We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Assessing microbial plastic degradation requires robust methods
Summary
This study examined whether organisms living in microplastic-contaminated environments develop tolerance to plastic exposure over successive generations. Multi-generational experiments with a freshwater invertebrate showed some evidence of adaptive shifts in ingestion behavior, but fitness costs persisted, indicating that evolutionary adaptation to microplastic pollution is limited.
Plastics are versatile materials that have the potential to propel humanity towards circularity and ultimate societal sustainability. However, the escalating concern surrounding plastic pollution has garnered significant attention, leading to widespread negative perceptions of these materials. Here, we question the role microbes may play in plastic pollution bioremediation by (i) defining polymer biodegradability (i.e., recalcitrant, hydrolysable and biodegradable polymers) and (ii) reviewing best practices for evaluating microbial biodegradation of plastics. We establish recommendations to facilitate the implementation of rigorous methodologies in future studies on plastic biodegradation, aiming to push this field towards the use of isotopic labelling to confirm plastic biodegradation and further determine the molecular mechanisms involved.