We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Polyurethane biodegradation by Serratia sp. HY-72 isolated from the intestine of the Asian mantis Hierodula patellifera
Summary
Researchers isolated a bacterium, Serratia sp. HY-72, from the gut of an Asian mantis and identified a lipase enzyme capable of breaking down polyurethane plastic, demonstrating that insect-associated microbes could offer a promising biological approach to plastic degradation.
Polyurethane (PU), currently replacing existing synthetic materials worldwide, is a synthetic polymer derived from polyols, isocyanates, and a chain extender added by condensation reactions. PU wastes which are difficult to recycle, are commonly discarded in landfills and flow into ecosystems, thereby causing serious environmental problems. In recent years, insect-associated microbes have become a promising, eco-friendly strategy as an alternative to plastic recycling. This study aimed to evaluate the potential of Serratia sp. HY-72 strain isolated from the intestine of the Asian mantis (Hierodula patellifera) for PU degradation. The 65 kDa family I.3 lipase which degrades PU was identified and characterized, with a specific activity of 2,883 U mg-1. The bacterial filtrates and the recombinant lipase degraded Impranil (a colloidal polyester-PU dispersion, 100 g l-1) by 85.24 and 78.35% after 72 h incubation, respectively. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis revealed changes in Impranil functional groups, with decreased C=O functional group and aliphatic chain signals, and increased N-H bending with C-N stretching and C-O stretching. The current study also revealed that the HY-72 strain biodegraded the commercial PU foams (polyester- and polyether- PU) with 23.95 and 10.95% weight loss after 2 weeks, respectively with changes in surface morphology and structure such as cracks, roughness, and surface roughening. Altogether, this is one of the few studies reporting biodegradation of PU by the insect-associated microbe. These findings suggest that the insect-associated microbe could be a promising resource for biodegradation and recycling of plastic waste.
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
Mechanisms and Perspectives of Microplastic Biodegradation by Insects and Their Associated Microorganisms
This review examined how insects and their gut microbiota contribute to microplastic biodegradation, summarizing known degradation mechanisms and the microorganisms involved. The authors found that several insect species harbor gut bacteria capable of depolymerizing common plastics like polystyrene and polyethylene, though degradation rates remain too slow for practical remediation at scale.
Plastic biodegradation: Frontline microbes and their enzymes
Researchers reviewed microbial biodegradation of synthetic plastics — including PE, PP, PS, and PET — cataloguing the insects, bacteria, and fungi capable of breaking down these polymers along with the enzymatic mechanisms involved, and outlining paths forward including metabolic pathway engineering and molecular cloning to improve degradation rates.
Enhanced biodegradation of microplastic and phthalic acid ester plasticizer: The role of gut microorganisms in black soldier fly larvae
Researchers discovered that black soldier fly larvae can biodegrade microplastics and phthalate plasticizers, with their gut microorganisms playing a key role in the breakdown process. The study found that the larvae's digestive bacteria enhanced the degradation of both contaminants, suggesting that insect-based bioprocessing could offer a novel approach to addressing plastic pollution.
Plastic biodegradation by in vitro environmental microorganisms and in vivo gut microorganisms of insects
Researchers reviewed seven years of studies on plastic biodegradation by environmental microorganisms and insect gut microbes. The study found that while microbial degradation in environmental conditions is extremely slow, certain insects can biodegrade plastics like polystyrene and polyethylene at much faster rates, likely through gut microbe-dependent processes.
Polyurethane degradation by extracellular urethanase producing bacterial isolate Moraxella catarrhalis strain BMPPS3.
A soil bacterium, Moraxella catarrhalis strain BMPPS3, was found capable of degrading polyurethane plastic, achieving 67% weight reduction in 30 days. The discovery of naturally occurring bacteria that break down plastics offers potential for biological remediation of polyurethane waste, which is widely used in construction, furniture, and automotive applications.