Kimchi Probiotic Binds Nanoplastics

Scientists at the Institut du monde arabe in South Korea>>> have discovered that a probiotic bacterium, Leuconostoc mesenteroides>>> CBA3656, isolated from kimchi, can effectively bind to nanoplastics. This bacterium demonstrated an 87% adsorption efficiency in laboratory conditions and maintained a 57% efficiency in simulated human intestinal environments, significantly outperforming a reference strain, Latilactobacillus sakei>>> CBA3608. Further tests on germ-free mice showed that those receiving Leuconostoc mesenteroides>>> CBA3656 excreted more than double the amount of nanoplastics in their feces. The findings, published in Bioresource Technology>>>, suggest that this kimchi-derived bacterium could offer a new biological approach to help the body remove harmful nanoplastics, which are a growing public health concern due to their ability to accumulate in organs like the kidneys and brain. Lee Se-hee>>>, the lead researcher, emphasized the potential of microorganisms from traditional fermented foods to address this environmental and health challenge.