We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Effects comparison between the secondary nanoplastics released from biodegradable and conventional plastics on the transfer of antibiotic resistance genes between bacteria
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers found that biodegradable plastics like PLA and PHA release more secondary nanoplastics during degradation than conventional plastics, and these nanoplastics can promote the transfer of antibiotic resistance genes between bacteria.
Antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) have caused widespread concern because of their potential harm to environmental safety and human health. As substitutes for conventional plastics, the toxic effects of short-term degradation products of biodegradable plastics (polylactic acid (PLA) and polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA)) on bacteria and their impact on ARGs transfer were the focus of this study. After 60 days of degradation, more secondary nanoplastics were released from the biodegradable plastics PLA and PHA than that from the conventional plastics polystyrene (PS). All kinds of nanoplastics, no matter released from biodegradable plastics or conventional plastics, had no significant toxicity to bacteria. Nanoplastic particles from biodegradable plastics could significantly increase the transfer efficiency of ARGs. Although the amount of secondary nanoplastics produced by PHA microplastics was much higher than that of PLA, the transfer frequency after exposure to PLA was much higher, which may be due to the agglomeration of PHA nanoplastics caused by plastic instability in solution. After exposure to the 60 d PLA nanoplastics, the transfer frequency was the highest, which was approximately 28 times higher than that of control. The biodegradable nanoplastics significantly enhanced the expression of the outer membrane pore protein genes ompA and ompC, which could increase cell membrane permeability. The expression levels of trfAp and trbBp were increased by repressed major global regulatory genes korA, korB, and trbA, which eventually led to an increase in conjugative transfer frequency. This study provides important insights into the evaluation of the environmental and health risks caused by secondary nanoplastics released from biodegradable plastics.
More Papers Like This
Biodegradable microplastics and dissemination of antibiotic resistance genes: An undeniable risk associated with plastic additives
AI summary Read the abstract
This study found that biodegradable plastic microplastics made from polylactic acid (PLA) and their common additive DBP can promote the spread of antibiotic resistance genes between bacteria. The PLA microplastics and the plasticizer both increased the rate of horizontal gene transfer, a process where bacteria share resistance genes with each other. This challenges the assumption that biodegradable plastics are safer, showing they may contribute to the growing problem of antibiotic resistance.
Effects of Aged Biodegradable Plastics and Antibiotics on the Conjugative Transfer of Antibiotic Resistance Genes Between Bacteria
AI summary Read the abstract
This study examined how UV-aged microplastics from biodegradable PLA and conventional PET plastics, combined with the antibiotic sulfamethoxazole, affect the transfer of antibiotic resistance genes between bacteria. Researchers found that aged microplastics promoted bacterial conjugation more than pristine particles, with PLA microplastics showing stronger effects, suggesting that even biodegradable plastics may increase the spread of antibiotic resistance in the environment.
Nano- and Microplastics Aided by Extracellular Polymeric Substances Facilitate the Conjugative Transfer of Antibiotic Resistance Genes in Bacteria
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers found that nanoplastics and small microplastics significantly enhance the transfer of antibiotic resistance genes between bacteria by damaging cell membranes and stimulating extracellular polymeric substance production, raising concerns about plastic pollution driving antimicrobial resistance.
Plastisphere as a resistome incubator: Substrate biodegradability escalates compounded genetic risks
AI summary Read the abstract
Scientists found that microplastics, especially "biodegradable" ones, can become breeding grounds for bacteria carrying antibiotic resistance genes, sometimes even more than regular plastics. These bacteria also picked up traits that help them spread resistance and cause infections, suggesting that eco-friendly plastics may not be as harmless to health as assumed.
Determining Antimicrobial Resistance in the Plastisphere: Lower Risks of Nonbiodegradable vs Higher Risks of Biodegradable Microplastics
AI summary Read the abstract
This study found that biodegradable microplastics actually pose a higher risk for spreading antibiotic resistance than conventional non-biodegradable plastics. As biodegradable plastics break down, they appear to promote stress responses in bacteria that encourage the sharing of antibiotic resistance genes. This is concerning because biodegradable plastics are often marketed as safer alternatives.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.