Changes in soil and rat gut microbial diversity after long-term exposure to the chiral fungicide epoxiconazole

In previous articles, it was found that epoxiconazole enantiomers can persist for a long time in the environment, causing severe environmental damage. Herein, we investigated alterations in the soil microbial community and rat gut microbiota after six weeks of treatment with rac-epoxiconazole or one of its enantiomers. The selected concentrations were 1, 2, and 6 times greater than the maximum residue limits (MRLs). The rat gut microbiota relative abundance in the feces significantly changed following exposure to rac-epoxiconazole or one of its enantiomers. At the phylum level, in the R,S-, S,R-epoxiconazole, and rac-treated groups, Firmicutes presented the greatest decrease in abundance; however, Spirochaetes presented the greatest increase in abundance in the rac- and S,R-epoxiconazole-treated groups. In response to R,S-epoxiconazole, Epsilonbacteraeota presented the greatest increase in abundance. In soil samples treated with epoxiconazole, the relative abundance of the soil bacterial community also changed. Proteobacteria presented the greatest decrease in abundance in the S,R- and rac-treated samples. However, Firmicutes presented the greatest increase in abundance. In the R,S-treated soil samples, the situation was the opposite. In general, prolonged exposure to epoxiconazole at high concentrations could initiate noticeable alterations in rat gut microbiota and soil microbial diversity. R,S-epoxiconazole had improved bioactivity and less toxic effects at relatively low concentrations. Therefore, we recommend using R,S-epoxiconazole at a relatively low concentration, which is better for environmental safety.