Study Finds Probiotic Bacteria in Kimchi Helps Eliminate Microplastics from the Body
Scientists in South Korea have discovered that probiotic bacteria found in kimchi can help expel nanoplastic particles from the body through feces. Researchers at the World Institute of Kimchi identified a strain of lactic acid bacteria, Leuconostoc mesenteroides CBA3604, present in kimchi, which attracts plastic particles in the intestines. Laboratory tests demonstrated that this bacterium successfully bound to 57% of plastic particles and, when tested on mice, resulted in twice the amount of nanoplastic particles excreted compared to controls.
The new study by South Korean researchers highlights that probiotic bacteria contained in the traditional fermented dish kimchi may assist in removing harmful nanoplastic particles from the body. According to the World Institute of Kimchi scientists, this bacterium plays a dual role by strongly attracting plastic particles in the intestines and facilitating their removal through the stool.
Nanoplastics are plastic particles smaller than 1 micrometer that form as larger plastic waste gradually breaks down. These tiny particles enter the human body through food and drinking water. Due to their extremely small size, they can penetrate the intestinal barrier and accumulate in sensitive organs such as the kidneys and brain. Medical experts regard this as a serious public health concern.
As reported in the journal Biotechnology Reports, the research team led by Dr. Se-Hee Lee and Dr. Tae Woong Hwan conducted experiments on the role of Leuconostoc mesenteroides CBA3604 isolated from kimchi. The scientists created an artificial environment simulating the human intestine for their tests. Under normal conditions, the bacterium was able to bind to 87% of plastic particles; however, when simulating the complex human intestinal environment, the plastic-binding ability of a common bacterium dropped to 3%, whereas the kimchi-derived strain still captured 57% of plastic particles.
This demonstrated that the kimchi-origin bacteria can remain effectively active within the human digestive system. Following laboratory tests, the team administered the probiotic to germ-free mice. The results showed that mice receiving the kimchi probiotic excreted more than double the amount of nanoplastic particles in their feces compared to normal mice. According to lead author Dr. Se-Hee Lee, plastic pollution has become not only an environmental issue but also a significant threat to public health. Scientists believe that microbes found in traditional fermented foods like kimchi could become a novel biological tool to combat environmental pollutants and plastic particles inside the human body in the future.