Antibiotic resistance genes in anaerobic digestion: Unresolved challenges and potential solutions

• Published in: Bioresource technology Vol. 419; p. 132075
• Main Authors: Wang, Chunxiao, Yin, Xiaole, Xu, Xiaoqing, Wang, Dou, Wang, Yubo, Zhang, Tong
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01.03.2025
• Subjects: anaerobic digestion; Anaerobic digestion (AD); Anaerobiosis; Anti-Bacterial Agents - pharmacology; antibiotic resistance; antibiotic resistance genes; Antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB); Antibiotics resistance gene (ARG); Antimicrobial resistance (AMR); Bacteria - drug effects; Bacteria - genetics; Drug Resistance, Bacterial - genetics; Drug Resistance, Microbial - genetics; energy; Genes, Bacterial - genetics; Horizontal gene transfer (HGT); Mobile genetic elements (MGEs); public health; risk; Horizontal gene transfer (HGT); Anaerobic digestion (AD); Antimicrobial resistance (AMR); Antibiotics resistance gene (ARG); Mobile genetic elements (MGEs); Antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB)
• ISSN: 0960-8524; 1873-2976; 1873-2976
• DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2025.132075

[Display omitted] •Anaerobic digestion effect on ARGs and ARB dynamics was reviewed.•ARG detection methods can introduce bias when profiling ARGs and ARB dynamics.•ARGs may be enriched when exposed concurrently with other emergent pollutants.•Internal standards are critical in enhancing the reliability of AD resistome study. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) threatens public health, necessitating urgent efforts to mitigate the global impact of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). Anaerobic digestion (AD), known for volatile solid reduction and energy generation, also presents a feasible approach for the removal of ARGs. This review encapsulates the existing understanding of ARGs and antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) during the AD process, highlighting unresolved challenges pertaining to their detection and quantification. The questions raised and discussed include: Do current ARGs detection methods meet qualitative and quantitative requirements? How can we conduct risk assessments of ARGs? What happens to ARGs when they come into co-exposure with other emerging pollutants? How can the application of internal standards bolster the reliability of the AD resistome study? What are the potential future research directions that could enhance ARG elimination? Investigating these subjects will assist in shaping more efficient management strategies that employ AD for effective ARG control.