Microplastic contamination in fish: A systematic global review of trends, health risks, and implications for consumer safety

Abstract

Microplastic contamination in fish presents a growing environmental and public health concern, with implications that extend from aquatic ecosystems to consumer safety. This review presents a systematic summary of current knowledge about the health hazards of microplastics in fishes, including bioaccumulation, transfer mechanisms in the food chain, and the roles of microplastics as carriers of antibiotic-resistant genes. By comparing the level of contamination in both safely grown mud fish under aquaculture and directly from natural sources such as nearby coastal areas, we are able to point out the fluctuations of the risks of being contaminated from the different sources for a common consumer and suitable bodies to take action on which type of seafood should be preferred. Using bibliometric data, the study notes that research activity has increased significantly in recent years due to awareness and collaboration across disciplines where China, India, and Italy lead in scientific output. The distribution of keyword themes over time shows the transition from highly specialized toxicological content towards more fundamental genomics and system-oriented ideas regarding molecular, ecosystem, and human health. Furthermore, case studies and experimental works concerning contaminants such as POPs, heavy metals, and pathogenic bacteria are incorporated in this review along with the relationship between fish bioaccumulation of these contaminants and toxicological impacts on humans. Finally, this review points to the dictum that the problem of aquaculture strongly demands future directions regarding the regulation and the management of its sustainable practices, as well as consumer's awareness of the part of health risks they incur in between. The present review tries to assess the current state of knowledge on microplastics in the marine food chain and to define areas relevant for further investigation and the policy implications arising from the impacts of microplastics in the ecosystem.

Keywords: Antibiotic resistance; Aquaculture; Bioaccumulation; Fish health; Food safety; Microplastic contamination.