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Biodegradation potential of polypropylene by jellyfish nematocyst protein
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Researchers extracted protein from jellyfish nematocysts (stinging capsules) and found it could degrade polypropylene plastic under laboratory conditions, reducing its mass and altering its surface structure. The findings identify a novel biological source of plastic-degrading proteins with potential biotechnological applications.
Abstract Plastic pollution is one of the major global problems and a serious anthropogenic concern in coastal and marine ecosystems. Increased accumulation of plastics into the aquatic environment by anthropogenic sources results in disruption of the aquatic ecosystem and functions. Several variables impact biodegradation, ranging from microbe species to polymer type, physicochemical qualities, and environmental circumstances. In the present study, the nematocyst protein was isolated and extracted from the lyophilized nematocyst samples using three different mediums such as distilled water, PBS, and seawater. The total protein content of venom proteins was 39 mg/mL. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the interaction of venom protein with polypropylene and had the ability to breakdown potential was studied using ATR-IR, phase contrast bright-dark field microscopic, and scanning electron microscopy studies. Results suggest that the jellyfish nematocysts protein has the ability to break down potential polypropylene material without any external physicochemical process.
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Mechanism of nanoplastics capture by jellyfish mucin and its potential as a sustainable water treatment technology
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Researchers investigated how jellyfish mucus from Aurelia sp. captures nanoplastics and compared its efficiency to conventional water treatment coagulants. The study found that jellyfish mucin effectively captures polystyrene and acrylic nanoplastics from wastewater treatment plant effluent, suggesting it could serve as a sustainable, bio-based technology for removing nanoplastic contamination from water.
Microbial degradation of polypropylene.
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Researchers isolated bacteria from seawater and screened them for the ability to degrade polypropylene, using weight loss measurements and SEM analysis to evaluate degradation potential. The isolate with the strongest polypropylene degradation activity was identified as Stenotrophomonas sp., demonstrating a safe and convenient microbial pathway for breaking down this common microplastic polymer.
Sequestration of Polystyrene Microplastics by Jellyfish Mucus
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Jellyfish mucus was tested as a bioflocculent for removing polystyrene microplastics from water, and it successfully aggregated and settled plastic particles through physical entrapment and electrostatic interactions, demonstrating a novel nature-inspired approach to microplastic capture that could complement conventional water treatment methods.
Evaluation of polystyrene nanoplastic removal from aquatic environments and antibacterial activity against various harmful bacteria using jellyfish extract
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Researchers found that immune-response extract from moon jellyfish effectively captured polystyrene nanoplastics from water at removal rates up to nearly 90% and showed antibacterial activity against six harmful pathogens, though concentrations above 0.01 mg/mL may alter aquatic bacterial communities and require careful management.
Review on plastic wastes in marine environment – Biodegradation and biotechnological solutions
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Researchers reviewed plastic biodegradation in the marine environment, cataloguing microbial communities that colonize plastic surfaces and the enzymes they produce, while highlighting biotechnological strategies — including enzyme engineering and biofilm optimization — as necessary complements to physical and chemical approaches for reducing micro- and nanoplastic contamination.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.