{"id":1244,"date":"2025-12-30T08:51:00","date_gmt":"2025-12-30T07:51:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nutrimedia.info\/?post_type=news&#038;p=1244"},"modified":"2025-12-04T22:52:45","modified_gmt":"2025-12-04T21:52:45","slug":"plasticising-pesticides-microbiota","status":"publish","type":"news","link":"https:\/\/www.nutrimedia.info\/en\/news\/pesticides-plastifiants-microbiote\/","title":{"rendered":"Pesticides and plasticisers: 168 contaminants toxic to the microbiota identified"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>We knew that pesticides kill harmful insects. Now we've discovered that they don't play around: your intestinal bacteria are suffering too. A Cambridge study identifies 168 common contaminants that are toxic to the microbiota.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>The microbiota, a collateral victim of modern chemistry<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>A team from the University of Cambridge has just tested <strong>1,076 contaminants - pesticides, plasticisers, flame retardants <\/strong>on 22 bacterial species representative of a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nutrimedia.info\/en\/news\/microbiome-and-growth-in-children\/\" data-type=\"news\" data-id=\"770\">microbiota<\/a> healthy. The verdict: 168 substances significantly inhibit the growth of \u00abgood\u00bb bacteria, with a total of 588 deleterious interactions identified.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Fungicides top the list for intestinal toxicity<\/strong>, followed closely by some <strong>plasticisers<\/strong> (bisphenols, phthalates) and flame retardants such as tetrabromobisphenol A. Around 30 % of the industrial products tested have antibacterial properties in relation to the microbiota. Ironic, for molecules that were never conceived as antibiotics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Gut microbes could protect us from toxic forever chemicals\u2018\" width=\"1080\" height=\"608\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/RsEEqE3Rk6M?feature=oembed\"  allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Why ingredient suppliers are concerned<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The intestinal microbiota is no longer a niche subject reserved for the manufacturers of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nutrimedia.info\/en\/news\/probiotics-and-efsa-marketing-strategies-in-the-face-of-regulatory-challenges\/\" data-type=\"news\" data-id=\"460\">probiotics<\/a>. It is a \u00abmetabolic organ\u00bb involved in digestion, immunity, energy metabolism and even mental health. Long-term disruption of this ecosystem is associated with obesity, digestive disorders, chronic inflammation and reduced response to treatment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This study therefore extends the scope of \u00abproduct safety\u00bb well beyond traditional toxicology. Tomorrow, the question will no longer be simply \u00abIs this ingredient toxic for humans? but \u00bbIs it compatible with a diverse and resilient microbiota?.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For B2B players, it's a paradigm shift. And for those who anticipate it, an opportunity to stand out from the crowd.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Antibiotic resistance: when pesticides create super-bacteria<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>The study's plot twist? By adapting to repeated exposure to pesticides, some bacteria simultaneously acquire resistance to antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>The mechanism is formidable: the same efflux pumps that expel pesticides from bacterial cells can also eject antibiotics. The result is an intestinal reservoir of resistance genes that complicates the management of common infections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The risk to public health is twofold. A depleted microbiota <em>and<\/em> a breeding ground for treatment-resistant bacteria. For the food industry, this data is fuelling the debate on <strong>pesticide residues<\/strong>, and the overall exposure of consumers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>The regulatory blind spot: microbiota forgotten in the dossiers<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The authors of the study point to a major shortcoming: the authorisation procedures for pesticides and additives rarely assess their impact on the microbiota. They are tested for toxicity to the host, genotoxicity and carcinogenicity - but not for compatibility with the 100,000 billion bacteria that inhabit us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Yet biomonitoring studies show that the general population is exposed daily to a cocktail of pesticides and pollutants detectable in urine or plasma, sometimes at micromolar concentrations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Cambridge researchers have also developed a machine learning model capable of predicting, from the chemical structure of a molecule, its risk of toxicity for the microbiota. A \u00absafe by design\u00bb approach that could inspire future regulations - and the R&amp;D strategies of proactive manufacturers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Four levers for action for ingredient suppliers<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>1. Auditing hidden risks.<\/strong> Map the pesticides, plasticisers and processing aids present in your food chains, by cross-referencing them with published data on their microbiota effects. The Cambridge study provides an initial \u00abblacklist\u00bb that can be used.