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Apparent weight loss and surface modification of household waste-derived mixed PE/PP microplastics by Bacillus pumilus and fungal isolates
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Scientists found certain bacteria and fungi can visibly break down and roughen the surface of common plastic waste (from grocery bags and containers) in the lab, showing promise for cleaning up microplastic pollution. However, the plastic wasn't fully destroyed, just changed on the surface, so more research is needed before this becomes a real-world solution to reduce the microplastics we're exposed to in food, water, and air.
Microplastics are persistent contaminants of terrestrial and aquatic environments, creating a need for carefully validated remediation approaches. This laboratory study examined apparent weight loss and surface modification of household waste-derived mixed polyethylene/polypropylene (PE/PP) microplastics by Bacillus pumilus , Aspergillus niger , and Trichoderma harzianum . The isolates were incubated separately in carbon-deficient mineral salt medium containing microplastics as the only added carbon source. Apparent gravimetric weight loss, microbial growth, and pH were assessed, and Bacillus pumilus -treated particles were further examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Bacillus pumilus produced the numerically greatest apparent weight loss (40.0% ± 1.1%), followed by Aspergillus niger (30.0% ± 1.0%) and Trichoderma harzianum (20.0% ± 1.0%); however, the overall comparison was not statistically significant (one-way ANOVA, p = 0.243). SEM demonstrated surface roughening, pits, and cracks, while XRD showed lower relative crystallinity in treated particles (48% ± 3%) than in the untreated control (65% ± 2%). FTIR demonstrated spectral changes consistent with oxidative surface modification. The bacterial isolate was placed within the Bacillus pumilus group by 16S rRNA analysis, and preliminary liquid and calcium-alginate formulations were prepared. Because the substrate was a mixed PE/PP fraction and the analytical endpoints did not directly measure mineralization or molecular-weight reduction, the findings are interpreted as laboratory-scale apparent weight loss and polymer-associated surface and structural modification rather than complete biodegradation.
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