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Degradation ability of Trichoderma spp. in the presence of poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) microparticles
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Researchers found that the soil fungus Trichoderma can partially break down PBAT, a popular biodegradable plastic, by detecting the breakdown product terephthalic acid after exposure. However, the presence of microplastics reduced the fungus's ability to degrade common agricultural pesticides. This suggests that microplastic contamination in soil could interfere with natural pollution cleanup processes carried out by beneficial soil microorganisms.
Investigating the effects of microplastics remains a pertinent issue given the extensive biodiversity of exposed organisms, variations in the mechanisms of action among individual polymers, and their reliance on environmental conditions. Therefore, the objective of the study was to investigate some interactions of the popular biodegradable plastic poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) on some aspects of the physiology of filamentous fungi Trichoderma spp., integral components of the soil microbiome known for promoting plant growth and aiding in pollution remediation. In the two Trichoderma strains examined, a positive influence on fungal growth was observed in the presence of microplastics (MPs). The capability to degrade MPs with the involvement of cytochrome P450 monooxygenases was confirmed through the detection of terephthalic acid (TPA) in postculture extractions. Additionally, inhibition of degradative activity in the presence of MPs was observed for metolachlor (MET) and 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D). Moreover, biodegradation pathways with the involvement several dechlorinated or hydroxylated metabolites were proposed for examined compunds. Concentration-dependent shifts in oxidative stress enzymes activity and slight modifications in phospholipid profiles were noted for the tested PBAT concentrations. In summary, this study enhances our understanding of PBAT's impact on the physiology of filamentous fungal and their degradative capacities important for mitigating environmental pollution by xenobiotics and plastics. • The toxicity of PBAT microparticles is concentration-dependent. • Fungi show varying levels of sensitivity in different culturing conditions. • Trichoderma sp. is capable of degrading PBAT. • The presence of PBAT can impact the herbicide degradation process. • Trichoderma sp. is able to absorb microplastic into cells.
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When LDPE microplastics and the herbicide metolachlor were both present in soil, the soil fungus Trichoderma harzianum showed altered membrane lipid composition but continued to break down the herbicide at normal rates. This suggests that while microplastics can stress soil microorganisms, they may not always impair the soil's ability to degrade agricultural chemicals — an important finding for understanding how plastic pollution affects farmland ecosystem function.
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