Impact of herbicide-resistant genetically modified rapeseed on gut bacterial diversity of <i>Eisenia fetida</i>

The systematic evaluation of the safety and environmental impact associated with genetically modified (GM) crops is currently underway within the scientific community, with a particular focus on their effects on the gut microbiota, which plays a vital role in host health. In this study, we compared the effects of a non-GM rapeseed cultivar with those of an herbicide-resistant GM rapeseed cultivar containing the phosphinothricin acetyltransferase gene on the gut bacterial community of <i>Eisenia fetida</i>. The 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing and data analysis showed no significant differences in gut bacterial community composition or diversity between <i>E. fetida</i> fed GM rapeseed and those fed non-GM rapeseed. Principal component analysis indicated that, rather than plant type, external factors influenced the community structure. Polymerase chain reaction analysis revealed no evidence of horizontal gene transfer from GM rapeseed to microbes or earthworms. Overall, GM rapeseed had a negligible effect on gut microorganisms and did not significantly alter the gut bacterial community of <i>E. fetida</i>.