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>2. Strengthen specifications.<\/strong> Tighten up requirements on key contaminants and promote sectors that reduce the use of problematic molecules. The \u00abmicrobiome-friendly\u00bb criterion could become a differentiating sourcing argument.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>3. Integrate the microbiota angle into arguments.<\/strong> For health and nutrition ingredients, highlight not only the functional benefits, but also the compatibility with a balanced intestinal ecosystem. This is a natural extension of the clean label approach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>4. Position protective solutions.<\/strong> Fibres, prebiotics, postbiotics, ferments: these ingredients can be positioned as levers of resilience in the face of environmental \u00abchemical stress\u00bb. A narrative that speaks to consumers and formulators alike.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>R&amp;D: towards systematic microbiota testing?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The study's methodology - in vitro screening on a representative bacterial panel, coupled with machine learning approaches - opens up concrete prospects for industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Several avenues for integration are emerging: co-development of microbiota tests in internal screening platforms, partnerships with laboratories specialising in metagenomics, performance indicators linked to the preservation of the microbiome.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>These approaches are in line with the expectations of major brands and distributors, who are already including microbiota health in their innovation roadmaps. It's better to be ahead of the regulations than behind the market.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>FAQ: pesticides, plastics and microbiota<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Does this study prove that certain foods are toxic for the microbiota?<\/strong> Not directly. The study was carried out in vitro on isolated bacteria. It shows that many molecules to which we are exposed <em>can<\/em> inhibit beneficial bacteria at realistic concentrations - but not the impact of whole foods on a human microbiota in vivo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Will regulations change rapidly?<\/strong> Experts are calling for microbiota tests to be incorporated into the assessment of new molecules. But for the moment, most regulatory frameworks do not require this. This is precisely what creates an advantage for companies that voluntarily take up this challenge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>How can you make the most of this angle with B2B customers?<\/strong> By documenting the microbiota impact (or lack of impact) of your ingredients, by working on low-residue channels, and by incorporating preservation of the microbiome into your technical and commercial messages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Is microbiota becoming a market differentiator?<\/strong> Clearly. Several segments - probiotics, prebiotics, fibre, specialised nutrition - are already using it as a central argument. This study broadens the subject by making the <em>protection<\/em> of the microbiome as a transversal quality criterion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Sources<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Roux I. et al, \u00abSystematic assessment of chemical toxicity to gut bacteria\u00bb, <em>Nature Microbiology<\/em>, 2025.<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/s41564-025-02182-6\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> Nature<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>University of Cambridge, MRC Toxicology Unit, press release, November 2025.<a href=\"https:\/\/www.cam.ac.uk\/research\/news\/pesticides-and-other-common-chemical-pollutants-are-toxic-to-our-good-gut-bacteria\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"> Cambridge<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>NutritionInsight, \u00abGut bacteria pollution: pesticides, herbicides, insecticides\u00bb, 2025.<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nutritioninsight.com\/news\/gut-bacteria-pollution-pesticides-herbicides-insecticides.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"> NutritionInsight<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Microbiome Congress, scientific summary, 2025.<a href=\"https:\/\/microbiomecongress.org\/news\/pesticides-and-other-common-chemical-pollutants-are-toxic-to-our-good-gut-bacteria\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"> Microbiome Congress<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>","protected":false},"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":true,"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","inline_featured_image":false},"class_list":["post-1244","news","type-news","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nutrimedia.info\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news\/1244","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nutrimedia.info\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nutrimedia.info\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/news"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nutrimedia.info\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1244"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}