Microbes, tiny organisms that live in almost every environment on Earth, have now been found thriving in a place most of us use every day—our microwaves.
Scientists from Spain have discovered that these microbes have adapted to survive the harsh conditions inside microwaves, making them another extreme environment that microbes have successfully conquered.
For years, microbes have been found in some of the most challenging places, like oil spills in the ocean, plastic waste, and even the International Space Station.
But now, researchers have revealed that the inside of microwaves is also home to a unique community of microbes.
This discovery is not just important for understanding how to keep our homes clean, but it could also have potential uses in industries that need tough bacteria for certain processes.
The study, published in Frontiers in Microbiology, was led by Daniel Torrent, a researcher at Darwin Bioprospecting Excellence SL in Paterna, Spain.
Torrent and his team sampled microbes from 30 microwaves: 10 from single-household kitchens, 10 from shared spaces like corporate centers and cafeterias, and 10 from scientific laboratories. They wanted to see how these different environments affected the types of microbes living inside the microwaves.
The team used advanced techniques to analyze the microbial diversity. They identified 747 different types of microbes, grouped into 25 categories called bacterial phyla.
The most common groups were Firmicutes, Actinobacteria, and Proteobacteria. Interestingly, the microbes found in microwaves from homes were similar to those found on kitchen surfaces, while those from laboratory microwaves were more resistant to radiation.
The study found that single-household microwaves had the lowest diversity of microbes, while laboratory microwaves had the highest. Some bacteria, like Acinetobacter and Klebsiella, were found only in home microwaves, while others, like Arthrobacter and Methylobacterium, were only in shared or laboratory microwaves. A special group of bacteria called Nonomuraea was found only in laboratory microwaves.
The researchers also noted that some of the bacteria found in home microwaves, like Klebsiella and Enterococcus, could potentially be harmful to humans. However, these bacteria are not more dangerous than those found on other kitchen surfaces.
The scientists recommend regularly cleaning microwaves with a diluted bleach solution or disinfectant spray to prevent bacteria growth. They also suggest wiping down the interior surfaces with a damp cloth after each use and cleaning up spills immediately.
This study highlights the resilience of microbes and their ability to adapt to new environments. Who would have thought that something as common as a microwave could become a habitat for such a diverse community of life?
