11/09/2026
Could kimchi bacteria help the body deal with nanoplastics?
Interesting new research from the World Institute of Kimchi in South Korea has looked at a specific beneficial bacterium isolated from kimchi, Leuconostoc mesenteroides CBA3656.
Researchers found that the bacterium was able to physically bind to nanoplastic particles under laboratory conditions.
Even more interestingly, when tested in mice, the bacteria were associated with significantly increased excretion of nanoplastics in their faeces.
The theory is that certain bacteria may be able to attach themselves to plastic particles within the digestive tract, potentially helping carry them through the gut for elimination.
However, this does NOT mean that eating kimchi has been proven to remove microplastics from the human body. The research involved a specific bacterial strain and animal studies, and human research is still needed.
It is nevertheless a fascinating new area of research into fermented foods, our gut bacteria and the way microorganisms interact with environmental pollutants.
Scientific research:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41702519/
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2026.134234