Decoding Veterinary Antibiotic Behavior in Aerobic Composting and Anaerobic Digestion of Manure

The common use of veterinary antibiotics on livestock means that they end up in manure, which is a big source of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in the environment. Aerobic composting and anaerobic digestion (AD) are common ways to treat manure, but how well they get rid of antibiotics and resistance genes (ARGs) varies a lot. This review looks at how the main classes of antibiotics break down during these processes. Antibiotic breakdown is greatly affected by operational parameters and microbial communities. Aerobic composting frequently attains enhanced antibiotic elimination via thermophilic and oxidative mechanisms. In contrast, while AD is useful for energy recovery, it often leads to incomplete degradation and the persistence of transformation products (TPs). A significant discovery is the contradictory function of these systems: they have the capacity to diminish ARGs while potentially augmenting them in suboptimal circumstances. Important knowledge gaps are the absence of field-scale studies, data from tropical areas, and risk evaluations of TPs. Future research should emphasize field validation, employ advanced analytical techniques, and incorporate multi-omics approaches to enhance the robustness and comprehensiveness of scientific findings. Ultimately, putting manure management at the top of the list of One Health strategies in a circular economy is important for stopping the spread of AMR.