Title: Altered composition of the Indonesian gut microbiome and heavy metal resistance genes abundance in response to heavy metal exposure

Authors: Fitria Nungky Harjanti; Maulida Aisyah Khairunnisa; Ruri Agung Wahyuono; Arif Luqman; Anjar Tri Wibowo

Addresses: Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Biology, Universitas Islam Negeri Maulana Malik Ibrahim, Jl. Gajayana No. 50, Malang, 65144, East Java, Indonesia ' Faculty of Science and Data Analitic, Department of Biology, Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember, Sukolilo, Surabaya 60111, East Java, Indonesia ' Faculty of Science and Data Analitic, Department of Engineering Physics, Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember, Sukolilo, Surabaya 60111, East Java, Indonesia ' Faculty of Science and Data Analitic, Department of Biology, Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember, Sukolilo, Surabaya 60111, East Java, Indonesia ' Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Biology, Universitas Airlangga, Jl. Dr. Ir. H. Soekarno, Surabaya 60115, East Java, Indonesia

Abstract: Exposure to heavy metals poses significant health risks through inhalation, ingestion, and contact with contaminants, potentially causing gastrointestinal disorders and heightened infection vulnerability by altering the gut microbiome. In Indonesia, heavy metal contamination and its impact on the gut microbiome remain underexplored. This study assessed heavy metal prevalence in stool samples from coastal and highland populations and its potential microbiome effects. Copper (Cu), barium (Ba), manganese (Mn), and zinc (Zn) were detected, with barium contamination particularly concerning (13 of 20 participants). Genes for heavy metal resistance, such as znuC, nikE, modC, mntH, and arsB, were common in both populations. Copper levels negatively correlated with Prevotella abundance, while barium levels positively correlated with Prevotella, Faecalibacterium, and Ruminococcus abundance, indicating an antagonistic Ba-Cu relationship in shaping the microbiome. This study highlights the health risks of heavy metal exposure in Indonesia and its potential impact on gut microbiome composition.

Keywords: heavy metals exposure; copper; barium; health risks; gut microbiome.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEP.2024.142552

International Journal of Environment and Pollution, 2024 Vol.74 No.1/2/3/4, pp.79 - 96

Received: 07 Dec 2023
Accepted: 13 May 2024
Published online: 08 Nov 2024 *

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