We are excited to feature a recent study published in Lebensmittelchemie, titled “Physicochemical and Structural Characterization of Micro- and Nanoplastic Particle-Protein Complexes and Their Effects on Caco-2 Cells”. Conducted by researchers from Technische Universität Berlin, the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, and the Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing, this study investigates how micro- and nanoplastics (MNP) interact with proteins and affect intestinal cells.
Key Findings
- Protein Adsorption on MNP: The study examined how polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polylactic acid (PLA), and silicon dioxide (SD) nanoparticles interact with the model protein β-lactoglobulin (BLG).
- Adsorption Kinetics: SD particles showed rapid adsorption of BLG within minutes, while PET and PLA required 24 hours for protein binding.
- Protein Structural Changes: FTIR analysis revealed conformational changes in adsorbed proteins, suggesting that interaction with plastic surfaces alters protein structures.
- Limited Enzymatic Degradation: Even after enzymatic digestion, adsorbed proteins were only partially degraded, highlighting the strong protein-plastic interaction.
- Cell Viability Effects: Incubation with Caco-2 intestinal cells showed that neither the MNP nor the MNP-protein complexes significantly affected cell viability.
Why This Matters
The increasing presence of microplastics in food and the environment raises concerns about their impact on human health. This study provides crucial insights into the interaction between MNP and proteins, which could influence how these particles behave in the digestive system and beyond. Understanding these mechanisms is a first step toward assessing potential health risks and guiding future research on plastic contamination in food.
Access the Full Study
The full paper is available in Lebensmittelchemie and can be accessed here: https://doi.org/10.1002/lemi.202459214
Congratulations to the authors Jasmin Heilscher, Holger Sieg, Albert Braeuning, Andreas Thünemann, Sascha Rohn, and Helena Kieserling for their valuable contribution to understanding microplastics and human health!
Stay tuned for more updates on groundbreaking research from the POLIFACES network.