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Mohali – In a finding that highlights a potentially overlooked public health risk, scientists from the Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST), Mohali, have discovered that nanoplastics shed from single-use plastic bottles (SUPBs) could be contributing to the spread of antibiotic resistance.
The research, conducted by the autonomous institute under the Department of Science and Technology (DST) and published in the prestigious journal Nanoscale, points to a new pathway through which resistance genes can move between bacterial populations.
The INST team synthesized nanoplastic particles designed to closely mimic the pollutants generated when single-use plastic bottles and containers break down in the environment. These plastic-derived nanoplastics (PBNPs) were then studied for their effect on bacterial gene transfer.
Researchers demonstrated that these PBNPs can facilitate the transfer of genetic material, specifically antibiotic resistance genes, between different bacterial species through a process called Horizontal Gene Transfer (HGT). In their experiments, they observed the transfer of resistance genes from E. coli to Lactobacillus acidophilus, a common beneficial gut bacterium.
The study identified two key mechanisms by which PBNPs promote this transfer:
- Direct Transformation: Where bacteria directly take up genetic material from their surroundings.
- Outer Membrane Vesicle (OMV)-Induced Transfer Pathway: A significant finding where bacteria release tiny packages (OMVs) containing genetic material, including resistance genes. The nanoplastics appear to enhance this process, allowing these OMVs to act as effective vectors, spreading resistance even between unrelated bacterial species.
This research raises concerns that nanoplastics, ubiquitous pollutants resulting from plastic waste, could be inadvertently fueling the global antibiotic resistance crisis. By helping transfer resistance genes into beneficial bacteria like Lactobacillus acidophilus within the human gut, these genes could potentially be passed on to harmful pathogens, making infections harder to treat.
The findings underscore the complex and often hidden environmental impacts of plastic pollution, linking it directly to a critical human health challenge.
Disclaimer: This news article is based on the findings of a specific scientific study conducted by the Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST), Mohali, as reported by Daijiworld. The implications discussed are based on the study’s conclusions. Further research may be necessary to fully understand the extent and real-world impact of nanoplastics on antibiotic resistance spread in diverse environments and biological systems.
