Determination of microplastic in stingless bee Heterotrigona itama (Hymenoptera: Meliponini)

Microplastics, resulting from the fragmentation or degradation of plastic materials, emerged as significant environmental pollutants with potential adverse effects on ecosystems and organisms. This research investigated the presence of microplastics within stingless bees (Heterotrigona itama), which are crucial for pollination and ecosystem maintenance. Despite their ecological importance, the impact of microplastics on these bees was not well understood. The objectives of this study were to assess the occurrence of microplastics in stingless bees and to characterize the types of microplastics present. To achieve these goals, a comprehensive approach was employed, integrating field sampling with laboratory analysis. Stingless bee colonies were collected from three local bee farms in glass container. Microplastic characterization was performed using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). This study provided valuable insights into the prevalence and types of microplastic contamination within stingless bees. There are 10 different kinds of microplastic was found resulting from the sample due to the environment status of the bee farm that can cause the effect of the stingless bee health and reproductive in the area.