Changes in antibiotic resistance genes and mobile genetic elements during cattle manure composting after inoculation with Bacillus subtilis

This study explored the effects of Bacillus subtilis at four levels (0, 0.5%, 1%, and 2% w/w compost) on the variations in ARG5, mobile genetic elements (MGE5), and the bacterial community during composting. The composting process had a greater impact on ARG5 than Bacillus subtilis. The main ARG detected was sul1. The addition of Bacillus subtilis at 0.5% reduced the relative abundances of ARG5, MGE5, and human pathogenic bacteria (by 2-3 logs) in the mature products. Network and redundancy analyses suggested that intI1, Firmicutes, and pH were mainly responsible for the changes in ARG5, thus controlling these factors might help to inhibit the spread of ARGs.