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Updated: May 2, 2026

Isolation of Native Soil Microorganisms with Potential for Breaking Down Biodegradable Plastic Mulch Films Used in Agriculture
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[Not all dietary supplements are biodegradable]

Susanne Eiholm1

  • 1Patologiafdelingen, Roskilde Sygehus, Køgevej 7-13, 4000 Roskilde. seh@regionsjaelland.dk

Ugeskrift for Laeger
|March 18, 2014
PubMed

Insights

A patient passed non-biodegradable fish oil capsules in his stool. These medical capsules were mistaken for a medical anomaly during examination.

Area of Science:

  • Gastroenterology
  • Pathology
  • Materials Science

Background:

  • A 65-year-old male patient presented with the incidental finding of rounded elements in his feces.
  • Initial investigations for parasitic infections were negative, prompting further examination.

Observation:

  • A pathological examination of a fecal specimen revealed a 12 mm, thin-walled, hollow, non-elastic, rounded structure.
  • The material was classified as non-biological, suggesting an exogenous origin.

Findings:

  • The structure was identified as a likely undegraded capsule, possibly containing medication, dietary supplements, or oil.
  • The patient reported recent consumption of fish oil capsules, which appeared to be non-biodegradable.

Implications:

  • This case highlights the potential for non-biodegradable capsules to pass through the gastrointestinal tract intact.
  • It underscores the importance of considering exogenous materials in differential diagnoses for unusual fecal findings.
  • Further research into capsule biodegradability in the gastrointestinal environment may be warranted.

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