We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Effect of microplastics on antibiotic resistome risk in composting
Summary
Researchers examined how polypropylene microplastics affect antibiotic resistance gene levels during composting of laying hen manure. The study found that while microplastics increased compost temperature, they did not significantly change the overall composition or risk score of antibiotic resistance genes, though they did influence which bacterial communities colonized the microplastic surfaces versus the surrounding manure.
Microplastics are a growing concern worldwide because of their impact on the environment and human health. Composting is an effective method for managing antibiotic resistome risk in organic waste, yet the effects of microplastics on antibiotic resistome risk in composting are not well understood. In this study of laying hen manure, the microplastic polypropylene increased the temperature of the compost but did not significantly affect the total composition, abundance and risk score of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) during composting. The dominant phyla on microplastics and manure were Actinobacteria, Firmicutes and Proteobacteria. Escherichia (bin.70), Oceanobacillus (bin.85) and Mycobacterium (bin.79) were the main ARG hosts. Among them, the abundance of the ARG host Mycobacterium (bin.79) was significantly higher in microplastics than in manure. Furthermore, ARG transfer occurred between the ARG host Mycobacterium (bin.79) and other microorganisms on microplastics and manure. These findings indicate that while microplastics may not strongly affect the overall antibiotic resistome risk during composting, they increase the likelihood of horizontal gene transfer in specific ARG hosts. This underscores the critical need to control both microplastic and resistance contamination.
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
Different effects of bio/non-degradable microplastics on sewage sludge compost performance: Focusing on antibiotic resistance genes, virulence factors and key metabolic functions
Researchers compared how biodegradable and conventional microplastics affect antibiotic resistance genes and microbial communities during sewage sludge composting. They found that both types of microplastics increased the abundance of antibiotic resistance genes, but non-biodegradable polypropylene had a stronger effect on promoting harmful virulence factors. The study raises concerns that microplastic contamination in composted sludge could spread antibiotic resistance when applied to agricultural land.
Microplastics exacerbate antibiotic resistance by regulating microbial and functional gene dynamics in sludge and food waste composting
Researchers analyzed the impact of polyethylene, polypropylene, and mixed PE+PP microplastics on antibiotic resistance gene propagation during sewage sludge and food waste composting. Microplastics significantly increased ARG abundance — with PE showing the highest enrichment at 2.06 log-fold — by altering microbial community dynamics and promoting horizontal gene transfer through mobile genetic elements.
Soil plastispheres as hotspots of antibiotic resistance genes and potential pathogens
Researchers investigated microbial communities and antibiotic resistance genes on microplastic surfaces (the plastisphere) in soil environments. They found that plastispheres harbor enriched levels of potential pathogens and antibiotic resistance genes compared to surrounding soil, and that adding manure or increasing temperature and moisture further amplified these concerning microbial communities.
Incomplete degradation of aromatic–aliphatic copolymer leads to proliferation of microplastics and antibiotic resistance genes
This study found that incomplete composting of biodegradable aromatic-aliphatic copolymer plastics releases microplastic fragments and alters microbial community composition in compost, raising questions about whether biodegradable plastics are adequately treated in standard composting conditions.
Metagenomic analysis of effects of oxytetracycline and copper on antibiotic resistance genes and associated pathogenic hosts in swine manure compost
Metagenomic analysis of swine manure compost showed that antibiotics and copper promoted antibiotic resistance genes and their potential transfer to human pathogens. This research is not directly about microplastics but is relevant because microplastics in sewage sludge and manure also carry and disseminate antibiotic resistance genes.