The food and beverage industry is facing a concerning issue with the improper disposal of plastic, including plastic used in packaging. This not only affects the environment but also poses a risk to human health. Recent studies have revealed the presence of plastic in human blood, including PET plastic from drink bottles, packaged food, and plastic bags. The breakdown of mismanaged plastics into microplastics, sub-micron plastics, and nanoplastic particles allows them to enter the food system, leading to potential health risks.
Research conducted by the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences (ACES) at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign has shed light on the connection between micro- and nanoplastics present in agricultural soil, which is heavily reliant on plastics, and antibiotic resistant bacteria. This poses a serious threat as it provides a direct pathway for these resistant bacteria to enter our food supply.
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR), a global threat to human health, is caused by the overuse or misuse of antimicrobial medicines, such as antibiotics. The World Health Organization (WHO) recognizes AMR as one of the top 10 public health threats, contributing to nearly five million deaths annually.
The link between microplastics and antibiotic resistance lies in the fact that while plastic itself is not highly toxic, it acts as a carrier for pathogenic and antimicrobial resistant bacteria in the food chain. Plastic’s absorbent nature allows chemical substances and microscopic organisms to adhere to its surface, impeding the usual movement of these substances through soil. Moreover, bacteria and microorganisms present in soil form biofilms on microplastics, creating a hub for the transfer of genes and pollutants.
When bacteria encounter new chemical substances on microplastics, they activate stress response genes, allowing them to resist other chemicals, including antibiotics. This transfer of genes between bacteria can occur through a process called horizontal gene transfer. Nanoplastics, which can enter bacterial cells, also induce stress in bacteria, leading to similar outcomes of increased resistance and virulence.
The research conducted in this field is still in its initial phase, and further studies may uncover additional factors. While gene transfer on microplastics has been observed in other environments like water, it remains hypothetical in agricultural soil, and more research is needed to confirm its occurrence. The researchers highlight the importance of investigating soil, as it could potentially reveal even more severe consequences than in water.
Deeper insights into micro-nano plastics contamination and agroecosystems, along with appropriate measures to control plastic usage in agriculture, are crucial. This will contribute to addressing food and beverage industry trends, food manufacturing trends, food processing technology, food distribution trends, food and drink industry innovation, food and drink sustainability, food and drink regulations, food and drink packaging, food and drink marketing, and food and drink consumer trends.
Source: Pathogens. Published 29 June 2023. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens12070888. Authors: Jayashree Nath, Jayita De, Shantanu Sur, and Pratik Banerjee.
