Environmentally Relevant Concentration of Bisphenol S Shows Slight Effects on SIHUMIx.

Stephanie Serena Schäpe,Jannike Lea Krause,Nico Jehmlich,Ulrike Rolle-Kampczyk,Martin Von Bergen,Sarah Riesbeck,Christian Eberlein,Rebecca Katharina Masanetz,Hermann-Josef Heipieper,Robert Starke,Gunda Herberth

doi:10.3390/microorganisms8091436

Abstract

Bisphenol S (BPS) is an industrial chemical used in the process of polymerization of polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins and thus can be found in various plastic products and thermal papers. The microbiota disrupting effect of BPS on the community structure of the microbiome has already been reported, but little is known on how BPS affects bacterial activity and function. To analyze these effects, we cultivated the simplified human intestinal microbiota (SIHUMIx) in bioreactors at a concentration of 45 µM BPS. By determining biomass, growth of SIHUMIx was followed but no differences during BPS exposure were observed. To validate if the membrane composition was affected, fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) profiles were compared. Changes in the individual membrane fatty acid composition could not been described; however, the saturation level of the membranes slightly increased during BPS exposure. By applying targeted metabolomics to quantify short-chain fatty acids (SCFA), it was shown that the activity of SIHUMIx was unaffected. Metaproteomics revealed temporal effect on the community structure and function, showing that BPS has minor effects on the structure or functionality of SIHUMIx.

Highlights

Bisphenols are an initial material in the production of polycarbonate plastics and epoxies resins, and can be found in a variety of everyday products, e.g., plastic bottles and boxes used for liquid and food storage or the inner coating of food cans [1,2]
Considering the fact that the median estimated daily intake of bisphenol S (BPS) ranges between 0.023–1.67 μg/person [43] and there is clear evidence that gut microbiota are affected by environmental chemicals, potentially affecting health [15], it is of great interest how BPS impacts the human intestinal microbiota
We showed that a 7-day exposure of SIHUMIx to 45 μM BPS had no effect on the community growth or short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) metabolism compared to the DMSO control

Summary

Introduction

Bisphenols are an initial material in the production of polycarbonate plastics and epoxies resins, and can be found in a variety of everyday products, e.g., plastic bottles and boxes used for liquid and food storage or the inner coating of food cans [1,2]. Due to its endocrine disrupting properties BPA has been banned from products in food packaging and consumer products used by small children and has been added to the EU candidate list for substances of very high concern (SVHC) [5]. It was reported that BPS impairs blood functions by affecting blood cells, glucose and cholesterol metabolism and inducing cardiovascular risks in rats [6]. It has similar estrogenic activity when compared with BPA, it showed lower acute toxicity in vivo [3]. In 2017, BPS has been added to the Chemicals of High Concern to Children (CHCC) Reporting List in Washington state [7]

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion