Sat Aug 30 23:30:00 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary of the text, followed by a rewritten news article:
**Summary:**
A new study by researchers at IISER Kolkata has revealed that microbes in the Sundarbans mangrove forest, heavily polluted with microplastics, have evolved the ability to degrade plastics. This is a promising development for tackling plastic pollution. However, the same microbes also carry genes for antibiotic and metal resistance, potentially exacerbating the problem of antimicrobial resistance. The study highlights the complex and potentially risky implications of using these microbes for bioremediation.
**News Article:**
**Sundarbans Microbes: A Double-Edged Sword for Plastic Pollution and Antibiotic Resistance**
**KOLKATA, August 31, 2025** – Scientists have discovered that microbes in the heavily polluted Sundarbans mangrove forest possess the remarkable ability to break down plastic waste. A study published in *FEMS Microbiology Letters* by researchers at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Kolkata, reveals that these microbes have adapted to the constant influx of microplastics into the ecosystem.
The Sundarbans, the world’s largest mangrove forest, receives an estimated three billion microplastic particles daily. Researchers analyzing water samples found a high concentration of enzymes capable of degrading various types of plastic, including common synthetic plastics like PET and nylon.
“This discovery is promising, as it indicates that the Sundarbans’ microbial community has adapted to deal with the flood of plastic waste,” said Punyasloke Bhadury, a biologist at IISER Kolkata and co-author of the study.
However, the research also revealed a concerning side effect: the same microbes capable of degrading plastics also carry genes for antibiotic and metal resistance. The study found strong associations between plastic-degrading enzymes and genes that confer resistance to antibiotics and heavy metals. This suggests that the same environmental pressures, such as plastic additives, metals, and pollutants, are driving microbial adaptation in the Sundarbans.
This finding raises concerns that the intentional use of these microbes for plastic bioremediation could inadvertently contribute to the spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The researchers caution that the microbes could also contribute to the transfer of resistance genes.
“Changing climate can potentially accelerate the transfer of ARGs among bacteria, which may ultimately end up in humans,” Bhadury said. “This could have consequences for One Health and public health in general.”
The study highlights the complex and potentially risky nature of using natural microbes to combat plastic pollution. While the discovery offers hope for developing biological solutions to plastic waste, it also underscores the need for careful consideration of the potential consequences for antimicrobial resistance.
First Piper 