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Assessing the Biodegradation of Low-Density Polyethylene Films by Candida tropicalis SLNEA04 and Rhodotorula mucilaginosa SLNEA05
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Researchers assessed whether Candida tropicalis yeast could biodegrade low-density polyethylene (LDPE) plastic films under laboratory conditions, measuring weight loss, surface changes, and chemical degradation markers. Limited but measurable biodegradation occurred, suggesting potential for yeast-based plastic remediation.
Environmental pollution resulting from the accumulation of plastic waste poses a major ecological challenge. Biodegradation of these polymers relies on microorganisms capable of decomposing them, generally through the biodeterioration, biofragmentation, assimilation, and mineralization stages. This study evaluates the contribution and efficacy of indigenous soil yeasts isolated from a northeastern Algerian landfill in degrading low-density polyethylene (LDPE) plastic bag films. Candida tropicalis SLNEA04 and Rhodotorula mucilaginosa SLNEA05 were identified through internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and large subunit ribosomal RNA gene sequencing. These isolates were then tested for their ability to biodegrade LDPE films and utilized as the sole carbon source in vitro in a mineral salt medium (MSM). The biodegradation effect was examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), attenuated total reflectance–Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction (XRD). After 30 days of incubation at 25 °C, a significant weight loss was observed compared to the control for both cultures: 7.60% and 5.53% for C. tropicalis and R. mucilaginosa, respectively. SEM analysis revealed morphological alterations, including cracks and holes, ATR-FTIR detected new functional groups (alcohols, alkynes, aldehydes, alkenes and ketones), while XRD identified changes in the polymer crystallinity and phase composition. These findings underscore the potential of the two yeast isolates in LDPE biodegradation, offering promising insights for future environmental applications.
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Researchers discovered that the marine yeast Rhodotorula mucilaginosa can degrade and assimilate polyethylene, reducing plastic mass, altering surface chemistry, and incorporating plastic-derived carbon into cellular lipids, suggesting a biological pathway for ocean plastic breakdown.
Low-Density Polyethylene Film Biodegradation Potential by Fungal Species from Thailand
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Thirty fungal species from Thailand were screened for low-density polyethylene biodegradation ability, with several showing measurable weight loss and surface modification of PE films over a 90-day incubation period, and Aspergillus and Trichoderma species among the most effective degraders, supporting further development of fungal-based plastic bioremediation.
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Researchers isolated an indigenous Candida tropicalis yeast strain and demonstrated its ability to degrade PET microplastics in batch experiments, measuring degradation through optical density, weight loss, and biofilm formation — and confirming that metabolic byproducts were not toxic to tilapia.
Low-density polyethylene (LDPE) film degradation potential of marine fungi isolated from microplastics, beach sand, and coastal seawater
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Researchers collected fungi from beach sand, seawater, and microplastic pieces in Kuşadası, Turkey, then tested them on plastic (LDPE) film in the lab. One fungus, Cladosporium sp., caused the most weight loss and visible surface changes in the plastic after 45 days, suggesting it may break down this plastic type.
The Potential of Marine Yeast and Its Interaction with Mold in Degrading High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE)
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In a lab test over 30 days, marine yeast alone or combined with mold broke down small amounts of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) plastic sheets. The best result, about 4.9% breakdown, came from a yeast and mold combination, close to yeast alone at 4.17%. Microscope images showed biofilm growth on the plastic in all test groups.
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