Elimination of antibiotic resistance genes from excess activated sludge added for effective treatment of fruit and vegetable waste in a novel vermireactor

Wenjiao Li; Jiefeng Li; Sartaj Ahmad Bhat; Yongfen Wei; Zhiyi Deng; Fusheng Li

doi:10.1016/j.biortech.2021.124695

Elimination of antibiotic resistance genes from excess activated sludge added for effective treatment of fruit and vegetable waste in a novel vermireactor

Bioresour Technol. 2021 Apr:325:124695. doi: 10.1016/j.biortech.2021.124695. Epub 2021 Jan 11.

Authors

Wenjiao Li¹, Jiefeng Li², Sartaj Ahmad Bhat³, Yongfen Wei³, Zhiyi Deng⁴, Fusheng Li⁵

Affiliations

¹ Graduate School of Engineering, Gifu University, 1-1 Yanagido, Gifu 501-1193, Japan.
² Department of Architecture, Lu Liang University, Lishi, Shanxi 033000, China.
³ River Basin Research Center, Gifu University, 1-1 Yanagido, Gifu 501-1193, Japan.
⁴ College of Environment and Resources, Xiangtan University, Xiangtan 411105, China.
⁵ Graduate School of Engineering, Gifu University, 1-1 Yanagido, Gifu 501-1193, Japan; River Basin Research Center, Gifu University, 1-1 Yanagido, Gifu 501-1193, Japan; College of Environment and Resources, Xiangtan University, Xiangtan 411105, China. Electronic address: lifs@gifu-u.ac.jp.

PMID: 33465648
DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2021.124695

Abstract

Elimination of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) from excess activated sludge (EAS) mixed for effective treatment of different fruit and vegetable waste (FVW) by using a novel vermireactor consisted of substrate and bed compartments was investigated. ARGs (tet G, tet M and sul 1) and mobile genetic element gene (intl 1) were targeted and, through quantitative analysis of their abundances in both the compartments and the fresh cast of earthworms, significant reductions in substrate compartments were confirmed for the treatments for FVW added with EAS and EAS alone even if the reduction extents differed among the types of FVW. Apparent reductions were not found in the bed compartment where the final products accumulated. For the fresh cast, the relative abundances of ARGs and intl 1 against to the total bacterial 16S rDNA decreased markedly. The present study provided an insight for proper controlling of ARGs during vermicomposting of FVW and EAS.

Keywords: Antibiotic resistance genes; Earthworm; Excess activated sludge; Fruit and vegetable waste; Vermicomposting.

MeSH terms

Animals
Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology
Drug Resistance, Microbial / genetics
Fruit
Genes, Bacterial / genetics
Sewage*
Vegetables*
Wastewater

Substances

Anti-Bacterial Agents
Sewage
Waste Water