We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Single and combined effects of antibiotics and nanoplastics from surgical masks and plastic bottles on pathogens
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers examined the combined effects of nanoplastics from surgical masks and plastic bottles with antibiotics on pathogens, finding that co-exposure created synergistic toxic effects and altered antimicrobial resistance patterns in bacteria.
Over the last decade, pollution of plastics and antibiotics has increased in its threat to the environment and human health. However, very limited information is available concerning impact of co-presence of plastics and antibiotics on environment and human health. Moreover, the potential ingestion and inhalation of nano(micro)plastics due to the disposable materials has dramatically increased. With the outbreak and spread of the COVID-19 in the world, disposable surgical masks and plastic bottles have been widely used by the public, and their rapid use and improper dispensing can cause to increase plastic pollution risk on human. However, impacts of co-presence of nano(micro)plastics and antibiotics on pathogens have yet been demonstrated. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the impact the individual and combined influences of nano-sized plastics (surgical mask and plastic bottles) and antibiotics (amoxicillin and spiramycin) towards the main susceptible bacterium (Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) by microbial activity, biofilm formation and their biochemical characteristics. The results showed that antimicrobial efficiencies of the tested antibiotics were reduced (approximately 10-98%) with the plastics. Moreover, the biochemical pathways of the microbial activity changed by the plastics entrance. Polymer structure and sorption play the role on the reduction in the inhibition of pathogens. In the meantime, the biofilm formation changed and characteristic of the extracellular polymeric substance with the co-presence of plastics and antibiotics mostly depended on the polymer structure, exposure time and sorption.
More Papers Like This
Co-occurence of antibiotics and micro(nano)plastics: a systematic review between 2016-2021
AI summary Read the abstract
This systematic review examines how microplastics and antibiotics interact in the environment. It finds that microplastics can absorb and carry antibiotics, potentially spreading antibiotic resistance and creating combined health risks that are greater than either pollutant alone.
Amplified toxic effects of nanoplastic composite norfloxacin on liver cells in mice: Mechanistic insights and multiscale evaluation
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers examined the combined toxic effects of nanoplastics and the antibiotic norfloxacin on mouse liver cells and found that co-exposure was significantly more harmful than either contaminant alone. The nanoplastics acted as carriers that increased antibiotic accumulation inside cells, amplifying oxidative damage and disrupting key protective enzymes. The study highlights that nanoplastics in the environment can worsen the toxicity of co-occurring pollutants like antibiotics.
Synergistic Pollution: Interactions Among Polyethylene, Surfactants, and Antibiotics in an Aquatic Environment
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers investigated synergistic pollution effects among polyethylene microplastics, surfactants, and antibiotics in aquatic systems, finding that co-presence enhanced the environmental persistence and bioavailability of antibiotics beyond what microplastics or surfactants caused individually.
A critical review of the adsorption-desorption characteristics of antibiotics on microplastics and their combined toxic effects
AI summary Read the abstract
This systematic review examines how microplastics absorb and release antibiotics in the environment, and the combined toxic effects of this interaction. When microplastics carrying antibiotics are ingested by living organisms, they may promote antibiotic resistance and cause greater harm than either pollutant alone, which is a growing concern for human health.
Multispectroscopic Characterization of Surface Interaction between Antibiotics and Micro(nano)-sized Plastics from Surgical Masks and Plastic Bottles
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers used multiple spectroscopic techniques to characterize how antibiotics interact with micro- and nano-sized plastic particles derived from surgical masks and plastic bottles. The study found that these plastic particles can adsorb antibiotics onto their surfaces, and the findings suggest this interaction could have implications for how contaminant-laden microplastics behave in living systems.
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.