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First Evidence of the Effects of Polyethylene Terephthalate Microplastics on Ruminal Degradability and Gastro-Intestinal Digestibility of Mixed Hay
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Researchers provided the first evidence that polyethylene terephthalate microplastics can affect the digestive function of ruminant animals. Using an in vitro system simulating the ruminal and gastrointestinal tract, they found that PET microplastics at higher concentrations altered the degradability of hay feed. The study raises concerns about how microplastic contamination of livestock feed could impact animal nutrition and agricultural productivity.
Microplastics (MPs) raise environmental concerns. However, their effects on the ruminal-gastro-intestinal system have not yet been studied. This study aims to investigate the effects of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) MPs on the ability of the ruminal-gastro-intestinal system to degrade and digest mixed hay. Using a three-step in vitro ruminal-gastro-intestinal incubation system, PET MPs were introduced at concentrations of 0, 5, 10, and 15 g/L in ruminal and gastro-intestinal solutions. Ruminal fluid was collected from three 16-month-old Piedmontese bulls. The experiment was conducted on three mixed hays and was repeated three times, with triplicate incubations in each run. The results reveal that PET MPs reduced the degradability and digestibility of crude protein. Specifically, crude protein degradation was reduced by 9% at medium and 16% at high PET MP concentrations in the ruminal phase, while the crude protein digestibility of undegraded crude protein was reduced by 8% at the lowest PET MPs concentration in the gastro-intestinal tract. Additionally, PET MPs reduced the degradation of neutral detergent fiber at medium and high PET MP concentrations in the ruminal phase by 9% and 13%, respectively. These results highlight the risks of PET MPs contamination on ruminal-gastro-intestinal functions and underscore the urgent need to mitigate MPs contamination in the livestock sector.
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Researchers tested whether rumen microbes from cattle could break down common microplastics in a lab setting. They found modest degradation of low-density polyethylene and polyethylene terephthalate over 14 days, particularly with certain bacterial and fungal species. The study suggests that the rumen's microbial community may have limited but real potential to help reduce microplastic pollution in the livestock production chain.
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