Topic: Environment

Scientists in South Korea discovered a probiotic bacterium found in kimchi that can help remove microplastics from the body. The bacterium binds to tiny plastic particles and helps them leave the body through waste.

Kimchi is a popular Korean fermented food that has been enjoyed for centuries. Now, scientists have found that it may also have a surprising benefit: helping to remove microplastics from the body. Microplastics are tiny plastic particles that can enter our bodies through food and drinking water. They can build up in organs like the kidneys and brain, which is concerning because they're so small and hard to detect.

A team of researchers at the World Institute of Kimchi, led by Drs. Se Hee Lee and Tae Woong Whon, studied a strain of lactic acid bacteria isolated from kimchi. They found that this bacterium can bind to tiny plastic particles in the intestine and help remove them through waste.

The team tested the bacterium's ability to attach to polystyrene nanoplastics (PS-NPs) under different conditions. They found that the kimchi-derived bacterium was able to maintain a strong binding level of 57% even in environments similar to the human digestive tract. This is much better than a reference strain, which had an adsorption rate of just 3% under the same conditions.

To test the bacterium's effectiveness in real-life situations, the team also studied its effects on germ-free mice. They found that mice that received the probiotic had more than double the amount of nanoplastics in their feces compared to mice that did not receive it. This suggests that the bacterium may help remove microplastics from the body by binding to them and promoting their excretion.

The study's findings have important implications for public health and environmental solutions. Dr. Sehee Lee, the lead researcher, said, 'Plastic pollution is increasingly recognized not only as an environmental issue but also as a public health concern.' The researchers believe that microorganisms derived from traditional fermented foods like kimchi could represent a new biological approach to address this emerging challenge.

Why It Matters

As India continues to struggle with plastic waste and pollution, finding innovative ways to remove microplastics from our bodies is crucial. This study shows that traditional fermented foods like kimchi may hold the key to reducing nanoplastic accumulation in our digestive systems.

Key Facts

• A probiotic bacterium found in kimchi can help remove microplastics from the body by binding to them and promoting their excretion.
• The bacterium was tested under different conditions, including environments similar to the human digestive tract, and showed strong binding levels of 57%.
• Germ-free mice that received the probiotic had more than double the amount of nanoplastics in their feces compared to mice that did not receive it.
• Microplastics are tiny plastic particles that can enter our bodies through food and drinking water and build up in organs like the kidneys and brain.
• The study's findings have important implications for public health and environmental solutions.

Key Terms

Nanoplastics

Tiny plastic particles measuring less than 1 micrometer (μm) that can enter our bodies through food and drinking water

Implications

As India continues to struggle with plastic waste and pollution, finding innovative ways to remove microplastics from our bodies is crucial. This study shows that traditional fermented foods like kimchi may hold the key to reducing nanoplastic accumulation in our digestive systems.