Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 23, 2026

Population and Single-Cell Analysis of Antibiotic Persistence in Escherichia coli
Published on: March 24, 2023
Toxicity of herbicides on Escherichia coli growth
R G Botelho1, C M Froes, J B Santos
1Centro de Energia Nuclear na Agricultura, Universidade de São Paulo, Piracicaba, Brazil. rbotelhoccena@usp.br
Abstract:
Agriculture uses a huge variety and quantity of chemicals. If, on one hand, the goal is to increase productivity, on the other hand these products contaminate aquatic environments. Among these products, herbicides deserve greater attention in relation to contamination of aquatic environments due to their extensive use to weed control. This study was carried out because the effects of these molecules on aquatic microorganisms such as Escherichia coli, is still unclear. Using microdilution plate assays, Escherichia coli were exposed to various commercial formulations of herbicides widely used in Brazil. The herbicide paraquat was the only one able to prevent the growth of Escherichia coli and is characterized as bacteriostatic.
Related Concept Videos
Bacterial Gastroenteritis
Stringent Response in E. coli
Bacterial Toxins
