At a Glance
- Sucralose, a widely used artificial sweetener in zero-calorie products, persists in the environment due to its resistance to human digestion and microbial breakdown, posing potential risks to aquatic ecosystems.
- The research highlights concerns about sucralose’s effect on microbial communities, particularly its impact on photosynthetic aquatic bacteria (cyanobacteria) and diatoms, which are crucial to marine food chains.
- Experiments conducted in Marineland, Florida, showed that freshwater cyanobacteria thrived with sucralose exposure, potentially mistaking it for a nutrient, while brackish cyanobacteria initially increased but later declined sharply.
- When diatoms, which are important for ecosystem balance, were exposed to sucralose, their numbers dropped, especially in freshwater environments. This shows that sucralose has the potential to upset the balance of microbial communities and cause big changes in the environment.
- Researchers emphasize the necessity of continued research to understand sucralose’s full environmental impact and to develop strategies to mitigate the effects of artificial sweeteners on aquatic ecosystems, ensuring their health and sustainability.
Scientific research has underscored the persistent presence of sucralose, an artificial sweetener widely used in zero-calorie foods and beverages, in the environment. Unlike natural sugars, sucralose proves challenging for both human digestion and microbial breakdown, posing potential risks to aquatic ecosystems.
Tracey Schafer, an assistant research scientist at the University of Florida‘s Whitney Laboratory for Marine Bioscience, explains that sucralose’s resilience in the environment raises concerns about its impact on microbial communities. Together with Schafer, lead author Amelia Westmoreland recently published a study in Environmental Monitoring and Assessment that explores the effects of sucralose on cyanobacteria, a photosynthetic aquatic bacteria, and diatoms, crucial algae in marine food chains.
Researchers conducted experiments using samples from freshwater and brackish water sites in Marineland, Florida. In their St. Augustine lab, they exposed these samples to varying sucralose concentrations and monitored microbial activities over different timeframes. Results showed contrasting effects: freshwater cyanobacteria flourished with sucralose exposure, suggesting they might mistake it for a nutrient. In contrast, brackish cyanobacteria initially spiked but then declined sharply.
Diatoms, essential to ecosystem balance, showed a decline in population when exposed to sucralose, particularly in freshwater environments. According to Westmoreland, sucralose’s presence could disrupt the delicate balance of microbial communities, potentially leading to significant ecological shifts.
Both Schafer and Westmoreland emphasize the need for further research to fully grasp sucralose’s environmental impact. They hope their study serves as a catalyst for future investigations into mitigating the effects of artificial sweeteners on aquatic ecosystems, ensuring the health and sustainability of our natural habitats.
References
- Westmoreland, A. G., Schafer, T. B., Breland, K. E., Beard, A. R., & Osborne, T. Z. (2024). Sucralose (C12H19Cl3O8) impact on microbial activity in estuarine and freshwater marsh soils. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 196(5), 451. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-024-12610-5
- Winslow, M. & University of Florida. (2024, July 8). Study reveals environmental impact of artificial sweeteners. Phys.Org; University of Florida. https://phys.org/news/2024-07-reveals-environmental-impact-artificial-sweeteners.html
