Characterization of antibiotic resistance genes in representative organic solid wastes: Food waste-recycling wastewater, manure, and sewage sludge

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>In this research, the distribution of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) was characterized in representative organic solid waste (OSW) in Korea: food waste-recycling wastewater (FRW), manure, and sewage sludge. The amounts of total ARG (gene copies/16S rRNA gene copies) was greatest in manure followed by sewage sludge and FRW. Interestingly, there were significantly different patterns in the diversity and mechanisms of ARGs. For example, a significant proportion of ARGs were tetracycline resistant genes in all the OSW (40.4–78.2%). β-lactam antibiotics resistant genes were higher in the FRW samples than in other types of OSW but sulfonamides resistant genes represented the greatest proportion in sludge. Regarding the characteristics of antibiotic resistance mechanisms, there was a relatively higher proportion of the ribosomal protection mechanism to tetracycline observed in the FRW and manure samples. However, tetracycline resistant genes with direct interaction were relatively higher in the sewage sludge samples. <I>sul</I>1 was the dominant subtype in all the OSW types and detection of <I>erm</I>B was observed although there was no <I>erm</I>C detected in sewage sludge. There were significant correlations between the occurrences of ARG subtypes: <I>tet</I>B and <I>tet</I>G in all OSW (<I>P</I> <0.01); <I>tet</I>E and <I>tet</I>Q only in sludge (<I>P</I> <0.01). The Class 1 integron-integrase gene (<I>intI</I>1) was significantly correlated with total ARGs only in manure and sludge (<I>P</I> <0.05), revealing potential horizontal gene transfer in these OSW.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> Total relative amount of ARGs were highest in the manure, followed by sludge, and FRW. </LI> <LI> Diversity and mechanisms of ARGs were significantly different between OSWs. </LI> <LI> Sulfonamides resistant genes represented the greatest proportion in sludge. </LI> <LI> The ribosomal protection mechanism to tetracycline was dominant in FRW and manure. </LI> <LI> Total ARGs and <I>intI</I>1 were positively correlated in manure and sludge, but not in FRW. </LI> </UL> </P> <P><B>Graphical abstract</B></P> <P>[DISPLAY OMISSION]</P>