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3D-Bioprinted Marine Bacteria for the Degradation of Polyhydroxybutyrate Bioplastics
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Researchers developed 3D-bioprinted 'bio-stickers' embedding a halotolerant, bioplastic-degrading marine bacterium in alginate-based ink and demonstrated that the living material degrades polyhydroxybutyrate bioplastics for over three weeks, with tunable degradation rates and reusability across fresh bioplastic samples.
The severe, long-lasting harm caused by plastic pollution to marine ecosystems and coastal economies has led to the development of biodegradable plastics; however, their limited decomposition in marine environments remains a challenge. Here, technologies are presented for creating 3D-bioprinted living materials as a proof of concept for bioplastic degradation, with specific use in marine environments. The approach developed here integrates the halotolerant bioplastic-degrading bacterium Bacillus sp. NRRL B-14911 into alginate-based bio-ink to print an engineered living material (ELM) termed a “bio-sticker.” Quantification of bacteria viability reveals that bioprinted marine bacteria survive within biostickers for more than 3 weeks. The rate at which the biostickers degrade the bioplastic polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) can be tuned by altering biosticker biomass concentration, bioplastic concentration, or incubation temperature. Biostickers that are transferred to a different PHB sample still retain high biodegradation activity, demonstrating their reusability. Strain sweep oscillatory tests demonstrate that the biostickers display predominantly viscoelastic behavior. Monotonic tensile tests indicate that the elastic modulus and the adhesion of the biostickers are not negatively impacted by bacteria growth or incubation temperature. This work paves the way for the development of ELMs to facilitate the inclusion of bioplastics within the blue economy, promoting the emergence of more sustainable and eco-friendly materials.
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3D-bioprinted marine bacteria for the degradation of bioplastics
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Despite its title referencing bioplastics, this paper studies the engineering of 3D-printed living materials containing bacteria that can break down biodegradable plastic (PHB) in marine environments — not microplastic pollution from conventional plastics. It examines how bacteria-embedded gel stickers degrade bioplastics in cold saltwater conditions and is not directly relevant to microplastic contamination or human health impacts.
Insights into the biodegradation of polyhydroxyalkanoates by the tropical marine isolate, Nocardiopsis dassonvillei NCIM 5124
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Researchers characterized a PHB depolymerase enzyme from the marine bacterium Nocardiopsis dassonvillei and demonstrated the organism's ability to degrade poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) films and copolymers, marking the first report of high-efficiency PHB degradation by this species and suggesting its potential for managing biodegradable plastic waste.
Bioplastics against Microplastics: Screening of Environmental Bacteria for Bioplastics Production
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Researchers screened environmental bacteria for their ability to produce polyhydroxyalkanoate bioplastics, which are biodegradable alternatives to conventional petroleum-based plastics. Developing efficient bioplastic-producing strains is one strategy to reduce the long-term accumulation of persistent microplastics in the environment.
Microbial degradation of polypropylene microplastics and concomitant polyhydroxybutyrate production: An integrated bioremediation approach with metagenomic insights
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Researchers isolated microbial consortia capable of degrading polypropylene microplastics, achieving weight losses of up to 17.8% after 30 days of incubation. The most effective consortium also produced polyhydroxybutyrate, a biodegradable plastic alternative, while breaking down the polypropylene. Metagenomic analysis revealed abundant carbohydrate-active enzymes and oxidation pathways, suggesting an integrated bioremediation approach that simultaneously degrades plastic waste and generates a useful bioplastic.
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Researchers found that clinically important bacteria colonized submicron-sized bioplastic particles in both seawater and sediment and showed biochemical stress responses to the bioplastics. The ability of pathogens to form biofilms on bioplastic surfaces in marine environments raises concerns that bioplastics, like conventional plastics, could act as vectors for disease-causing microorganisms.
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