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Biodegradation of polypropylene by Paenibacillus sp. and Aeromonas sp. isolated from the Mojo Mangrove Forest Essential Ecosystem Area, Indonesia
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Scientists found two types of bacteria in an Indonesian mangrove forest that can break down polypropylene, a common plastic used in food packaging and other products that often ends up as microplastic pollution in water. In lab tests, these bacteria broke down small amounts of the plastic (about 5-6%) over several months by producing natural enzymes that eat away at the material. While this won't solve microplastic pollution overnight, it's an early step toward using bacteria as a natural cleanup tool for the tiny plastic particles that end up in our water, seafood, and eventually our bodies.
Polypropylene (PP) is a polymer used in various industries because it is lightweight, durable, and easy to process. The presence of polypropylene in aquatic environments will fragment into sizes of 0.05 to 5 mm which causes pollution and disrupts the ecology of mangroves. Isolation of waste-degrading bacteria is one way to address microplastic pollution. This study aims to measure the effectiveness of polypropylene-degrading bacteria isolated from a Mojo mangrove forest. Water and sediment samples were taken from 15 locations, bacterial screening, biodegradation tests using Bushnell Haas media supplemented with polypropylene granules, followed by molecular characterization of the bacteria and enzyme activity testing. Degradation was measured based on the decrease in residual mass, morphological changes, and functional groups in the polymer. Paenibacillus sp. and Aeromonas sp. can degrade polypropylene by 6.41% and 5.22% with a constant of 0.03% and 0.02% per day and a half-life of approximately 228 days and 282 days. FTIR and SEM analysis showed the formation of carbonyl groups and cracks on the PP surface. The bacteria secreted esterase, lipase, and cutinase enzymes at 21.633 U/mL, 12.932 U/mL, and 28.067 U/mL, respectively. Further studies are needed to optimize their biodegradation performance in natural aquatic environments.
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Bioprospecting Evidence of Polyethylene Degrading Bacteria in the Mojo Pemalang Mangrove Rehabilitation Areas
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Researchers conducted bioprospecting in the Mojo Pemalang mangrove rehabilitation areas of Indonesia, identifying bacteria with the capacity to degrade polyethylene microplastics that accumulate in mangrove sediments and inhibit ecosystem recovery. The study provided evidence that PE-degrading bacterial communities are present in these environments, suggesting natural attenuation potential for plastic pollution in mangroves.
Bacterial degradation of polyethylene and polypropylene microplastics in a mangrove ecosystem
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Researchers isolated bacteria from a mangrove ecosystem that can break down polyethylene and polypropylene microplastics, achieving measurable weight loss over 60 days. The bacteria produced enzymes that caused visible surface degradation of the plastic particles, confirmed through microscopy and chemical analysis. While the degradation rates were modest, the study demonstrates that naturally occurring bacteria in coastal environments have the potential to help address microplastic pollution.
Exploration of bacterial communities for low-density polyethylene (LDPE) degradation in the mangrove area of Pamekasan, East Java, Indonesia
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Scientists found bacteria living in mangrove forest mud that can naturally break down LDPE, a common plastic used in bags and packaging that pollutes our oceans and coastlines. The best bacterial strain broke down about 21% of the plastic's weight in lab tests, suggesting these microbes could one day help clean up plastic waste before it breaks into the microplastics that end up in our water, food, and bodies. This is early-stage research, though—it shows promise in a lab setting but doesn't yet offer a ready-to-use pollution solution.
Screening for Polypropylene Degradation Potential of Bacteria Isolated from Mangrove Ecosystems in Peninsular Malaysia
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Two bacterial species isolated from mangrove sediments in Malaysia were found to partially degrade polypropylene plastic, as measured by weight loss and surface changes after incubation. Mangrove-associated bacteria capable of degrading plastics could have potential applications in biological plastic remediation.
Exploring untapped bacterial communities and potential polypropylene-degrading enzymes from mangrove sediment through metagenomics analysis
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Researchers used metagenomics analysis to explore bacterial communities in mangrove sediments that may be capable of breaking down polypropylene plastic. The study compared microbial communities exposed to virgin and chemically pretreated polypropylene over several months. Evidence indicates that certain bacterial taxa in mangrove environments possess enzymes with potential polypropylene-degrading activity, suggesting possible biological pathways for plastic waste remediation.
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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.