We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Quantitative tracking of the transformation of micro- and nanoplastics in simulated human body fluid
AI summary Read the abstract
Scientists developed a new method to track how micro- and nanoplastics transform as they pass through simulated human digestive fluids. Using advanced chemical analysis, they found that only a small fraction of microplastics (less than 2.1 percent) released secondary nanoparticles during digestion, suggesting this particular route of nanoparticle exposure may pose a relatively low health risk. The method provides a reliable tool for future studies assessing how plastics break down inside the body.
Micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) are widespread in the environment and food, posing ingestion risks through various pathways. However, their transformation in human body fluids (SBFs), especially the formation of secondary nanoparticles (NPs), is not well understood due to inadequate quantification methods. This study proposed a robust method for quantifying eight common MNPs using pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) for pretreatment and pyrolysis gas chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (Py-GC-QTOF-MS) for analysis. The method demonstrated high performance with recoveries over 90.9 % and a detection limit down to 0.01 mg/L. Most sample matrices did not interfere with MNP quantification, though poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) and polyethylene required background noise deduction. High recoveries in SBFs (>79.0 %) further confirmed the practicality of this method. Utilizing this method, it was found that only a few MPs were able to release secondary NPs within the simulated digestive system, with the maximum proportion of released NPs less than 2.1 %, suggesting a negligible health risk from secondary NPs. Besides, ester structure was found not to promote the formation of secondary NPs but did affect surface morphology and functional groups to a certain extent. We anticipate that this work will open opportunities for the health risk assessment of MNPs.
More Papers Like This
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.
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.
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.
Microplastics in our diet: complementary in vitro gut and epithelium models to understand their fate in the human digestive tract.
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers used complementary in vitro gut models to study how microplastics behave during human digestion, finding that digestive conditions alter microplastic surface properties and their interactions with gut cells. The work advances understanding of how ingested microplastics may affect the human digestive system.
Deciphering the influence of physicochemical and microbial parameters of the human digestive tract on orally-ingested microplastics using in vitro gut models
AI summary Read the abstract
Scientists used lab-made models of the human gut (mimicking stomach acid, gut bacteria, and digestive juices) to study what happens to microplastics after we swallow them. They found that conditions in our digestive system, like acidity and the bacteria living in our gut, can actually change the microplastics themselves, potentially affecting how harmful they are and how easily they might be absorbed into our bodies. This matters because it suggests that what happens inside your gut could influence whether the plastic particles you eat or drink pose more or less risk to your health.
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.