We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
From ingestion to transformation: in vitro evidence of nanoplastic alterations by biological fluids
AI summary Read the abstract
When tiny plastic particles (nanoplastics) are exposed to simulated stomach and gut fluids, scientists found they don't stay the same, they clump together and get coated with digestive proteins, changing their size and surface properties. This matters because these transformations could affect whether the particles pass through your gut lining into your body, but more research is needed to know exactly how this impacts health risks.
The presence of nanoplastics (NPs) in the environment raises concerns about human exposure, mainly through ingestion. However, little is known about their physicochemical transformations during digestion. This study investigated the behaviour of polystyrene (PS) NPs (350 nm, 500 nm, and a 1:1 mixture) during in vitro digestion. Dynamic light scattering (DLS), ζ-potential measurements, and single-particle extinction and scattering (SPES) were used to evaluate changes in particle size, surface charge, and number concentration. Protein corona formation was analysed by high-resolution automated electrophoresis. Digestive conditions significantly affected NPs colloidal stability, particularly during the gastric phase, promoting aggregation and changes in particle size distribution. NPs rapidly acquired a dynamic protein corona mainly composed of digestive enzymes, with composition varying across digestive compartments. These findings demonstrate that gastrointestinal digestion alters NP physicochemical properties. Further studies are needed to determine how these transformations influence intestinal uptake, barrier translocation, bioavailability, and ultimately their potential toxicological impact.
More Papers Like This
Influence of artificial digestion on characteristics and intestinal cellular effects of micro-, submicro- and nanoplastics
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers simulated human digestion to study how micro-, submicro-, and nanoplastics change as they pass through the stomach and intestines. They found that the digestive process altered the surface properties and size distribution of the plastic particles, potentially affecting how they interact with intestinal cells. The study suggests that the body's digestive environment may transform plastic particles in ways that influence their biological impact.
What if you eat nanoplastics? Simulating nanoplastics fate during gastrointestinal digestion
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers simulated what happens to nanoplastics as they pass through the human digestive system, from the mouth through the stomach and intestines. They found that digestive conditions significantly altered the size and surface properties of the particles, which could affect how readily they are absorbed into the body. The study provides important insights into how the gut environment transforms nanoplastics and may influence their potential health effects.
In vitro digestion of microplastics in human digestive system: Insights into particle morphological changes and chemical leaching
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers simulated human digestion on four common types of microplastics and found that stomach acid and digestive enzymes changed the particles' shape, surface texture, and caused them to release chemical additives. The study shows that microplastics are not inert once swallowed -- they are actively transformed in the gut, which could increase their ability to interact with intestinal tissues and release potentially harmful chemicals.
The potential effects of in vitro digestion on the physicochemical and biological characteristics of polystyrene nanoplastics
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers studied how the human digestive process changes the physical and biological properties of polystyrene nanoplastics. They found that digestive fluids altered the surface characteristics of the particles, potentially affecting how they interact with gut cells. The study suggests that the form of nanoplastics that actually reaches our intestines may behave differently than the pristine particles typically used in lab studies.
Aggregation kinetics of polystyrene nanoplastics in gastric environments: Effects of plastic properties, solution conditions, and gastric constituents
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers studied how polystyrene nanoplastics clump together (aggregate) inside simulated human stomach fluid under conditions mimicking fasting and different feeding states. They found that smaller particles aggregate faster, lower stomach pH accelerates clumping, and stomach proteins coat the plastic particles and dramatically change how they behave — findings that matter for understanding how nanoplastics travel through the human digestive system after ingestion.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.