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Role of Nanoplastic in Decreasing the Intestinal Microbiome Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes Ratio
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This literature review covering 2000–2025 studies found that nanoplastics (but not microplastics) consistently decrease the gut microbiome's Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio — a key marker of gut dysbiosis — proposing that nanoplastic size facilitates direct bacterial membrane interactions that selectively disrupt Firmicutes.
Exposure to micro- and nanoplastic (MNP) can result in poor gut health, leading to a myriad of diseases. A review of the MNP literature from 2000-2025 was completed and focused on studies that reported intestinal microbiome dysbiosis and poor gut health after exposure to plastic. Discussions on the inter-relatedness of the microbiome bacteria and on the differences between the Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes cell walls prepares the reader for the arguments of how and why nano- rather than micro- plastic decreases the Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes (F/B) ratio and suggests that the results lead to ill gut health. Future directions are proposed for studies that could provide more information about this relationship and potentially lead to better long-term human health outcomes.
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