(NewsNation) — A new supplement made from inactive bacteria may help remove microplastics from the body before they can be absorbed into cells, according to early research. The supplement, called Qi601, is made from a strain of bacteria that has been heat-killed, creating what researchers call a “postbiotic.” Its rough surface appears to act like a magnet for tiny plastic particles, trapping them so they can pass through the body rather than being absorbed. Drinking from a plastic water bottle? Experts warn of microplastics Researchers tested the supplement in laboratory models of the human gut lining and later in a small human study in which participants chewed gum, a known source of microplastic fragments. In the study, the supplement successfully bound to the plastic particles in the mouth. Research links microplastics to health concerns Microplastics, which are plastic particles smaller than 5 millimeters, have been detected throughout the human body, including in blood and brain tissue. Some studies have linked microplastics found in arterial plaque to a higher risk of heart attack and stroke, while other research has found elevated levels in the brains of people with Alzheimer’s disease. Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Quorum Innovations has been invited to participate in the HHS STOMP initiative in Washington, D.C., recognizing the company’s growing role as a subject matter expert (SME) on microplastics and human health. This invitation places Quorum alongside federal leadership and key stakeholders working to better understand and address the impact of microplastic exposure. As a physician-scientist–founded organization with DARPA-validated barrier technologies and early human evidence demonstrating microplastic binding, Quorum is positioned to contribute both scientific insight and practical solutions. Their involvement reflects a broader shift toward proactive, prevention-focused strategies in public health. At the forefront of this national effort, Quorum will help shape the dialogue and direction of microplastics mitigation in the United States.   Quorum will also provide regular updates on the evolving direction and developments from the HHS STOMP program—stay tuned.

A five-participant interventional crossover human study demonstrated that Qi601 physically binds with microplastic particles released during gum chewing under microscopic analysis. Follow-on laboratory digestion simulations exposing Qi601-bound nanoplastics to sequential saliva, gastric, intestinal, and colonic fluids showed ~98% retention of bound nanoplastics compared with untreated controls, supporting stability of the Qi601 binding matrix through modeled gastrointestinal digestion.