Demarquoy J, Othman H. Eco-corona: A new frontier in understanding micro- and nanoplastic-gut interactions. World J Methodol 2026; 16(3): 111485 [DOI: 10.5662/wjm.v16.i3.111485]
Corresponding Author of This Article
Jean Demarquoy, PhD, Professor, Université de Bourgogne, Institut Agro-INRAe, 6 Blvd Gabriel, Dijon 21000, France. jean.demarquoy@u-bourgogne.fr
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Toxicology
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Demarquoy J, Othman H. Eco-corona: A new frontier in understanding micro- and nanoplastic-gut interactions. World J Methodol 2026; 16(3): 111485 [DOI: 10.5662/wjm.v16.i3.111485]
World J Methodol. Sep 20, 2026; 16(3): 111485 Published online Sep 20, 2026. doi: 10.5662/wjm.v16.i3.111485
Eco-corona: A new frontier in understanding micro- and nanoplastic-gut interactions
Jean Demarquoy, Haifa Othman
Jean Demarquoy, Université de Bourgogne, Institut Agro-INRAe, Dijon 21000, France
Haifa Othman, Université de Bourgogne, Institut Agro-INRAe, Unité Mixte de Recherche Procédés Alimentaires et Microbioogiques, Dijon 21000, France
Author contributions: Demarquoy J and Othman H authors contributed to the information gathering, manuscript writing, figure creation, and revision of the document.
AI contribution statement: Grammarly was used for language polishing only. No other AI tools were employed, and no AI-generated content, data analysis, or images were included. All work was done independently by the authors.
Conflict-of-interest statement: All the authors report no relevant conflicts of interest for this.
Corresponding author: Jean Demarquoy, PhD, Professor, Université de Bourgogne, Institut Agro-INRAe, 6 Blvd Gabriel, Dijon 21000, France. jean.demarquoy@u-bourgogne.fr
Received: July 1, 2025 Revised: August 4, 2025 Accepted: November 26, 2025 Published online: September 20, 2026 Processing time: 374 Days and 21.1 Hours
Abstract
Plastics released into natural environments undergo complex transformations, ending in the spontaneous formation of an “eco-corona”, a dynamic layer of adsorbed organic molecules, biomolecules, and microorganisms. This eco-corona profoundly alters the physicochemical identity of micro- and nanoplastics, modulating their environmental fate, pollutant adsorption, cellular uptake, and toxicity. Emerging evidence shows that eco-corona-coated plastics can act as vectors for environmental pollutants and microbial pathogens, raising significant concerns for ecosystems and human health, particularly in the gastrointestinal tract. Eco-corona dynamics influence colloidal stability, pollutant vectorization, immune responses, and interactions with the gut microbiota, potentially contributing to barrier dysfunction, inflammation, and microbiota dysbiosis. However, major knowledge gaps persist regarding the real-world composition and evolution of eco-coronas, their interplay with biological coronas, and their long-term impacts on health. This mini review synthesizes current insights into eco-corona formation, its modulation of micro- and nanoplastic behavior and toxicity, and highlights critical research priorities to better understand and mitigate the emerging risks at the interface between plastic pollution and gastroenterology.
Core Tip: Eco-coronas form spontaneously on micro- and nanoplastics in natural environments, giving them new bioactive surfaces that influence their interactions with living systems. By modifying the behavior of plastics in the gut, influencing microbial composition, immune responses, and barrier integrity, eco-coronas appear as a critical yet insufficiently explored factor in evaluating the health risks associated with plastic ingestion. Understanding these transformations is key to advancing both environmental and gastrointestinal toxicology.
