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Biodegradation of microplastic by probiotic bifidobacterium
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Researchers found that probiotic Bifidobacterium infantis can biodegrade microplastics, demonstrating a novel microbial approach to addressing plastic pollution using a gut-resident bacterium known for regulating intestinal microbiota.
A growing accumulation of microplastics has become a severe environmental and health issue. Scientific reports on biodegradation of microplastics by microorganisms have sprung up, and these offer a possibility to develop different microbial biodegradation approaches for microplastics. Bifidobacterium infantis is a probiotic commensal heterotrophic anaeorobic bacterium that regulates the intestinal microbiota. In this study, we have comprehensively analysed the probiotic Bifidobacterium infantis microorganism and that is able to degrade polypropylene, which is generally used as synthetic plastic in various atmospheric conditions. Microplastic biodegradation of probiotic bifidobacterium occurs in an aerobic environment and FTIR spectrum of biofilm structure result provides that probiotic bifidobacterium uses polypropylene as an energy and carbon source. The microbial biofilm structure that emerges as a result of biodegradation is a bio-based compound that prevents the growth of pathogenic bacteria. The probiotic bifidobacterial biodegradation of microplastics, which is a global environmental problem threatening human health, is promising.
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This review describes how micro- and nanoplastics may affect the digestive tract, including the gut microbiota, digestive enzymes and the mucus layer. The authors compared probiotic genomes with known plastic degraders and found no probiotic able to degrade plastic. They discuss probiotics instead for effects on microbial diversity, the gut barrier and inflammation.
Identification of plastic-degrading bacteria in the human gut
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Scientists discovered bacteria in the human gut that can break down common plastics like polyethylene and polypropylene, though all the plastic-degrading species identified were opportunistic pathogens. The bacteria could physically and chemically alter plastic surfaces but only achieved limited depolymerization. This finding raises the question of whether microplastic exposure in the gut could promote the growth of potentially harmful bacteria while they attempt to digest the plastic.
Gut microbiota, a key to understanding the knowledge gaps on micro-nanoplastics-related biological effects and biodegradation
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This review explores how micro- and nanoplastics affect the community of microorganisms living in the gut, and how those same gut microbes might be able to break down plastic particles. Swallowed microplastics can disrupt the balance of gut bacteria, potentially leading to various diseases. On the other hand, some gut bacteria can actually degrade plastics into smaller, less harmful molecules, opening a possible avenue for biological cleanup.
A probiotic for preventing microplastic toxicity: Clostridium dalinum mitigates microplastic-induced damage via microbiota-metabolism-barrier interactions
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Using metagenomics and metabolomics, this study found that the probiotic bacterium Clostridium dalinum reduced microplastic-induced gut damage in mice by modulating gut microbiota composition, metabolic pathways, and intestinal barrier integrity.
In Vitro Evaluation of Polypropylene Microplastics Biodegradation Potential by the Probiotic Bifidobacterium Species
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In a lab test, three probiotic Bifidobacterium strains were exposed to polypropylene plastic. One strain, B. longum BCMC 02120, reduced the plastic's mass by 86.7% over 30 days and showed signs of surface damage and bacterial colonization, though further research is needed to confirm these findings.
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