Nanoplastics Linked to Antibiotic Resistance Spread
A recent study by a team of scientists from the Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST), Mohali, revealed that nanoplastics, especially those from single-use plastic bottles, contribute to the spread of antibiotic resistance, posing an unrecognized threat to public health.
- The study highlights that nanoplastics, along with microorganisms, coexist in various environments, including the human gut, where they can influence the gut microbiome.
- The researchers focused on Lactobacillus acidophilus, a beneficial bacterium in the human gut, to examine how nanoplastics might facilitate the transfer of antibiotic-resistant genes.
- Using polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottle-derived nanoplastics (PBNPs), the study simulated environmental ....

