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Phthalates released from microplastics inhibit microbial metabolic activity and induce different effects on

Zehua Yan1, Shenghu Zhang2, Yonggang Zhao3

  • 1State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210023, China.

Environmental Pollution (Barking, Essex : 1987)
|August 5, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Gut microbiota accelerates the release of phthalates (PAEs) from microplastics (MPs) in the intestine. MPs alter gut microbiota and reduce metabolic activity, with specific bacteria indicating exposure.

Area of Science:

  • Environmental Science
  • Microbiology
  • Toxicology

Background:

  • The human intestine accumulates microplastics (MPs), facilitating the release of associated additives.
  • The kinetics, influencing factors, and gut microbiota effects of MP additive release are poorly understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the influence of gut microbiota on phthalate (PAE) release from MPs.
  • To assess the impact of MPs and released PAEs on intestinal luminal and mucosal microbiota.
  • To determine the effects on intestinal microbial metabolic activity.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized a mucosal-simulator of the human intestinal microbial ecosystem (M-SHIME).
  • Analyzed the release of dominant PAEs (DEHP, DBP, DMP) from MPs.
  • Evaluated alterations in luminal and mucosal microbiota composition and function.
  • Measured short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production as an indicator of metabolic activity.

Main Results:

  • Gut microbiota significantly accelerated PAE release, reducing maximum release time from 7 to 2 days.
  • Microplastics induced differential effects on luminal versus mucosal microbiota, with luminal microbiota being more susceptible to PAE leaching.
  • MP exposure, primarily via PAE release, inhibited intestinal flora metabolic activity, indicated by reduced SCFA production.
  • Acidaminococcus and Morganella were identified as potential biomarkers for MP and additive exposure.

Conclusions:

  • Gut microbiota plays a crucial role in accelerating PAE release from microplastics within the intestinal environment.
  • Microplastics and their leached additives exert distinct and significant impacts on the gut microbial ecosystem, affecting both composition and function.
  • Specific bacterial species can serve as indicators of intestinal microplastic and additive exposure, aiding in risk assessment.
Keywords:
AdditivesIntestinal microbiotaKinetic releaseMetabolic inhibitionMicroplastics

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