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Distribution and major driving elements of antibiotic resistance genes in the soil-vegetable system under microplastic stress
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Researchers investigated how microplastic contamination in agricultural soil affects the distribution and spread of antibiotic resistance genes through the soil-vegetable system. The study found that microplastic treatment promoted the enrichment of antibiotic resistance genes and mobile genetic elements in lettuce tissues, with higher polyethylene concentrations driving the spread of sulfonamide resistance genes from roots to leaves, suggesting microplastics may facilitate antibiotic resistance entering the food chain.
Microplastics (MPs) and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) are both enriched in soil-vegetable systems as a consequence of the prolonged use of agricultural mulches. MPs can form unique bacterial communities and provide potential hosts for ARGs. Therefore, MPs stress may promote the spread of ARGs from soil to crops. Increasing ARGs pollution in soil-vegetable system. In our research, we investigated the distribution and major driving elements of antibiotic resistance genes in the soil-vegetable system under microplastic stress. The results showed that MPs treatment decreased the relative abundance of ARGs in non-rhizosphere soil. High concentrations of MPs promoted the enrichment of tetracycline antibiotic resistance genes in rhizosphere soil. MPs treatment promoted the enrichment of ARGs and mobile genetic elements (MGEs) in lettuce tissues, and the overall abundance of ARGs in root after 0.5 %, 1 %, and 2 % (w/w, dry weight) polyethylene (PE) administration was considerably higher compared to that in the untreated group (p < 0.05). At the same time, high PE concentrations promoted the spread of sulfa ARGs from root to leaf. MPs also impacted the bacterial communities in the soil-plant system, and the changes in ARGs as well as MGEs in each part of the soil-vegetable system were significantly correlated with the bacterial diversity index (p < 0.05). Correlation analysis and network analysis showed that bacterial communities and MGEs were the main drivers of ARGs variation in soil-lettuce systems.
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Researchers investigated how polystyrene micro- and nanoplastics affect the spread of antibiotic resistance genes from soil into lettuce plants. They found that these plastic particles significantly increased the transfer of resistance genes by damaging root cell membranes and altering the microbial community in the soil around the roots. The study suggests that microplastic contamination in agricultural soils could make it easier for antibiotic-resistant bacteria to reach the food we eat.
The effects of different types of micro/nano-plastics on the spread of antibiotic resistance genes in soil-lettuce systems
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Tiny plastic particles in soil, especially microplastics rather than even smaller nanoplastics, can help antibiotic-resistant genes spread from soil into lettuce roots and leaves, according to new research. This matters because eating produce grown in plastic-contaminated soil could be a hidden pathway for antibiotic resistance to reach our dinner plates, making it harder for antibiotics to treat infections down the line. The type of plastic (like polyethylene, commonly found in bags and packaging) made a notable difference, suggesting not all plastic pollution poses equal risk.
Fate and abundance of antibiotic resistance genes on microplastics in facility vegetable soil
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This study found that microplastics in vegetable farm soils serve as hotspots for antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), potentially amplifying the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in agricultural environments. The co-presence of microplastics and ARGs in food-producing soils raises concerns about pathways for resistance genes to enter the food chain.
Characteristics of tetracycline antibiotic resistance gene enrichment and migration in soil–plant system
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This review examines how tetracycline antibiotic resistance genes spread through soil and into plants, with microplastics identified as one of the factors that accelerate this process. Resistance genes can transfer from soil bacteria into plant tissues through root absorption, ultimately accumulating in edible parts like leaves and fruits. This means microplastic-contaminated agricultural soil could help spread antibiotic resistance to humans through the food they eat.
Effect of polyethylene microplastics on antibiotic resistance genes: A comparison based on different soil types and plant types
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This study compared how polyethylene microplastics affect antibiotic resistance genes across different soil types and found that contaminated soils and the presence of certain plants influenced which resistance genes proliferated. The results suggest that microplastics in agricultural soil can help spread antibiotic resistance, which is a serious concern for human health because resistant bacteria can enter the food supply through crops.
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