Microplastic particle (MP)

Microplastic particles (MPs) are synthetic polymer contaminants that accumulate in the gastrointestinal tract, leading to intestinal barrier dysfunction, oxidative stress, and inflammatory responses (Luo et al., 2021, Journal of Hazardous Materials). In the context of probiotic-mediated removal, these particles act as the target for sequestration by specific bacterial strains like Lactobacillus plantarum CCFM8610. The mechanism involves the co-aggregation of MPs with bacterial cell-surface components, such as proteins and extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), which physically trap the particles (Hamad et al., 2023, Microorganisms). This interaction prevents the microplastics from adhering to or penetrating the intestinal mucosa, thereby facilitating their clearance through fecal excretion. By reducing the bioavailability and residence time of MPs in the gut, probiotics serve as a biotherapeutic approach to mitigate the systemic toxicity and dysbiosis associated with chronic microplastic ingestion (Deng et al., 2017, Scientific Reports).

Other names

MicroplasticsNanoplasticsGastrointestinal microplasticsSynthetic polymer particlesMPs

Probiotic bacterial cell-surface co-aggregation and sequestration leading to enhanced fecal excretion and reduced intestinal absorption.