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Title
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MICROPLASTIC CONTAMINATION IN GIANT TIGER PRAWNS
(Penaeus monodon) IN SELECTED AQUACULTURE PONDS IN
BONIFACIO, MISAMIS OCCIDENTAL
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Author(s)
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ARCITE, RIA C.
PADILLO, JOCELYN H.
TALA,PRINCE ONE A.
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Affiliation
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MISAMIS UNIVERSITY
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Degree Program
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Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology
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Contributor
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ENGUITO, MARIE ROSELLYNN C. MSc BIO
ATTY. AWA, ANTHONY L. MSc BIO, LPT
LAO, KARL MAXEL O. RMT, MSc MLS
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Year
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2026
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Abstract
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Microplastics have been recognized as emerging environmental pollutants that pose risks to aquatic organisms and may threaten human health through the consumption of contaminated seafood. This study determined the presence and levels of microplastic contamination in giant tiger prawns (Penaeus monodon) collected from selected aquaculture ponds in Barangay Migpange, Bonifacio, Misamis Occidental. A descriptive research design was employed, wherein 30 prawns were collected from three sampling sites and subjected to gastrointestinal tract dissection under sterile conditions. Tissue digestion was performed with 10% potassium hydroxide (KOH), followed by density separation with a saturated sodium chloride (NaCl) solution. The resulting filtrates were examined under an Olympus CX23 microscope, and suspected
microplastics were identified by their physical characteristics and verified with a hot-needle test. Descriptive statistics, including total count, mean, and frequency distribution, were utilized to analyze the data. Microplastics were detected in prawns from all sampling sites. Microplastics were detected at all sampling sites and consisted of fibers and rubber fragments in blue, red, green, and black colors. Site 1 showed the highest contamination with seven particles (mean = 0.70 MPs per prawn), whereas Sites 2 and 3 each contained two particles (mean = 0.20 MPs per prawn). These findings confirmed microplastic contamination in local aquaculture systems and demonstrated variations in contamination levels among the sampled ponds.
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Keywords
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aquaculture, food safety, microplastics, Penaeus monodon, pollution
