Impact of glyphosate (RoundupTM) on the composition and functionality of the gut microbiome
Loading...
Date
2023
Authors
Walsh, Lauren
Hill, Colin
Ross, R. Paul
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Taylor and Francis Ltd.
Published Version
Abstract
Glyphosate, the active ingredient in the broad-spectrum herbicide RoundupTM, has been a topic of discussion for decades due to contradictory reports of the effect of glyphosate on human health. Glyphosate inhibits the enzyme 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase (EPSPS) of the shikimic pathway producing aromatic amino acids in plants, a mechanism that suggests that the herbicide would not affect humans as this pathway is not found in mammals. However, numerous studies have implicated glyphosate exposure in the manifestation of a variety of disorders in the human body. This review specifically outlines the potential effect of glyphosate exposure on the composition and functionality of the gut microbiome. Evidence has been building behind the hypothesis that the composition of each individual gut microbiota significantly impacts health. For this reason, the potential of glyphosate to inhibit the growth of beneficial microbes in the gut or alter their functionality is an important topic that warrants further consideration.
Description
Keywords
Glyphosate , Gut microbiome , Antimicrobial , Human health , RoundupTM
Citation
Walsh, L., Hill, C. and Ross, R.P. (2023) ‘Impact of glyphosate (Roundup TM ) on the composition and functionality of the gut microbiome’, Gut Microbes, 15(2), 2263935 (16pp). doi: 10.1080/19490976.2023.2263935