Targeted metagenomic analysis (16S rRNA genes) performed on gut samples of sandhoppers (Talitrus saltator) fed with different kinds of bioplastics.

Bioplastic, like traditional plastics, are subjected to dispersion and accumulation, especially in marine and coastal environments. The impact of bioplastics on the environment is gaining attention due to the growing market demand. We previously assessed the ability of the supralittoral amphipod Talitrus saltator to ingest starch-based bioplastic and chitosan-starch blends in the absence of bacterial biofilm. Here, we fed groups of adult sandhoppers with two different kinds of starch-based bioplastic, a chitosan-starch blend, and paper and dry-fish-food. A group of freshly collected, unfed individuals was used as control. Results showed a rapid adaptation of sandhopper's gut microbiota to bioplastic feeding, with a notable increase of bioplastic-degrading associated bacteria in experimental groups, suggesting an involvment of Talitrus saltator's gut microbiota in bioplastic degradation and recycling in the supralittoral environment.

生物塑料与传统塑料一样，易发生分散与累积，尤其在海洋与近岸环境中。由于市场需求持续增长，生物塑料对环境的影响正受到越来越多的关注。本研究团队此前评估了潮上带端足类沙跳虾（Talitrus saltator）在无细菌生物膜（bacterial biofilm）条件下，摄取淀粉基生物塑料（starch-based bioplastic）与壳聚糖-淀粉共混物（chitosan-starch blends）的能力。本研究中，我们为多组成年沙跳虾投喂了两种不同的淀粉基生物塑料、一种壳聚糖-淀粉共混物，以及纸张与干燥鱼食；同时设置一组刚采集且未投喂的个体作为对照组。结果显示，沙跳虾肠道菌群可快速适应生物塑料投喂环境，实验组中与生物塑料降解相关的细菌丰度显著提升，这表明沙跳虾（Talitrus saltator）的肠道菌群参与了潮上带环境中生物塑料的降解与循环利用过程。