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Molecular identification of ascidian-associated fungi with LDPE-degrading potential from the Karimunjawa waters
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Scientists studying marine life near Indonesia's Karimunjawa Islands discovered that fungi living on sea creatures called ascidians (small filter-feeding animals) can break down LDPE plastic — the type used in grocery bags and food packaging. One fungus in particular, a newly identified strain of Aspergillus, showed the most promise for eating away at this plastic over a 21-day test period. This matters because plastic pollution in our oceans eventually breaks down into microplastics that end up in seafood and drinking water, posing potential risks to human health. While these fungi won't solve plastic pollution overnight, they
Abstract The Karimunjawa Islands are one of the marine conservation areas in Indonesia that are inseparable from the problem of marine debris. Plastic is the most dominant waste in the waters and is difficult to decompose. On the other hand, Ascidians are marine animals that have associations with fungi, so these fungi may be able to digest plastic. This study aims to identify Ascidian-associated fungi and determine the possibility of Ascidian-associated fungi in degrading LDPE (Low-Density Polyethylene) plastic quantitatively. This study was conducted from August to December 2024 using descriptive exploratory and laboratory experimental methods. Isolation and purification of fungi using Malt Extract Agar (MEA) media. The Ascidian species found were Eudistoma sp., Phallusia sp., Didemnum sp., Rhopalaea sp., and Atriolum robustum which produced 22 isolates namely Aspergillus sp., Penicillium sp., Xeromyces sp., Rhizopus sp., Paecilomyces sp., and Trichoderma sp. with the most dominant fungal isolate being Aspergillus sp. Plastic degradation tests of the potential of fungi on PDB media were made after 21 days found that all isolates have the potential as LDPE plastic biodegraders ranging from 0.40% until 5.16%. It is known that the sample came from the Ascidian species Eudistoma sp. which was collected from Menjangan Besar Island. Based on the results of macroscopic and microscopic identification, the sample belongs to the genus Aspergillus and the results of molecular identification showed that the sample has a match with the species Aspergillus subramanianii with percent similarity of 99.51%.
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