Microplastics Disrupt Gut Microbiome and Fermentation in Farm Animals, Study Reveals

Microplastics, tiny plastic particles pervasive in agricultural environments, interact with and disrupt the microbial ecosystem in the rumen—the first stomach chamber of cattle, reveals an international study.

"Our work is a first step toward understanding the biological consequences of microplastic exposure in farm animals," said lead researcher Daniel Brugger, Associate Professor of Companion and Monogastric Production Animal Nutrition at the University of Helsinki. "There is an urgent need for in-vivo studies to better understand the impacts on animal health and food safety, especially as global plastic production continues to rise."

The findings of a joint study from the University of Helsinki, University of Zurich, University of Hohenheim, and Technical University of Munich not only shed light on how microplastics are transformed within the digestive system of farm animals but also highlight potential risks for animal health, productivity, and food safety. The paper is published in the Journal of Hazardous Materials.