We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Characterization of bacterial communities responsible for bioplastics degradation during the thermophilic and the maturation phases of composting
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers tracked bacterial community succession on four bioplastic types during lab-scale composting, finding that plastisphere microbial profiles diverged substantially from bulk compost and were partly polymer-specific, with genera such as Streptomyces and Pseudomonas enriched as potential bioplastic degraders particularly during the thermophilic phase.
Bioplastic waste may play a key role in shaping the microbial communities in composting environment. The present study aims to determine the possible influence of bioplastics on microbial structure of aerobic organic waste treatments and to assess the evolution of microbial community during thermophilic and maturation phases of composting, comparing microorganisms in compost and attached on bioplastics surface. Composting process was simulated in a 2-month lab-scale test. Mater-Bi®, PBAT, PLA and LDPE were considered as benchmark. A qualitative screening was done with DGGE, and then the bacterial community profile was disclosed with 16S rRNA amplicon analysis. The 16S rRNA profile in bioplastics-associated communities was found to largely differed from that of the initial compost (positive control). Moreover, as expected, during the thermophilic phase there was a prevalence of better heat-resistant phyla compared to the mesophilic phase. Some specialists were found to be plastic nature dependent, in particular Streptomyces, Pseudomonas, Aeribacillus, Schlegellela and Cohnella were among the most abundant genera. Finally, to select bacterial species capable of growing on the tested bioplastics, an enrichment method was applied. The method disclosed the possibility to culture some specific bioplastics degrading species, opening the frontiers for bioaugmentation practice in industrial composting.
More Papers Like This
The Polymer-Plastisphere-Function Nexus Links to Divergent Biodegradation of Microplastics During Composting.
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers found a fundamental dichotomy in microplastic biodegradation during thermophilic composting, where biodegradable polymers (PLA, PBS, PBAT) underwent rapid degradation driven by selective microbial community assembly shaped by polymer chemistry, while conventional plastics resisted breakdown despite similar composting conditions.
Large-scale omics dataset of polymer degradation provides robust interpretation for microbial niche and succession on different plastisphere
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers generated a large-scale microbiome and metabolome dataset from five biodegradable polymer types, revealing that microbial communities converge to polymer-specific compositions during degradation and follow distinct succession stages from initial colonization through biofilm formation.
Bacterial Dynamics During the Degradation of Starch-based Bioplastic and Oxo- degradable Plastic in Compost Soil
AI summary Read the abstract
This study monitored how bacterial communities in soil changed during the degradation of starch-based bioplastic and oxo-degradable plastic buried in compost soil. Different plastic types selected for distinct bacterial communities, highlighting the variable microbial response to different types of plastic degradation in soil.
Effects of Inoculum Source and Incubation Temperature on Bacterial Community Structure and Predicted Functional Potential Associated with Polylactic Acid (PLA) Degradation
AI summary Read the abstract
Scientists found that different compost microbe sources and temperatures change which bacteria break down PLA, a common "biodegradable" plastic used in food packaging and utensils. Hotter compost conditions worked better and favored different bacteria than room-temperature setups. This matters because it helps identify which microbes and conditions actually break down these plastics, informing better composting practices and reducing plastic waste that could otherwise persist in the environment.
The bifunctional impact of polylactic acid microplastics on composting processes and soil-plant systems: Dynamics of microbial communities and ecological niche competition
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers investigated how polylactic acid microplastics affect microbial communities during composting and the subsequent impact on soil and plants. They found that the microplastics played a dual role, suppressing some bacterial groups while promoting others depending on the composting phase, and shifted the core microbial network from bacterial to fungal dominance during stabilization. The study indicates that composting as a disposal method for biodegradable plastics can transfer microplastic-driven microbial changes to soil, causing oxidative stress in plants.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.