“Lactic acid bacteria present in kimchi can bind to intestinal microplastics and facilitate their excretion from the human body.”

This study investigated the adsorption capacity of Leuconostoc mesenteroides CBA3656, a lactic acid bacterium isolated from kimchi, against polystyrene nanoplastics (PS-NPs). In animal experiments using a germ-free mouse model, mice administered strain CBA3656 showed more than a twofold increase in nanoplastics detected in feces compared to the control group, suggesting that the probiotic contributes to the excretion of nanoplastics by binding to them in the intestine.

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB), recognized as safe food-grade microorganisms, possess the capability to bioconjugate harmful substances. This study showed that LAB with a high intercalation capacity with MNPs in vitro were more effective in alleviating the toxicity caused by MNPs exposure, and their mitigation of MNPs toxicity extends beyond bio-binding to include repairing the damaged gut environment.

This study identified two probiotic strains, *Lacticaseibacillus paracasei DT66* and *Lactiplantibacillus plantarum DT88*, that exhibited high adsorption capacity on various common microplastics. In an animal model, mice treated with these probiotics demonstrated a 34% increase in polystyrene excretion rates and a 67% reduction in residual polystyrene particles within the intestine, with *Lactiplantibacillus plantarum DT88* also mitigating polystyrene-induced intestinal inflammation.

Teng et al. (2024) screened 784 bacterial strains for their ability to adsorb 0.1 µm polystyrene particles, and identified strains such as Lacticaseibacillus paracasei DT66 and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum DT88 with significant adsorption capabilities in vitro. Similarly, Shi et al. (2025) demonstrated that Lactobacillus plantarum strains with varying antioxidant capacities and affinities for PS-NPs could mitigate the toxicity induced by PS-MPs, and their binding affinity for PS-NPs decreased the body's PS-MPs content by increasing fecal excretion.

MPs can act as carriers for co-pollutants such as persistent organic pollutants (POPs), heavy metals, antibiotics, and pathogens. A critical unresolved issue is whether probiotics that bind to MPs could unintentionally promote the uptake of these sorbed hazardous substances or pathogenic microbes. Although existing evidence highlights the protective role of probiotics, further research is needed to determine if microbe-MP complexes alter the bioaccessibility of toxicants.

Researchers in South Korea found that a bacterium living in fermented kimchi, *Leuconostoc mesenteroides* CBA3656, can help flush out nanoplastics. In experiments with germ-free mice, those given CBA3656 excreted more than double the amount of plastic in their feces compared to the control group, indicating the bacteria bind to the plastic in the gut and escort it out of the body.

The World Institute of Kimchi announced that a lactic acid bacterium isolated from kimchi can help promote the removal of nanoplastics from the body by binding to them in the intestine. A research team investigated the adsorption capacity of *Leuconostoc mesenteroides* CBA3656 against polystyrene nanoplastics (PS-NPs), finding that this kimchi-derived strain can stably bind nanoplastics even in environments resembling the human intestinal tract, maintaining a 57% adsorption rate under simulated human intestinal conditions.

Emerging studies reveal that probiotic supplementation can counteract many adverse effects of microplastics (MPs) in vivo. In mouse models, co-administration of probiotics has been shown to mitigate MP-induced gut inflammation, restore microbiota diversity, and preserve intestinal barrier function. *In vivo* experiments demonstrated that mice treated with these probiotics exhibited a 34% increase in PS excretion rates and a 67% reduction in residual PS particles within the intestine.

Modulation of the gut microbiota through the use of probiotics may be beneficial in protecting against MNPs damages. Researchers suggest probiotics may counteract the toxic effects of MNPs on gut microbiota through several mechanisms, such as reinforcing the intestinal barrier, promoting the production of cytokines, chemokines, and IgA-secreting cells, normalizing microbial communities, producing beneficial fatty acids, modulating anti-inflammatory responses, and potentially influencing the brain-gut axis.

Probiotics, particularly *Lactobacillus* species, can latch onto microplastics via surface proteins, adsorbing them like tiny magnets, which prevents translocation, reduces inflammation, and eases the toxic load. A 2025 study on strains DT66/DT88 (found in fermented foods like kimchi) showed they boosted excretion by 34% and reduced retention by 67% in mice, while also easing inflammation.

Researchers have shown in lab tests and animal studies that certain bacteria, including *Lactiplantibacillus plantarum* and *Lacticaseibacillus paracasei* (found in fermented foods like yogurt and kimchi), may help reduce the plastic load in the gut. The results showed a 34% increase in microplastic excretion in the probiotic group and a 67% reduction in plastic particles remaining in intestinal tissue, along with reduced gut inflammation.

While probiotics in fermented foods may offer some protection by supporting gut health and reducing inflammation, there is no definitive scientific evidence proving they can remove or eliminate microplastics from the body. The claim that fermented foods can detoxify microplastics is considered misleading, and limiting exposure through reduced plastic use and a balanced diet remains the most effective strategy.