We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Investigation of Microplastics in Digestion System: Effect on Surface Microstructures and Probiotics
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers investigated how the digestive system affects five common microplastic types and found that digestion altered the surface microstructures of the particles while also negatively impacting probiotic bacteria, suggesting potential health risks from ingested microplastics.
There are increasingly attentions on the pollution from microplastics, especially the impact on human health. This work focuses on one hand the effect of digestion system on the surface microstructures of microplastics from the most popular sources such as polypropylene, polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polystyrene and polyvinyl chloride. On the other hand, how these microplastic affect probiotics in digestion system was also investigated to evaluate their toxicity on health. All the samples were treated by in vitro simulating digestion consisting of three phases: oral, gastric and intestinal. There were no physical differences observed by both Scanning Electronic Microscopy and Atomic Force Microscopy, and no significant chemical changes detected by both Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy after digestion treatment. The effect of these microplastics on tested strains were investigated by in vitro culture method and results showed that polystyrene microplastics could inhibit the growth of the Lactobacillus significantly. The results indicated that the digestion system could not decompose microplastics, even on the surfaces, since plastics are inert due to their low chemical reactivity, but the microplastics might lead to imbalance of intestinal microbiota.
More Papers Like This
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.
Effect of digestion system on microstructures of microplastics from biodegradable polyesters and impact of these microplastics on microorganisms in digestion system
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers systematically examined how the digestive system alters the surface microstructure and chemical composition of biodegradable microplastics (including PBAT and PLA products), and reciprocally how these bio-microplastics affect probiotics and other digestive microorganisms, finding that both virgin and UV-aged biodegradable plastics interact with the gut environment.
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.
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.