Dark septate endophytes : A review potential of fungi from mangrove roots (Rhizophora sp) in microplastic biodegradation

Abstract Dark septate endophytes fungi (DSE) are endophytic fungi that live by colonizing plant tissue in the root part, generally not pathogenic. DSE is located between the epidermis and cortex cells, has melanin septate hyphae and microsclerotia. Several studies have shown that DSE can increase host growth and nutrient acquisition, and increase plant tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses, playing a role in pollutant biodegradation. DSE can be isolated from various types of plants to obtain various potentials that can be developed according to the plant’s tolerance to biotic and abiotic environmental stresses. One of the plants that has great potential to degrade pollutants in the mangrove ecosystem is the mangrove plant ( Rhizophora sp.). The abundance of microplastics (MP) is one of the anthropogenic pollutants that increasingly dominates environmental pollution, including in the mangrove ecosystem area. Mangrove plants ( Rhizophora sp.) have the potential to accumulate microplastics through their roots, but the long-term impact on the ecosystem and mangrove biota is still a problem that needs to be addressed. Further exploration and experimentation are needed to obtain DSE from mangrove plants that have the potential in the process of microplastic biodegradation. Data and information related to findings in future research may be used for the development of DSE-based bioremediation technology to overcome microplastic problems in coastal environments, as well as support the achievement of SDGs goals related to marine ecosystem conservation and sustainable development.