These (resistant) microbes live in your microwave.

The findings highlight the need to clean microwaves regularly, especially in homes where some microbes can pose a risk.

Since the Industrial Revolution, microbes have successfully colonized new and extreme environments. Think oil spills at sea, plastic in the oceans, abandoned industrial sites and even the International Space Station. However, it turns out that an extreme environment containing special microbes can also be found close to home: your microwave.

Studying
in New study The researchers collected microbes from 30 microwave ovens: 10 from single-family kitchens, 10 from shared spaces such as shopping malls and science institutes, and 10 from molecular biology and microbiology laboratories. The team used two methods to study the diversity of the microbes: DNA sequencing and growing 101 strains in five different culture media.

Microbes
The researchers made a rather unsavory discovery. For example, microwaves appear to be veritable hotbeds of microbes. The team found a total of 747 different genera of bacteria, divided into 25 bacterial groups. The most common groups were FirmicutesActinomycetes, especially Protein bacteria.

Differences
In short, microwaves appear to harbor a surprisingly diverse ecosystem of microbes. The team also discovered notable differences between the devices they examined. While the microbial communities in microwaves from single-family homes and shared spaces were quite similar, those in laboratory microwaves varied greatly. Diversity was lowest in devices from single-family homes and highest in devices from laboratories. “Our results show that household microwaves have more anthropogenic microbes similar to those found on kitchen surfaces, while laboratory microwaves have more radiation-resistant bacteria,” said researcher Daniel Torrent.

home microwave ovens
Household microwave ovens, among other things, contain antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Stagnantintestinal bacteria Klebsiella soil bacteria Rhizobium and those that are somewhat unknown Bhargavaya, Brevibacterium, Prefundimonas, Dermacox, Pantoea and Fake to.

Microwaves in common areas
In contrast, microwaves in common areas contained only soil bacteria. Articulation and Methylobacteriumthe RothiaBacteria, which can cause illness in people, especially those with weakened immune systems. Intestinal, Janibacter, The new stick, Nocardioids, Novosphingobium, Stick, The hotah, Staphylococcus, Sporsarcina and Teribacillus Found.

Laboratory microwave ovens
Other than NomoriaThe bacteria have only been found in laboratory microwave ovens. Delftia, Micrococcosis, Deinococcus There was also an unknown genus of blue-green algae, more common than home microwaves.

health
Not all bacteria that live in microwaves are harmless. “Some bacterial species found in home microwaves, such as Klebsiella, Enterococci and Aeromonas“It can pose a health risk,” Torrent points out. “However, it is important to note that the microbes found in microwave ovens do not pose any greater risk than those found on other kitchen surfaces.”

Solar panels
In addition, the microbes the researchers encountered in the laboratory microwave ovens turned out to be quite resistant. They showed strong similarities to bacteria also found on solar panels. The researchers suspect that the constant exposure to temperature changes, radiation, and desiccation ensures that only the most resistant microbes survive there.

health
The findings confirm that it’s important to wipe down your microwave regularly with a cloth. “We recommend cleaning your microwave regularly with a diluted bleach solution or disinfectant spray,” Torrent advises. “It’s also important to wipe down the interior with a damp cloth after each use to remove residue and clean up any spills immediately to prevent bacteria growth.”

But the results aren’t just dramatic. They may also have potential for some biotechnological applications. For example, the researchers suggest that similarly robust microbes could be used in industrial processes where high resistance to adverse conditions is advantageous.