Microplastics and nanoplastics detection using flow cytometry: Challenges and methodological advances with fluorescent dye application.

Flow cytometry (FC) enables the precise quantification of specific types of microparticles and larger nanoparticles (>200 nm) in liquid media. Initially developed for biological applications, this technique has recently been adapted to the environmental field for the measurement of microplastics and nanoplastics (MNPs). Nile Red, a fluorochrome extensively used in MNP analysis due to its effectiveness and accessibility, has been applied to significantly enhance the sensitivity and specificity of MNP detection of this technique.