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Growth, viability, and Raman spectroscopy data for Bacillus clausii exposed to weathered and new polyethylene microplastics
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Scientists tested how tiny plastic particles (microplastics) from common plastic bags and containers affect a beneficial gut bacteria strain, finding that higher concentrations of these particles slowed bacterial growth and reduced survival, especially with "weathered" plastic that had broken down from sun and environmental exposure. This matters because we're increasingly exposed to microplastics through food and water, and this research suggests they could disrupt the helpful bacteria living in our gut, which play a role in digestion and overall health. More research is needed to know how this plays out in the human body, but it's an early signal that plastic pollution may have effects
This dataset contains the experimental data supporting the study “Effects of polyethylene microplastic weathering on Bacillus clausii growth, viability, and polymer–bacteria interactions.” The dataset includes optical density-based growth measurements of B. clausii exposed to new low-density polyethylene (n-LDPE), weathered low-density polyethylene (w-LDPE), and weathered high-density polyethylene (w-HDPE) microplastics at different concentrations and exposure times. It also includes colony-forming unit (CFU) counts used to evaluate bacterial viability after 24 h of exposure, as well as Raman spectroscopy data obtained from PE samples before and after interaction with B. clausii for 72 h. The data are organized according to the corresponding manuscript figures and include replicate values, mean values, and standard deviations where applicable. These data allow verification of the reported concentration-dependent growth inhibition, viability impairment, and PE surface spectral changes associated with polymer–bacteria interaction.
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Growth, viability, and Raman spectroscopy data for Bacillus clausii exposed to weathered and new polyethylene microplastics
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Scientists tested how tiny plastic particles (microplastics) from common plastic bags and containers affect a beneficial gut bacteria strain (Bacillus clausii, often used in probiotics). They found that exposure to these microplastics—especially "weathered" ones that have broken down from sun and environmental exposure—slowed bacterial growth and reduced survival, with stronger effects at higher plastic concentrations. This matters because it suggests microplastics we're increasingly exposed to through food and water could potentially harm helpful bacteria living in our gut, which play a role in digestion and overall health.
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