Antibiotics and antibiotic resistance gene dynamics in the composting of antibiotic fermentation waste - A review

Minmin Feng; Yuanwang Liu; Lie Yang; Zhaojun Li

doi:10.1016/j.biortech.2023.129861

Antibiotics and antibiotic resistance gene dynamics in the composting of antibiotic fermentation waste - A review

Bioresour Technol. 2023 Dec:390:129861. doi: 10.1016/j.biortech.2023.129861. Epub 2023 Oct 18.

Authors

Minmin Feng¹, Yuanwang Liu², Lie Yang³, Zhaojun Li⁴

Affiliations

¹ Hebei Key Laboratory of Heavy Metal Deep-Remediation in Water and Resource Reuse, School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Yanshan University, Qinhuangdao 066004, China.
² Hebei Key Laboratory of Heavy Metal Deep-Remediation in Water and Resource Reuse, School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Yanshan University, Qinhuangdao 066004, China. Electronic address: liuyuanwang@ysu.edu.cn.
³ Wuhan University of Technology, School of Resources & Environmental Engineering, Wuhan 430070, China.
⁴ State Key Laboratory of Efficient Utilization of Arid and Semi-arid Arable Land in Northern China, China-New Zealand Joint Laboratory for Soil Molecular Ecology, Institute of Agricultural Resources and Regional Planning, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China. Electronic address: lizhaojun@caas.cn.

PMID: 37863331
DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2023.129861

Abstract

Fate of antibiotics and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) during composting of antibiotic fermentation waste (AFW) is a major concern. This review article focuses on recent literature published on this subject. The key findings are that antibiotics can be removed effectively during AFW composting, with higher temperatures, appropriate bulking agents, and suitable pretreatments improving their degradation. ARGs dynamics during composting are related to bacteria and mobile genetic elements (MGEs). Higher temperatures, suitable bulking agents and an appropriate C/N ratio (30:1) lead to more efficient removal of ARGs/MGEs by shaping the bacterial composition. Keeping materials dry (moisture less than 30%) and maintaining pH stable around 7.5 after composting could inhibit the rebound of ARGs. Overall, safer utilization of AFW can be realized by optimizing composting conditions. However, further removal of antibiotics and ARGs at low levels, degradation mechanism of antibiotics, and spread mechanism of ARGs during AFW composting require further investigation.

Keywords: Abiotic factor; Bacterial composition; Biotic factor; Mobile genetic element.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Anti-Bacterial Agents* / pharmacology
Bacteria / genetics
Composting*
Drug Resistance, Microbial / genetics
Fermentation
Genes, Bacterial / genetics
Manure / microbiology

Substances

Anti-Bacterial Agents
Manure