Setting new standards: Multiphasic analysis of microplastic mineralization by fungi

Rohrbach, Stephan; Gkoutselis, Gerasimos; Mauel, Anika; Telli, Nihal; Senker, Jürgen; Ho, Adrian; Rambold, Gerhard; Horn, Marcus A.

doi:10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.141025

Cited by 2 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 85 publications

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“…The appearance of new bands of strong, moderate, and weak intensity at 824, 1269, 2551, and 3454 cm − 1 indicates the formation of new effective aggregates and a change in the chemical composition of the original polymer (Rohrbach et al, 2023). This interpretation also applies to the HDPE disc after it was exposed for 50 days (Fig.…”

Section: Hdpe After 30 Daysmentioning

confidence: 82%

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Unveiling Fungal Proficiency in Microplastic Degradation: A Comprehensive Research Investigation

ARIF,

Hassan,

Fakhry

et al. 2024

Preprint

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Microplastics (MPs) are prevalent pollutants in environments that are colonized by various groups of microbes. Fungi are considered among the most efficient microbial degraders of MPs because they produce salient enzymes and can survive on recalcitrant compounds with limited nutrients. While most studies have focused on the occurrence of MPs in wastewater treatment systems, MP degradation in fresh water and wastewater is generally poorly understood. Therefore, the current study included the isolation of some genera of fungi from the Tigris River water environment that have the ability to degrade MPs in both natural and artificial environments utilizing synthetic media. Using weight loss measurements, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was used to identify the chemical structure of the plastic polymers, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to determine the size and morphology of the microplastics and the degree of plastic consumed by the aquatic fungus. The biodegradation of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and polystyrene (PS) by the aquatic fungus Aspergillus carbonarius and Eurotium sp. was also examined. Overall, Aspergillus carbonarius and Eurotium sp. were able to degrade HDPE more efficiently than PS without requiring any prior microplastic treatment. Therefore, the ability of fungi to degrade MPs was confirmed by weight loss, FTIR, and SEM data. Therefore, the results indicate that the isolated fungus has a promising future for polymer breakdown in both artificial and natural environments. Investigating the long-term impacts and gaining a deeper knowledge of the mechanisms of microplastic disintegration should be the main goals of future research.

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Section: Hdpe After 30 Daysmentioning

confidence: 82%

“…14d), we noticed that the main bands present in the standard PS compound remained but at a lower intensity (lower concentration), with the appearance of some new bands in the (480 and 3444 cm − 1 ) region. This indicates that the fungus began to break the bonds in the styrene polymer and began to form new bonds (Rohrbach et al 2023).…”

Section: Ps After 50 Daysmentioning

confidence: 99%

Unveiling Fungal Proficiency in Microplastic Degradation: A Comprehensive Research Investigation

ARIF,

Hassan,

Fakhry

et al. 2024

Preprint

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Plastic and terrestrial organic matter degradation by the humic lake microbiome continues throughout the seasons

Vesamäki,

Laine,

Nissinen

et al. 2024

Environ Microbiol Rep

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Boreal freshwaters go through four seasons, however, studies about the decomposition of terrestrial and plastic compounds often focus only on summer. We compared microbial decomposition of 13C‐polyethylene, 13C‐polystyrene, and 13C‐plant litter (Typha latifolia) by determining the biochemical fate of the substrate carbon and identified the microbial decomposer taxa in humic lake waters in four seasons. For the first time, the annual decomposition rate including separated seasonal variation was calculated for microplastics and plant litter in the freshwater system. Polyethylene decomposition was not detected, whereas polystyrene and plant litter were degraded in all seasons. In winter, decomposition rates of polystyrene and plant litter were fivefold and fourfold slower than in summer, respectively. Carbon from each substrate was mainly respired in all seasons. Plant litter was utilized efficiently by various microbial groups, whereas polystyrene decomposition was limited to Alpha‐ and Gammaproteobacteria. The decomposition was not restricted only to the growth season, highlighting that the decomposition of both labile organic matter and extremely recalcitrant microplastics continues throughout the seasons.

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Setting new standards: Multiphasic analysis of microplastic mineralization by fungi

Cited by 2 publications

References 85 publications

Unveiling Fungal Proficiency in Microplastic Degradation: A Comprehensive Research Investigation

Unveiling Fungal Proficiency in Microplastic Degradation: A Comprehensive Research Investigation

Plastic and terrestrial organic matter degradation by the humic lake microbiome continues throughout the seasons

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