We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Surface adhesion and multienzyme pathways drive low-density polyethylene microplastic biodegradation by soil bacteria
Summary
Researchers identified two soil bacteria — Rhodococcus koreensis MFB1 and Gordonia hongkongensis MFB5 — capable of degrading low-density polyethylene microplastics by 13.3% and 12.2% weight reduction over 30 days, with laccase activity, surface hydrophobicity, and multienzyme pathways including alkane monooxygenases and beta-oxidation enzymes driving the degradation.
Low-density polyethylene (LDPE) microplastics (MPs) are persistent pollutants posing significant ecological risks. While biodegradation offers a sustainable solution, the underlying bacterial adhesion and enzymatic mechanisms remain poorly defined. This study reports the first identification and characterization of Rhodococcus koreensis MFB1 and Gordonia hongkongensis MFB5 isolated from agricultural soil as LDPE‐degrading bacteria. After 30 days, R. koreensis MFB1 and G. hongkongensis MFB5 achieved 13.34% and 12.21% (w/w) LDPE MP weight reduction, respectively. Scanning electron microscopy revealed surface changes and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy confirmed oxidative degradation through the formation of carbonyl groups. R. koreensis MFB1, with higher cell surface hydrophobicity and more extensive biofilm formation, exhibited a faster degradation rate (k = 0.0045 day⁻¹) and shorter half-life (155.69 days) than G. hongkongensis MFB5 (k = 0.0040 day⁻¹, t1/2 = 172.42 days). ABTS assays showed time-dependent extracellular laccase activity that correlates with LDPE weight loss, establishing laccase as a key catalyst for initial LDPE oxidation. GhostKOALA and KEGG Mapper genome annotation revealed a conserved LDPE‐catabolic module in both strains, comprising alkane monooxygenases, alcohol/aldehyde dehydrogenases, β-oxidation enzymes, and strain-specific multicopper oxidases. By integrating adhesion properties, kinetic modeling, enzyme activity, and pathways reconstruction, this study advances the mechanistic understanding of LDPE biodegradation for sustainable plastic bioremediation.
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
Exploitation of bacterial strains for microplastics (LDPE) biodegradation
Researchers tested five bacterial strains for their ability to biodegrade low-density polyethylene microplastics over four months. Pseudomonas aeruginosa showed the most significant degradation with an 18.2% weight loss, followed by Bacillus subtilis at 16.1%. The study demonstrates that naturally occurring soil bacteria can break down polyethylene microplastics, suggesting a potential biological approach to addressing plastic waste pollution.
A community of marine bacteria with potential to biodegrade petroleum-based and biobased microplastics
Researchers showed that a consortium of marine bacteria could partially biodegrade both conventional low-density polyethylene and biobased polyethylene terephthalate microplastic films over 45 days, with spectroscopic and chemical evidence confirming surface changes and early-stage degradation.
Promoting bacterial colonization and biofilm formation for enhanced biodegradation of low-density polyethylene microplastics
Four bacterial strains isolated from marine plastic debris — including Bacillus cereus and Micrococcus luteus — were shown to form biofilms on low-density polyethylene and produce biosurfactants, with biofilm promotion strategies enhancing polyethylene biodegradation rates.
Microorganism-Based Bioremediation Approach for Plastics and Microplastics Wastes
Soil bacteria were isolated and screened for plastic-degrading capacity, with one of five isolates showing the highest low-density polyethylene (LDPE) degradation, demonstrating that soil-derived actinobacteria and other bacteria can contribute to bioremediation of plastic waste.
Microplastics under siege: Biofilm-forming marine bacteria from the microplastisphere and their role in plastic degradation
Researchers isolated and screened bacteria from microplastics collected along coastal beaches of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands to assess their ability to degrade plastic. One bacterial strain achieved over 10% degradation of low-density polyethylene, with surface analysis confirming physical breakdown of the plastic. The study suggests that naturally occurring marine bacteria colonizing microplastics may play a role in plastic biodegradation in ocean environments.