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Biodegradation of synthetic plastics by the extracellular lipase of Aspergillus niger
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Researchers produced a lipase enzyme from the common fungus Aspergillus niger using agricultural waste and tested its ability to break down three types of plastic. The enzyme caused measurable weight loss in polyethylene, PET, and polystyrene samples, and microscopy confirmed physical degradation of the plastic surfaces. The study suggests that fungal enzymes could serve as an environmentally friendly tool for breaking down plastic waste.
A rapid increase in plastic pollution is a major threat to the environment. One intriguing group of enzymes that can act as biocatalysts for the breakdown of polymers is lipase. This study reports the production of lipase from Aspergillus niger MG654699.1 utilizing agro-industrial residue (wheat bran) through solid-state fermentation. The produced lipase showed 176.55 U/mL of activity, 7.18 mg/mL of protein content, and 24.60 U/mg of specific activity under the optimal conditions of 37°C and pH 7.0. The biocatalytic activity of 30 KDa lipase resulted in 3.8%, 3.6%, and 5% weight loss of PE (polyethylene), PET (polyethylene terephthalate), and PS (polystyrene), respectively. Application of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) confirmed the lipase-mediated deterioration of treated polymer samples. The alterations in functional groups and surface structures of the samples showed the chemical and physical impact of the applied enzyme. The findings of this study showed that lipase can be employed as an eco-friendly and green biocatalyst for effective depolymerization and deterioration of environmental plastic waste.
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Determination of Biodegradation Potential of Aspergillus niger, Candida albicans, and Acremonium sclerotigenum on Polyethylene, Polyethylene Terephthalate, and Polystyrene Microplastics
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Researchers tested the ability of three fungal species to biodegrade polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, and polystyrene microplastics over 30 days. Aspergillus niger showed the strongest degradation of polyethylene with 16% weight loss, while other fungi performed better on different plastic types. The study demonstrates that fungal biodegradation is a promising approach for breaking down common microplastics, as confirmed by visible surface changes and chemical alterations in the treated plastics.
Hydrolytic Degradation of Polyethylene Terephthalate by Cutinase Enzyme Derived from Fungal Biomass–Molecular Characterization
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Researchers isolated cutinase and lipase enzymes from Aspergillus tamarii and Penicillium crustosum fungi and demonstrated their ability to catalyze hydrolytic degradation of PET plastic, offering a potential biological route for plastic waste breakdown.
Application of fungal microorganisms for the degradation “in vitro” of synthetic polymers
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Researchers tested six fungal species for their ability to degrade high-density and low-density polyethylene in laboratory conditions, finding that all produced detectable degradation effects. Fungal biodegradation of polyethylene could help address the accumulation of this common plastic before it fragments into microplastics.
Fungal Enzymes Involved in Plastics Biodegradation
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Researchers reviewed the current literature on fungal enzymes capable of degrading various types of plastic polymers. The study cataloged different enzyme classes including laccases, peroxidases, and cutinases, describing their characteristics and efficacy against specific plastics. Evidence indicates that fungi offer a promising biological approach to plastic biodegradation due to their diverse array of enzymes specialized in breaking down recalcitrant substances.
Biodegradation of plastics waste using fungi: A review
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This review assessed fungal biodegradation of plastic waste, highlighting species such as Aspergillus spp. and Penicillium spp. that produce specific enzymes capable of breaking down synthetic polymers, positioning fungal pathways as a promising biological approach to plastic waste remediation.
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