Biodeterioration of low-density polyethylene microplastics by dark septate endophytic fungi supported by mass loss and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy evidence

Summary

This study demonstrated that dark septate endophytic fungi can biologically degrade low-density polyethylene microplastics in minimal-nutrient conditions, with mass loss and chemical changes confirmed by FTIR and scanning electron microscopy. The findings point toward a fungal bioremediation pathway for persistent plastic pollution in agricultural soils, where LDPE microplastics are increasingly accumulating.