Wastewater can become a true breeding ground for antibiotic-resistant bacteria—but natural compounds like curcumin from turmeric and emodin from rhubarb may help combat them.
اضافة اعلان
According to the journal Frontiers in Microbiology, the use of antibiotics can have unexpected consequences—not only for the human body but also for the environment. As is well known, some medications are excreted through urine and feces and end up in sewage systems, where they create ideal conditions for the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
A scientific team led by Dr. Liwen Hao from the University of Utah discovered multiple strains of bacteria resistant to various antibiotics in wastewater treatment plants in the state. While these microbes rarely cause illness in healthy individuals, they can transfer resistance genes to more dangerous pathogens such as E. coli (Escherichia coli).
Moreover, researchers found strains resistant even to colistin, an antibiotic considered a last-resort treatment for severe infections. One particular strain, labeled U2, had the highest number of resistance genes and did not respond to any of the antibiotics tested.
To fight these superbugs, scientists tested 11 natural compounds known for their antimicrobial properties. Curcumin (from turmeric) and emodin (from rhubarb) showed the most promising results—inhibiting cell growth, preventing biofilm formation, and reducing bacterial activity.
Dr. Hao stated:
“These substances could be integrated into environmentally friendly wastewater treatment methods.”
However, researchers stressed that further testing is essential before these compounds can be applied in real-world wastewater facilities. Additional studies are needed to evaluate interactions with other substances and to assess their impact on microbial communities.
— gazeta.ru
