Wearing plastic products releases small to almost invisible plastic particles, which could affect human health when consumed or breathed. To make these particles biodegradable, researchers have created plastic from plant starch instead of oil. Initial study published in ACS ‘ Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry It shows how animals consumed by particles from this alternative material have developed health problems such as liver damage and hose microbiomes.
“Bio -gradual starch plastic may not be as safe and promote health as originally assumed,” says Yongfeng Deng, an appropriate author of the study.
Microplasty (plastic pieces wide than 5 millimeters) enter human bodies through contaminated water supplies, foods and drinks – and even IV infusions. Scientists have linked plastic particles in the bloodstream and tissues with different health risks. For example, the study found that people with inflammatory bowel disease have more microplastics in their feces. Biodegradable plastic is presented as a safer, more environmentally friendly alternative to traditional oil -based plastic. One of the most common species comes from starch, carbohydrates found in potatoes, rice and wheat. However, there is a lack of information on how biodegradable starch -based plastic affects the body. A team of researchers led by Deng solved this question by exploring these effects in animal tests.
Researchers compared three five -mice groups: one group consuming normal chow and two groups consuming food infused with starch -based microplastics. Doses (low and high) have also been calculated by scaly from what is expected to consume the average man a day. They fed mice for 3 months and then estimated organic tissues, metabolic functions and the variety of gut microbiota. Mice exposed to starch -based plastic particles:
- More damaged organs, including liver and ovaries, with more pronounced impairment in a high -dose group. However, mice that eat normal chow showed the normal biopsy of organic tissue.
- Changed glucose control, including significant abnormality in triglycerides (type of fat) and disorder in molecular biomarkers associated with glucose and lipid metabolism, compared to mice that fed a normal cup.
- Disretched genetic pathways and specific imbalances of gut microbiot, for which researchers suggest that they could change the circadian rhythm animals consuming microplastics.
“Long -term exposure to starch -based microplastics can lead to a wide range of health effects on health, especially disturbing circadian rhythms and disturbing glucose and lipid metabolism,” Deng says. However, researchers admit that, since this is one of the first studies that examined the effects of consuming starch -based microplastics, further research is needed to understand how these biodegradable particles fall apart in the body.
Authors recognize funding from the Chinese Natural Sciences Foundation, Jiangsu Province Young Social and Technology Support Program, Common Department and School Fund, Start-up Fund and Zhishan Young Scholars Fund from the University of Southeast by Basic Research Funds for Central University.
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