Publication Details
Category Text Publication
Reference Category Journals
DOI 10.3390/microorganisms11020308
Licence creative commons licence
Title (Primary) Fate of horizontal-gene-transfer markers and beta-lactamase genes during thermophilic composting of human excreta
Author Werner, K.A.; Feyen, L.; Hübner, T.; Brüggemann, N.; Prost, K.; Grohmann, E.
Source Titel Microorganisms
Year 2023
Department UMB
Volume 11
Issue 2
Page From art. 308
Language englisch
Topic T7 Bioeconomy
Keywords ecological sanitation; compost; antibiotic resistance; horizontal gene transfer; qPCR
Abstract Thermophilic composting is a suitable treatment for the recycling of organic wastes for agriculture. However, using human excreta as feedstock for composting raises concerns about antibiotic resistances. We analyzed samples from the start and end of a thermophilic composting trial of human excreta, together with green cuttings and straw, with and without biochar. Beta-lactamase genes blaCTX-M, blaIMP, and blaTEM conferring resistance to broad-spectrum beta-lactam antibiotics, as well as horizontal gene transfer marker genes, intI1 and korB, were quantified using qPCR. We found low concentrations of the beta-lactamase genes in all samples, with non-significant mean decreases in blaCTX-M and blaTEM copy numbers and a mean increase in blaIMP copy numbers. The decrease in both intI1 and korB genes from start to end of composting indicated that thermophilic composting can decrease the horizontal spread of resistance genes. Thus, thermophilic composting can be a suitable treatment for the recycling of human excreta.
Persistent UFZ Identifier https://www.ufz.de/index.php?en=20939&ufzPublicationIdentifier=24683
Werner, K.A., Feyen, L., Hübner, T., Brüggemann, N., Prost, K., Grohmann, E. (2023):
Fate of horizontal-gene-transfer markers and beta-lactamase genes during thermophilic composting of human excreta
Microorganisms 11 (2), art. 308 10.3390/microorganisms11020308