Natural Compounds from Turmeric and Rhubarb Combat Antibiotic Resistance in Wastewater

In a novel approach to combat antibiotic-resistant bacteria, researchers have found that natural compounds derived from turmeric and rhubarb may offer a promising solution to an increasingly urgent public health threat. This research, spearheaded by Dr. Liyuan "Joanna" Hou, a microbiologist at Utah State University, highlights the potential of curcumin and emodin in mitigating the evolution of resistant bacterial strains commonly found in wastewater treatment facilities.

The study, published in the journal *Frontiers in Microbiology* on July 10, 2025, addresses a critical issue: when individuals consume antibiotics, a portion of these drugs is excreted in urine and feces, ultimately entering wastewater systems. This residual presence of antibiotics creates an environment conducive to the evolution of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, often referred to as "superbugs". According to Dr. Hou, "Without improved treatment, wastewater could serve as a breeding ground for 'superbugs' that may enter water resources, posing potential risks to public health."

The research team analyzed samples from a wastewater treatment plant in Logan, Utah, discovering multiple strains of bacteria resistant to various antibiotics, including last-resort medications like colistin. The identification of these multidrug-resistant strains underscores the urgency of finding alternative treatment methods. Dr. Hou emphasized, "These bacteria could also act as environmental reservoirs, transferring resistance genes to other bacteria, including clinically relevant pathogens."

To assess the efficacy of the natural compounds, the researchers challenged the isolated bacterial strains with 11 different compounds, including curcumin from turmeric and emodin from rhubarb. The findings revealed that curcumin and emodin effectively inhibited cell growth and biofilm formation in Gram-positive multidrug-resistant bacteria, although Gram-negative bacteria, such as *Chryseobacterium*, exhibited resistance to all tested compounds.

Dr. Hou noted, "While natural compounds like curcumin and emodin show promise in inhibiting Gram-positive multidrug-resistant bacteria, further research is needed to evaluate their effectiveness in complex wastewater matrices and to explore potential synergistic effects with existing treatment processes."

The implications of this research extend beyond the laboratory, as antibiotic resistance continues to be a growing concern globally. A report from the World Health Organization in 2022 highlighted that antibiotic-resistant infections could cause 10 million deaths annually by 2050 if no substantial action is taken. The current study aligns with global efforts to find innovative solutions to this crisis, promoting the use of environmentally friendly compounds in wastewater management.

Future studies will aim to scale these laboratory findings to pilot-scale trials, assessing the feasibility and safety of implementing such natural treatments in real-world settings. Dr. Hou concluded, "Our goal was to explore alternative mitigation strategies that are both effective and sustainable, contributing to public health and environmental safety."

As antibiotic resistance continues to threaten public health, the exploration of natural compounds like curcumin and emodin may pave the way for innovative solutions in wastewater treatment, potentially safeguarding human health against the looming crisis of superbugs.