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Evaluation of Bacillus-Associated Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) Surfaces For Biodegradation
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Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is one of the most common plastics, found in bottles and packaging, and it breaks down into persistent microplastics in the environment. This study screened bacteria collected from PET surfaces at a landfill in Malaysia, finding strains with promising esterase activity capable of forming biofilms on PET and beginning to degrade it. The findings point toward biological solutions for breaking down PET microplastics before they spread further into ecosystems.
The escalating threat of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) microplastic pollution necessitates an urgent environmentally friendly approach. This study explores the potential of local bacterial isolates to biodegrade PET microplastics. Bacteria isolated from the surface of PET plastic bottles taken from Dengkil Inert Waste Landfill were screened for esterase activity and biofilm formation. PET degradation was assessed through mass weight reduction, scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis for morphological changes, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) for chemical structure alterations. Two of the five selected isolates were positive for producing esterase and biofilm ability as well as biodegrade PET leading to a 2.04% - 2.08% degradation (20 days incubation). FT-IR indicated changes in PET chemical structure, particularly in C-H, C=O, and C-O bonds, while SEM revealed morphological changes such as cracks and holes on the PET surface. Identification through 16S rRNA sequencing indicated bacterial isolates are Bacillus paramycoides DIWL 1, Bacillus cereus DIWL 2, Bacillus safensis DIWL 3, Bacillus luciferensis DIWL 4, and Bacillus cereus DIWL 5. The results of this study can be used for further research on the potential of local isolates in the decomposition of PET microplastics which in turn can be used to develop a sustainable and cost-effective microplastic treatment (PET) technology.
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Polyethylene Terepthalate (PET) biodegradation and characterisation of landfill leachate bacteria
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This Icelandic undergraduate thesis reviews PET plastic biodegradation mechanisms and characterizes bacteria isolated from landfill leachate for their ability to degrade PET. The work explores biological pathways for breaking down one of the most widely used plastics, which otherwise accumulates as persistent microplastic pollution.
Bioremediation Potential of Polyethylene Terephthalate Plastic
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This Malay-language review examines the bioremediation potential of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic using bacteria, covering four approaches: biofilm-forming bacteria, biosurfactants, biotransformation enzymes, and consortium cultures. PET's durability, crystallinity, and tendency to fragment into microplastics smaller than 5 mm make it a persistent environmental pollutant, especially in aquatic food chains. The review identifies bacterial bioremediation as a promising strategy for addressing PET waste accumulation.
Examining and identifying bacteria-mediated polyethylene terephthalate bottle waste degradation Byprops
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Researchers isolated Bacillus subtilis from PET plastic waste dump sites and demonstrated that the bacterium can degrade polyethylene terephthalate microplastics over six months, with UV-pretreated PET showing the most pronounced changes including new alkyl aryl ether and alkene groups detected by FTIR and GC-MS. The findings suggest soil bacteria could offer a biodegradable solution for eliminating PET from plastic-contaminated sites.
Biodegradation of Poly(ethylene terephthalate) by Bacillus safensis YX8
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Researchers isolated a PET-degrading bacterial strain, Bacillus safensis YX8, from the surface of plastic waste and demonstrated its ability to break down PET nanoparticles. The study identified the degradation products as terephthalic acid and related compounds, suggesting this bacterium could contribute to environmentally friendly approaches for managing PET plastic waste.
Different aspects of bacterial polyethylene terephthalate biodegradation
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This study reviews how bacteria degrade polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic by breaking it down into terephthalic acid and ethylene glycol through the action of PET hydrolase enzymes. While bacterial biodegradation offers an eco-friendly alternative to landfilling or incineration, limitations such as low enzyme stability and inhibition by degradation intermediates must be overcome through genetic and enzyme engineering.
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When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.