives let us say Nitric Acid ?
please let me know your ideas ..
Muna
There are several methods for degrading biological tissue to extract microplastic particles, and the most appropriate method depends on the specific properties of the tissue and the microplastics being extracted. Here are some possible alternatives to using KOH:
It is important to note that increasing the concentration of KOH may not necessarily be effective and may even damage the microplastics. It is also important to ensure that any method used does not interfere with the microplastic analysis or introduce any artifacts into the sample. Therefore, it is recommended to test different methods and optimize the conditions to ensure the best results.
Would someone please help? I have carried out Fenton pretreatment and that has left out a lot of ferric precipitates on my filter paper. So, i have added 50 to 60 % of sulphuric acid onto my GF filters to dissolve the ferric precipitates. Then, I could see that the precipitates were dissolved immediately and then I have washed the filter paper with plenty of millipore water. But, I would like to know whether this process (less than one min of contact between filter paper and 55 % sulphuric acid solution) would affect the chemical nature of my microplastics? Observation in microscope suggests that discolouration has occurred. But I would like to know does any of you has encountered similar situation? What is your recommendation? Thank you so much.
Dear Angel
you need to consider the (Ph sensitive polymer) , since you use strong acid indeed the color will change, I did the same but with nitric Acid to digest the OMs from the biological samples and the particles start bleaching
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