Microplastics in Food and Their Toxicological Effects: A Two-Decade Bibliometric Study (2000–2025)
International Journal of Medical Toxicology and Forensic Medicine,
Vol. 16 (2026),
1 Dey 2026
,
Page 1-9
https://doi.org/10.22037/ijmtfm.v16.51561
Abstract
Background: Microplastics (MPs) have emerged as pervasive contaminants in the global food supply chain, raising growing concerns about their potential toxicological effects on ecosystems and human health.
Methods: The present study is a cross-sectional bibliometric and science-mapping study of Scopus-indexed publications from 2000 to 2025. Using VOSviewer and Bibliometrix (RStudio), we mapped the scientific landscape of this field, highlighting a marked increase in research output and identifying the leading contributors by authorship, country, and collaboration patterns.
Results: Keyword co-occurrence analysis identifies seven dominant research themes spanning marine pollution pathways, toxicological mechanisms, human exposure risks, environmental fate, polymer-specific impacts, interactions with co-contaminants, and ecological effects on the early life stages of aquatic organisms.
Conclusion: Temporal evolution analysis highlights a shift from environmental distribution studies toward mechanistic toxicology and human health risk assessment. Despite rapid advances, critical research gaps remain in standardized analytical protocols, long-term exposure effects, and combined-contaminant toxicity. This integrative study offers a strategic overview of scientific progress, identifies knowledge frontiers, and provides guidance for future interdisciplinary research and evidence-based policy development to mitigate microplastic contamination in food systems.
- Microplastics, Bibliometrics, Environmental Pollution, Food, Health Risks, Ingestion, Toxicity
How to Cite
References
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