Kimchi-Derived Bacteria Found to Flush Nanoplastics From the Gut, Study Shows
Researchers at the World Institute of Kimchi in South Korea found that a lactic acid bacterium from kimchi can bind to nanoplastics in the intestine and help the body excrete them. In tests on germ-free mice, animals treated with the bacterium excreted more than double the amount of nanoplastics compared to untreated mice. The study was published in the journal Bioresource Technology.
Researchers at the World Institute of Kimchi in South Korea have found that a bacterium derived from kimchi can bind to nanoplastics in the human intestine and help the body flush them out through waste.
The study, published in the journal Bioresource Technology, focused on a lactic acid bacterium called Leuconostoc mesenteroides CBA3656. Nanoplastics, particles smaller than one micrometer, are a growing public health concern because they can enter the body through food and water and potentially accumulate in organs including the brain and kidneys.
In laboratory tests, the kimchi-derived strain bound to polystyrene nanoplastics at a rate of 87 percent under standard conditions. When researchers simulated human intestinal conditions, the strain maintained a binding efficiency of 57 percent, far outperforming a reference strain that dropped to just 3 percent under the same conditions.
To test the results in a living system, the team gave the probiotic to germ-free mice. Mice treated with the kimchi bacterium excreted more than double the amount of nanoplastics in their feces compared to untreated mice.
Lead scientist Dr. Se Hee Lee said the findings point to a new biological approach for reducing the health risks associated with environmental micropollutants. Researchers say the study shows that microorganisms in traditional fermented foods may offer benefits beyond digestion and food preservation.
