Science

Kimchi bacterium binds nanoplastics and boosts excretion in mice, study finds

ScienceDaily reports that researchers identified a kimchi-derived probiotic that attaches to nanoplastics and promotes their elimination.

Updated Sep 17, 2026 · 16:37 UTC1 reports

The short version

South Korean researchers found that the kimchi-derived bacterium Leuconostoc mesenteroides CBA3656 binds polystyrene nanoplastics under simulated gut conditions.[ScienceDaily]
In tests on germ-free mice, animals administered the bacterial strain excreted more than twice as many nanoplastics in their feces as controls.[ScienceDaily]
Scientists suggest the mechanism could offer a biological approach to limit gastrointestinal plastic accumulation, though human trials have not yet been conducted.[ScienceDaily]

The kimchi-derived bacterium Leuconostoc mesenteroides CBA3656 recorded an 87% adsorption efficiency for polystyrene nanoplastics under standard laboratory testing.[ScienceDaily]
Under simulated human intestinal conditions, strain CBA3656 retained a 57% adsorption rate, compared to 3% for the reference strain Latilactobacillus sakei CBA3608.[ScienceDaily]
In germ-free mice, receiving strain CBA3656 led to more than double the level of nanoplastics excreted in feces compared to untreated mice.[ScienceDaily]
The research was announced by the World Institute of Kimchi and published in the journal Bioresource Technology.[ScienceDaily]

Whether the probiotic strain can safely and effectively bind and eliminate nanoplastics in the human body remains unconfirmed.[ScienceDaily]

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.