Plastic wastes biodegradation: Mechanisms, challenges and future prospects

Ali, Sameh S.; Elsamahy, Tamer; Al-Tohamy, Rania; Zhu, Daochen; Mahmoud, Yehia A.-G.; Koutra, Eleni; Metwally, Metwally A.; Kornaros, Michael; Sun, Jianzhong

doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.146590

Cited by 242 publications

(126 citation statements)

References 163 publications

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“…6). Briefly, the process of PE biodegradation can be divided into four stages: colonization/corrosion, depolymerization, assimilation and mineralization [25,35]. In the colonization stage, individual species or microbial consortium form a biofilm attached on the PE surface [25].…”

Section: A Proposed Model Of Biodegradation Process Of Pementioning

confidence: 99%

A marine fungus efficiently degrades polyethylene

Gao

Liu

Sun

2021

Preprint

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Plastics pollution has been a global concern. Huge quantities of polyethylene (PE), the most abundant and refractory plastic in the world, have been accumulating in the environment causing serious ecological problems. However, the paucity of microorganisms and enzymes that efficiently degrading PE seriously impedes the development of bio-products to eliminate this environmental pollution. Here, by screening hundreds of plastic waste-associated samples, we isolated a fungus (named Alternaria sp. FB1) that possessing a prominent capability of colonizing, degrading and utilizing PE. Strikingly, the molecular weight of PE film decreased 95% after the fungal treatment. Using GC-MS, we further clarified that a four-carbon product (named Diglycolamine) accounted for 93.28% of all degradation products after the treatment by strain FB1. We defined potential enzymes that involved in the degradation of PE through a transcriptomic method. The degradation capabilities of two representative enzymes including a laccase and a peroxidase were verified. Lastly, a complete biodegradation process of PE is proposed. Our study provides a compelling candidate for further investigation of degradation mechanisms and development of biodegradation products of PE.

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Section: A Proposed Model Of Biodegradation Process Of Pementioning

confidence: 99%

A marine fungus efficiently degrades polyethylene

Gao

Liu

Sun

2021

Preprint

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“…Plastics were developed as highly resistant materials, which resulted in a high number of applications in diverse industrial sectors, such as food, medical devices, construction, and automotive. Unfortunately, the current level of use has resulted in a very serious menace to life in the oceans and in terrestrial ecosystems, and some of the original disposal proposals, such as landfills and incineration processes, are highly disruptive to the environment [ 1 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Biotechnological Aspects and Mathematical Modeling of the Biodegradation of Plastics under Controlled Conditions

et al. 2022

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The strong environmental impact caused by plastic pollution has led research to address studies from different perspectives. The mathematical modeling of the biodegradation kinetics of solid materials is a major challenge since there are many influential variables in the process and there is interdependence of microorganisms with internal and external factors. In addition, as solid substrates that are highly hydrophobic, mass transfer limitations condition degradation rates. Some mathematical models have been postulated in order to understand the biodegradation of plastics in natural environments such as oceans. However, if tangible and optimizable solutions are to be found, it is necessary to study the biodegradation process under controlled conditions, such as using bioreactors and composting systems. This review summarizes the biochemical fundamentals of the main plastics (both petrochemical and biological origins) involved in biodegradation processes and combines them with the main mathematical equations and models proposed to date. The different biodegradation studies of plastics under controlled conditions are addressed, analyzing the influencing factors, assumptions, model developments, and correlations with laboratory-scale results. It is hoped that this review will provide a comprehensive overview of the process and will serve as a reference for future studies, combining practical experimental work and bioprocess modeling systems.

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“…Based on the diversity, economy, and practicability, plastics has penetrated into almost all areas of Human necessities. However, the non‐degradable problem of waste plastics could not be ignored 1 . As one of the representative of biodegradable plastics, poly(lactic acid) (PLA) is easily accessible and renewable, with excellent biocompatibility 2,3 .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Toughening, highly thermostable, and flame retardant polylactic acid enabled by polyphosphazene microsphere

Dong

Mao

Chen

2021

J of Applied Polymer Sci

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To obtain superior flame retardant poly(lactic acid) (PLA), a highly cross‐linked poly (cyclotriphosphazeneco4,4′diaminodiphenyl sulfone) (CP‐DDS) microsphere was synthesized by the precipitation polymerization between hexachlorocyclotriphosphazene (HCCP) and 4,4′diaminodiphenyl sulfone (DDS). Thanks to the cooperative effect of flame retardant elements including P, N and S, this as‐synthesized CP‐DDS microsphere presented excellent fire resistance. The limiting oxygen index (LOI) value of the PLA containing 7 wt% CP‐DDS microsphere (PLA/FR7.0) was dramatically increased to 26.8% from 19.7%. Moreover, the dripping of PLA/FR7.0 sharply decrease and it passed V‐1 UL‐94 rating in the vertical combustion test. Cone calorimetry results presented that PLA/FR7.0 composites resulted in 20.85% and 23.02% reductions in the total heat release (THR) and the peak heat release rate (PHRR) respectively. Besides, the average effective heat combustion (av‐EHC) of PLA/FR7.0 composites is 14.24% lower than that of PLA. Surprisingly, the elongation at break of PLA/FR7.0 composites was enhanced by 40%, hardly without loss of the mechanical strength. Possible flame retardant mechanism from gas phase and condensed phase was proposed. The fire‐retardant materials prepared by this toughening microsphere are sufficient to cope with the challenges brought by complex environments, which are expected to be applied in more fields.

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Plastic wastes biodegradation: Mechanisms, challenges and future prospects

Cited by 242 publications

References 163 publications

A marine fungus efficiently degrades polyethylene

A marine fungus efficiently degrades polyethylene

Biotechnological Aspects and Mathematical Modeling of the Biodegradation of Plastics under Controlled Conditions

Toughening, highly thermostable, and flame retardant polylactic acid enabled by polyphosphazene microsphere

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