We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Impact of the In Vitro Human Digestive Environment on the Interaction Between Vitamin C and Microplastics
AI summary Read the abstract
This study examined how the simulated human digestive environment affects microplastic particle properties in vitro, finding that digestive conditions altered surface chemistry and size distribution of several polymer types. The results inform understanding of how ingested microplastics are modified during gastrointestinal transit.
Microplastics are present in the environment and living systems and bind with contaminants, proteins, and lipids. However, the interaction of vitamins with microplastics under in vitro conditions is unknown. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the interaction of vitamin C with microplastics obtained from food packages for simulated intestinal and gastric fluids. Sorption responses (kinetic and isotherm models) were examined using a batch technique with high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS). The results show that the sorption was achieved in 180 and 45 min for gastric and intestinal conditions. Vitamin C was adsorbed between 3 and 20% onto microplastics under in vitro digestive conditions. The sorption of vitamin C on microplastics conformed to the pseudo-second order (PSO) kinetic model. The isotherm models showed that sorption fitted the Temkin and Freundlich models.
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.
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.
The influence of digestive tract protein on cytotoxicity of polyvinyl chloride microplastics
AI summary Read the abstract
This study examined how human digestive enzymes change the properties of PVC microplastics as they pass through a simulated digestive tract. After digestion, the microplastics became more water-friendly and mobile in the body, and they caused greater damage to intestinal cells, including reduced cell survival, increased oxidative stress, and disrupted energy metabolism. These findings suggest that the digestion process itself may make microplastics more harmful to the human gut than previously assumed.
Impact of Digestion on Surface Microstructures of Microplastics
AI summary Read the abstract
This study examined how the digestive processes of organisms affect the surface structure of microplastics, finding that digestion caused notable changes to particle surfaces while not breaking down the particles. These surface changes could affect how microplastics adsorb other chemicals and interact with tissues after being ingested. Understanding how digestion alters microplastics is important for accurately assessing exposure risks from swallowing these particles.
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.