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Effect of microplastics on antibiotic resistome risk in composting

Yiwen Yang1, Xiaoyue Tang2, Pengfei Zhang2

  • 1Key Laboratory of Feed Biotechnology of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Feed Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China; College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China.

Environmental Research
|June 27, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Microplastics in compost did not significantly alter overall antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). However, they increased horizontal gene transfer in specific ARG hosts, highlighting the need to control microplastic and resistance contamination.

Area of Science:

  • Environmental Science
  • Microbiology
  • Environmental Chemistry

Background:

  • Microplastics pose a global environmental and health risk.
  • Composting manages antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in organic waste.
  • The impact of microplastics on composting's antibiotic resistome risk is unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effects of microplastics on antibiotic resistome risk during laying hen manure composting.

Main Methods:

  • Composting laying hen manure with polypropylene microplastics.
  • Analyzing the composition, abundance, and risk score of ARGs.
  • Identifying dominant microbial phyla and ARG hosts.
  • Quantifying ARG transfer.

Main Results:

  • Polypropylene microplastics increased compost temperature but did not significantly alter overall ARG composition, abundance, or risk score.
  • Actinobacteria, Firmicutes, and Proteobacteria were dominant phyla.
  • Escherichia, Oceanobacillus, and Mycobacterium were key ARG hosts.
  • Mycobacterium showed higher abundance on microplastics than manure.
  • Horizontal gene transfer of ARGs was observed between ARG hosts on microplastics and manure.

Conclusions:

  • Microplastics may not significantly increase overall composting antibiotic resistome risk.
  • Microplastics can enhance horizontal gene transfer in specific ARG hosts.
  • Controlling both microplastic and antibiotic resistance contamination is crucial.
Keywords:
Antibiotic resistomeCompostingManureMicroplastic

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