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Anaerobic Digestion of Cattle Manure Contaminated with an Antibiotic Mixture: A Nature-Based Solution for Environmental Management

Author

Listed:
  • Giulia Massini

    (Laboratory for Hydrogen and New Energy Vectors (TERIN DEC H2V), Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development (ENEA), Via Anguillarese 301, 00123 Rome, Italy)

  • Anna Barra Caracciolo

    (Water Research Institute, National Research Council (IRSA-CNR) SP 35d, km 0.7, 00010 Rome, Italy)

  • Jasmin Rauseo

    (Institute of Polar Sciences, National Research Council (ISP-CNR) SP 35d, km 0.7, 00010 Rome, Italy
    National Biodiversity Future Center (NBFC), 90133 Palermo, Italy)

  • Francesca Spataro

    (Institute of Polar Sciences, National Research Council (ISP-CNR) SP 35d, km 0.7, 00010 Rome, Italy
    National Biodiversity Future Center (NBFC), 90133 Palermo, Italy)

  • Giulia Scordo

    (Laboratory for Hydrogen and New Energy Vectors (TERIN DEC H2V), Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development (ENEA), Via Anguillarese 301, 00123 Rome, Italy)

  • Luisa Patrolecco

    (Institute of Polar Sciences, National Research Council (ISP-CNR) SP 35d, km 0.7, 00010 Rome, Italy
    National Biodiversity Future Center (NBFC), 90133 Palermo, Italy)

  • Gian Luigi Garbini

    (Water Research Institute, National Research Council (IRSA-CNR) SP 35d, km 0.7, 00010 Rome, Italy)

  • Andrea Visca

    (Water Research Institute, National Research Council (IRSA-CNR) SP 35d, km 0.7, 00010 Rome, Italy
    Department for Sustainability, Biotechnologies and Agroindustry Division, Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development (ENEA), Via Anguillarese 301, 00123 Rome, Italy)

  • Paola Grenni

    (Water Research Institute, National Research Council (IRSA-CNR) SP 35d, km 0.7, 00010 Rome, Italy
    National Biodiversity Future Center (NBFC), 90133 Palermo, Italy)

  • Ludovica Rolando

    (Water Research Institute, National Research Council (IRSA-CNR) SP 35d, km 0.7, 00010 Rome, Italy)

  • Valentina Mazzurco Miritana

    (Laboratory for Hydrogen and New Energy Vectors (TERIN DEC H2V), Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development (ENEA), Via Anguillarese 301, 00123 Rome, Italy)

Abstract

Anaerobic digestion (AD) is a waste-to-energy strategy that leverages natural microbiological processes. It is increasingly used in farms to treat manure, resulting in biogas for energy production and digestate as fertiliser. However, animal manure often contains antibiotic (AB) residues, raising concerns about their impact on AD efficiency and their potential spread through digestate use. This multidisciplinary study evaluated the effects of an AB mixture (enrofloxacin, ciprofloxacin and sulfamethoxazole) on CH 4 production, microbial community (Fungi, Bacteria and Archaea) dynamics and antibiotic resistance gene (ARG) presence. The experiment used a cattle manure/digestate ratio of 1:35, typical of real digesters, with AB concentrations set at low (2.5 mg kg −1 each) and high (7.5 mg kg −1 each) levels. The ABs affected cumulative CH 4 production (ranging from 5939 to 6464 mL) only at the highest concentration. After 51 days, sulfamethoxazole reached residual levels, while enrofloxacin and ciprofloxacin were only partially degraded (<50%), but ARGs were significantly reduced. The microbial community, particularly prokaryotes, exhibited resilience, maintaining efficient CH 4 production. Overall findings strongly suggest that AD is an effective treatment for producing energy and good fertiliser, also reducing AB and ARG content as well as mitigating CH 4 emissions into the atmosphere.

Suggested Citation

  • Giulia Massini & Anna Barra Caracciolo & Jasmin Rauseo & Francesca Spataro & Giulia Scordo & Luisa Patrolecco & Gian Luigi Garbini & Andrea Visca & Paola Grenni & Ludovica Rolando & Valentina Mazzurco, 2025. "Anaerobic Digestion of Cattle Manure Contaminated with an Antibiotic Mixture: A Nature-Based Solution for Environmental Management," Land, MDPI, vol. 14(2), pages 1-16, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jlands:v:14:y:2025:i:2:p:353-:d:1586716
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Yanli Li & Qingjie Li & Zhengyu Ji & Okbagaber Andom & Xiaoxing Wang & Xueqi Guo & Zhaojun Li, 2023. "Current Status and Spatiotemporal Evolution of Antibiotic Residues in Livestock and Poultry Manure in China," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 13(10), pages 1-16, September.
    2. Duan, Yumin & Wang, Zhi & Ganeshan, Prabakaran & Sar, Taner & Xu, Suyun & Rajendran, Karthik & Sindhu, Raveendran & Binod, Parameswaran & Pandey, Ashok & Zhang, Zengqiang & Taherzadeh, Mohammad J. & A, 2025. "Anaerobic digestion in global bio-energy production for sustainable bioeconomy: Potential and research challenges," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 208(C).
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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