We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Microplastics Interact with β-lactoglobulin: Implications for Protein Structure, Digestibility, and Allergenicity
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers studied how microplastics commonly released from baby bottles interact with the major milk allergen beta-lactoglobulin. The study found that polypropylene, polyethersulfone, and polyphenylsulfone microplastics altered the protein's structure, which may affect its digestibility and allergenic properties, raising potential concerns for infants with cow's milk allergy.
Microplastics are pervasive throughout the food system. Recent research indicates that millions of microplastics are released from baby bottles during infant formula preparation. In this context, microplastics are likely to interact with milk allergens, potentially affecting the structures and characteristics of allergens, which may pose risks to human health, particularly for infants with cow's milk allergy. This study analyzed the interaction between commonly used baby bottle microplastics (polypropylene, polyethersulfone, polyphenylsulfone) and the major milk allergen β-lactoglobulin using multi-spectroscopy techniques and molecular simulation. Furthermore, microplastics-mediated alterations in protein digestibility and allergenicity were evaluated through in vitro gastrointestinal digestion, peptidomics, ELISA, and a KU812 cell degranulation model. The results indicated that microplastics adsorbed β-lactoglobulin through nonpolar interactions, with the surface chemistry of microplastics determining the binding affinity. Microplastics induced the unfolding of β-lactoglobulin tertiary structure, and β-lactoglobulin mixed with microplastics resulted in reduced digestibility. Moreover, β-lactoglobulin that interacted with microplastics showed enhanced IgE binding capacity and a greater ability to elicit KU812 cell degranulation. This effect was especially pronounced with polyphenylsulfone@β-lactoglobulin, whose IgE binding capacity increased by 3.7%, while the release of β-hexosaminidase and histamine increased by 9.4% and 65.5%, respectively. Collectively, these findings provide novel insights into the interactions between microplastics from baby bottles and milk allergens, highlighting potential implications for cow's milk allergy management and broader health risks associated with microplastics exposure in infant nutrition.
More Papers Like This
Polypropylene micro- and nanoplastics affect the digestion of cow's milk proteins in infant model of gastric digestion
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers found that polypropylene micro- and nanoplastics, commonly released from baby bottles during heating, interfere with the digestion of milk proteins in a simulated infant stomach model. The plastic particles bound to milk proteins and changed how they were broken down by digestive enzymes, with the effect being stronger in the infant model than in the adult model. This is concerning because incomplete protein digestion in infants could affect nutrient absorption during a critical period of growth and development.
Microplastics-Induced Binding and Structural Changes in the Milk Proteins: α -Lactalbumin and β -Lactoglobulin
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers used multispectroscopic methods to show that PVC, PE, and PS microplastics bind strongly to the milk whey proteins α-lactalbumin and β-lactoglobulin under physiological conditions, altering their secondary structures and triggering amyloid fibril formation, with implications for how microplastics transferred to breast milk could affect protein function.
Detection of Microplastics in Human Breast Milk and Its Association with Changes in Human Milk Bacterial Microbiota
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers detected microplastics in nearly 39% of breast milk samples from 59 mothers, with polypropylene and polyethylene being the most common types found. The presence of microplastics was linked to changes in the bacterial makeup of breast milk, raising concerns about early-life microplastic exposure in infants during breastfeeding.
Ovalbumin interaction with polystyrene and polyethylene terephthalate microplastics alters its structural properties
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers investigated how polystyrene and polyethylene terephthalate microplastics interact with ovalbumin, a common egg protein, under different pH conditions. They found that the microplastics adsorbed the protein and altered its three-dimensional structure, with smaller particles and acidic conditions leading to stronger interactions. The study suggests that microplastic contamination in food could change the structural properties of dietary proteins, potentially affecting how they are digested.
Oral Exposure to Polypropylene Microplastics Exacerbates Cow’s Milk Allergy in a Murine Model by Skewing the DCs/T-Cell Response toward Th2 Polarization
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers demonstrated using a dendritic cell and T-cell co-culture system that polypropylene microplastic exposure enhances antigen uptake and skews T-cell differentiation toward the Th2 immune response, potentially worsening cow's milk allergy susceptibility in infants — highlighting food contamination with microplastics as a plausible driver of rising allergy prevalence.
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.