PlastiTrax® Artificial Test Samples
| Reproducible Matrix |
Our PlastiTrax® Artificial Test Samples provide a unique solution for the realistic yet fully controlled simulation of complex environmental matrices in microplastic analysis. Each sample contains a precisely defined number of microplastic particles from our PlastiTrax® reference materials, enabling accurate and reproducible recovery calculations.
Unlike real environmental samples—where background contamination is often unknown and highly variable—our matrices are designed to be as particle-free as technically possible (except for the spiked particles). The water used is filtered to 0.22 µm, the inorganic matrix is thermally treated to remove organic contaminants, and the organic cellulose matrix is derived from the inner part of natural wood to minimize external contamination. This ensures that only the intentionally added particles determine the analytical evaluation.
This reproducible matrix creates, for the first time, the opportunity to systematically test, optimize, and validate specific sample preparation steps under identical conditions. Whether chemical digestion, density separation, or filtration strategies, analytical methods can be developed and improved under realistic yet controlled conditions.
PlastiTrax® Artificial Test Samples therefore combine environmental realism with maximum experimental control—providing the ideal foundation for robust method development, reliable performance validation, and objective quality assurance in microplastic analysis.
Microplastics
The PlastiTrax® tablet contains a defined number of the 10 priority polymers. As with all our tablets, the exact number of embedded particles is determined by µFTIR analysis, ensuring full traceability and analytical accuracy. After addition to the aqueous matrix, the tablet dissolves completely and releases the particles into the sample. The precise particle number is indicated on the label of the vial.
NEW: To further increase environmental relevance, the product is also available with “real-life” microplastics (Real Plastix) derived from common consumer products such as PET bottles, yogurt cups, and PE films.
Organic Cellulose Matrix
The cellulose matrix is produced through a controlled drying and cryogenic milling process. Wood is used as the starting material, and the outer cut surfaces are removed prior to processing to minimize potential contamination as much as possible. The resulting cellulose matrix is specifically designed to mimic realistic environmental samples and is particularly suitable for testing and optimizing chemical digestion procedures.
Glass Vial
The GC glass vials used for the Artificial Test Samples are thoroughly pre-cleaned and rinsed to minimize background contamination. Each vial is equipped with a high-quality PTFE septum, ensuring chemical inertness and preventing the introduction of polymer-based contaminants.
Filtered Water (0.22 µm)
The water used for sample preparation is filtered through a 0.22 µm cellulose acetate membrane to minimize potential contamination. It rapidly dissolves the KBr tablet and ensures the controlled release of the embedded particles into the matrix. This approach creates a reproducible sample environment, enabling objective evaluation and optimization of analytical methods for complex matrices.
Inorganic Matrix
The inorganic matrix ensures a low background contamination level. Depending on the application, CaCO₃, sea sand, or a combination of both can be used to simulate a realistic inorganic environmental matrix under controlled conditions. Such matrices require appropriate sample preparation steps, including chemical digestion and density separation, allowing these procedures to be systematically tested and optimized.
Realistic.Reproducible.Controlled.
The organic cellulose matrix is designed to simulate real environmental samples containing organic material, such as sediments, sewage sludge, or biologically influenced samples. It enables targeted testing of sample preparation procedures aimed at degrading or removing organic components (e.g., chemical or enzymatic digestion).
Organic matrices present analytical challenges such as particle overlap or the formation of agglomerates on the filter, which can complicate spectroscopic identification and lead to biased recovery rates. The defined cellulose matrix allows these effects to be investigated under reproducible conditions and enables targeted optimization of preparation steps to minimize particle loss or misidentification.
The inorganic matrix (e.g., thermally treated sea sand) simulates mineral-dominated environmental samples such as sediments or sand. Its primary purpose is the evaluation and optimization of density separation procedures. Since microplastic particles exhibit different densities, the efficiency of density separation is a key factor for obtaining valid recovery results. The controlled inorganic matrix enables systematic assessment of separation efficiency across different polymer densities and helps identify potential particle losses during sedimentation, decanting, or filtration.
By combining both matrices, different realistic scenarios can be reproduced in a controlled and reproducible way—from organically loaded samples with potential agglomerate formation to mineral matrices where the efficiency of density extraction is the main analytical challenge.
