Medicinal Earthworm: Speciation and Bioaccessibility of Arsenic and Its Potential Health Risks

Li, Yaolei; Li, Hailiang; Zan, Ke; Wang, Ying; Zuo, Teng; Jin, Haiyan; Zhang, Bing; Ma, Shuang‐Cheng

doi:10.3389/fphar.2022.795530

Cited by 5 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 38 publications

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“…In the assay of wormcasts, it was found that the ARG concentration in the treatment group under high arsenic stress was generally lower than that in the treatment group with low arsenic addition. Studies have shown that arsenic has a toxic effect on earthworms [ 49 ], the severity of which increases with increasing arsenic concentration, thus reducing their transformation metabolism.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Response of Antibiotic Resistance Genes and Related Microorganisms to Arsenic during Vermicomposting of Cow Dung

Chen

Zhang

et al. 2022

IJERPH

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Antibiotic resistance pollution in livestock manure is a persistent issue that has drawn public attention. Vermicomposting is an ecofriendly biological process that can render livestock manure harmless and resourceful. However, little is known about the impact of vermicomposting on antibiotic resistance in livestock manure under stress caused by potentially toxic arsenic levels. Herein, lab-scale vermicomposting was performed to comprehensively evaluate the shift in antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and related microorganisms in fresh earthworm casts as well as vermicompost product health (i.e., nutrient availability and enzyme activity) when they were fed on arsenic-contaminated cow manure. The results showed that the earthworms’ interaction with cow dung led to a significant reduction in ARG concentrations, especially for tetracycline ARGs (tet-ARGs), β-lactam ARGs (bla-ARGs), and quinolone ARGs (qnr-ARGs). However, arsenic significantly enhanced ARG accumulation in earthworm casts in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, vermicomposting increased the percentage of Bacteroidota in the converted products. Furthermore, arsenic exposure at low concentrations promoted the proliferation of Proteobacteria, whereas high concentrations had little effect on Proteobacteria. Our study provides valuable insight into the changes in the antibiotic resistome and related microorganisms during vermicomposting of arsenic-amended cow manure, and it is crucial to explain the environmental impact of earthworms and improve our understanding of the reciprocal benefits of soil invertebrates.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Response of Antibiotic Resistance Genes and Related Microorganisms to Arsenic during Vermicomposting of Cow Dung

Chen

Zhang

et al. 2022

IJERPH

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“…Medicinal earthworms are consumed widely in China, but the potential health risks from As are unknown. Li et al 63 have reported on work to investigate the total concentration, bioaccessibility, and speciation of As in earthworms by ICP-MS and HPLC-ICP-MS in order to evaluate the potential health risks to humans. Arsenic was found in all earthworms at concentrations ranging from 0.4 to 53.6 mg kg −1 .…”

Section: Arsenicmentioning

confidence: 99%

Atomic spectrometry update: review of advances in elemental speciation

Clough

Harrington

Hill

et al. 2023

J. Anal. At. Spectrom.

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“…It is recognized that the use of phosphate-based fertilisers in agriculture in New Zealand can result in a modest increase in accumulated cadmium levels. Arsenic has been found in all earthworm species studied at concentrations ranging from 0.4 to 53.6 mg•kg −1 DW [79]. Arsenic, in regard to ecological safety, has become a worldwide public concern, as human exposure to arsenic is mostly through water and food [79].…”

Section: Non-essential Minerals-heavy Metalsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Arsenic has been found in all earthworm species studied at concentrations ranging from 0.4 to 53.6 mg•kg −1 DW [79]. Arsenic, in regard to ecological safety, has become a worldwide public concern, as human exposure to arsenic is mostly through water and food [79]. As the source of accumulation of arsenic is through the soil, it is challenging to control the accumulation of heavy metals such as arsenic in wild-harvested earthworms.…”

Section: Non-essential Minerals-heavy Metalsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Earth Worming—An Evaluation of Earthworm (Eisenia andrei) as an Alternative Food Source

Kavle

Nolan

Carne

et al. 2023

Foods

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Aside from their bioremediation roles, little is known about the food and feed value of earthworms. In this study, a comprehensive evaluation of the nutritional composition (proximate analysis and profiles of fatty acids and minerals) and techno-functional properties (foaming and emulsion stability and capacity) of earthworm (Eisenia andrei, sourced in New Zealand) powder (EAP) were investigated. Lipid nutritional indices, ω6/ω3, atherogenicity index, thrombogenicity index, hypocholesterolemic/hypercholesterolemic acid ratio, and health-promoting index of EAP lipids are also reported. The protein, fat, and carbohydrate contents of EAP were found to be 53.75%, 19.30%, and 23.26% DW, respectively. The mineral profile obtained for the EAP consisted of 11 essential minerals, 23 non-essential minerals, and 4 heavy metals. The most abundant essential minerals were potassium (8220 mg·kg−1 DW), phosphorus (8220 mg·kg−1 DW), magnesium (744.7 mg·kg−1 DW), calcium (2396.7 mg·kg−1 DW), iron (244.7 mg·kg−1 DW), and manganese (25.6 mg·kg−1 DW). Toxic metals such as vanadium (0.2 mg·kg−1 DW), lead (0.2 mg·kg−1 DW), cadmium (2.2 mg·kg−1 DW), and arsenic (2.3 mg·kg−1 DW) were found in EAP, which pose safety considerations. Lauric acid (20.3% FA), myristoleic acid (11.20% FA), and linoleic acid (7.96% FA) were the most abundant saturated, monounsaturated, and polyunsaturated fatty acids, respectively. The lipid nutritional indices, such as IT and ω-6/ω-3, of E. andrei were within limits considered to enhance human health. A protein extract derived from EAP (EAPPE), obtained by alkaline solubilisation and pH precipitation, exhibited an isoelectric pH of ~5. The total essential amino acid content and essential amino acid index of EAPPE were 373.3 mg·g−1 and 1.36 mg·g−1 protein, respectively. Techno-functional analysis of EAPPE indicated a high foaming capacity (83.3%) and emulsion stability (88.8% after 60 min). Heat coagulation of EAPPE was greater at pH 7.0 (12.6%) compared with pH 5.0 (4.83%), corroborating the pH-solubility profile and relatively high surface hydrophobicity (1061.0). These findings demonstrate the potential of EAP and EAPPE as nutrient-rich and functional ingredients suitable as alternative food and feed material. The presence of heavy metals, however, should be carefully considered.

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Medicinal Earthworm: Speciation and Bioaccessibility of Arsenic and Its Potential Health Risks

Cited by 5 publications

References 38 publications

Response of Antibiotic Resistance Genes and Related Microorganisms to Arsenic during Vermicomposting of Cow Dung

Response of Antibiotic Resistance Genes and Related Microorganisms to Arsenic during Vermicomposting of Cow Dung

Atomic spectrometry update: review of advances in elemental speciation

Earth Worming—An Evaluation of Earthworm (Eisenia andrei) as an Alternative Food Source

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