Metagenomic Analysis of the Long-Term Synergistic Effects of Antibiotics on the Anaerobic Digestion of Cattle Manure

The conversion of cattle manure into biogas in anaerobic digestion (AD) processes has been gaining attention recent years. However, antibiotic consumption continues to increase worldwide, which is why antimicrobial concentrations can be expected rise and digestate. This study examined the long-term synergistic effects antimicrobials on manure. prevalence resistance genes (ARGs) changes microbial biodiversity under exposure tested drugs was investigated using a metagenomic approach. Methane production analyzed lab-scale bioreactors. Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, Actinobacteria were most abundant bacteria samples. domain Archaea represented mainly by methanogenic genera Methanothrix Methanosarcina order Methanomassiliicoccales. Exposure antibiotics inhibited growth development microorganisms substrate. Antibiotics also influenced abundance ARGs Seventeen types identified classified. Genes encoding tetracyclines, macrolide–lincosamide–streptogramin antibiotics, aminoglycosides, as well multi-drug genes, abundant. affected homoacetogenic methanogens, decreased CH4. antibiotic-induced decrease CH4 minimized presence highly drug-resistant AD