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Growth kinetics and biodeterioration of polypropylene microplastics by Bacillus sp. and Rhodococcus sp. isolated from mangrove sediment
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Researchers isolated two bacterial strains from mangrove sediments and tested their ability to break down polypropylene microplastics. Both Bacillus and Rhodococcus bacteria were able to use the plastic as a carbon source for growth, reducing the polymer mass by 4-6% over 40 days. The study provides evidence that naturally occurring soil bacteria have some capacity to biodegrade common microplastics, though the process is slow.
Interest in the biodegradation of microplastics is due to their ubiquitous distribution, availability, high persistence in the environment and deleterious impact on marine biota. The present study evaluates the growth response and mechanism of polypropylene (PP) degradation by Bacillus sp. strain 27 and Rhodococcus sp. strain 36 isolated from mangrove sediments upon exposure to PP microplastics. Both bacteria strains were able to utilise PP microplastic for growth as confirmed by the reduction of the polymer mass. The weight loss was 6.4% by Rhodococcus sp. strain 36 and 4.0% by Bacillus sp. strain 27 after 40days of incubation. PP biodegradation was further confirmed using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy analyses, which revealed structural and morphological changes in the PP microplastics with microbial treatment. These analyses showed that the isolates can colonise, modify and utilise PP microplastics as carbon source.
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Bacterial degradation of polyethylene and polypropylene microplastics in a mangrove ecosystem
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Researchers isolated bacteria from a mangrove ecosystem that can break down polyethylene and polypropylene microplastics, achieving measurable weight loss over 60 days. The bacteria produced enzymes that caused visible surface degradation of the plastic particles, confirmed through microscopy and chemical analysis. While the degradation rates were modest, the study demonstrates that naturally occurring bacteria in coastal environments have the potential to help address microplastic pollution.
Screening for Polypropylene Degradation Potential of Bacteria Isolated from Mangrove Ecosystems in Peninsular Malaysia
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Two bacterial species isolated from mangrove sediments in Malaysia were found to partially degrade polypropylene plastic, as measured by weight loss and surface changes after incubation. Mangrove-associated bacteria capable of degrading plastics could have potential applications in biological plastic remediation.
Isolation and Identification of Four Strains of Bacteria with Potential to Biodegrade Polyethylene and Polypropylene from Mangrove
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Researchers screened mangrove sediment and surface water bacteria for the ability to biodegrade polyethylene and polypropylene microplastics, successfully isolating four candidate strains. The identified bacteria showed measurable plastic degradation activity, highlighting mangrove ecosystems as a source of novel plastic-degrading microorganisms.
Enhanced microbial degradation of PET and PS microplastics under natural conditions in mangrove environment
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Researchers isolated bacteria from microplastic-contaminated mangrove soil and tested their ability to break down PET and polystyrene microplastics under natural conditions. Over 90 days, the microbial consortium achieved an 18% weight loss in the treated microplastics and visibly altered their surface structure. The study suggests that naturally occurring bacteria in polluted environments hold potential for bioremediation of microplastic-contaminated soils.
Degradation of microplastics by formulated bacterial consortium isolated from mangrove areas in Peninsular Malaysia / Iffa Syamimi Rosli
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This study investigated whether bacteria isolated from mangrove sediments in Malaysia could degrade common microplastics under laboratory conditions, finding that bacterial consortia could break down polyethylene and polypropylene over time. The research suggests that mangrove microbial communities may harbor plastic-degrading bacteria relevant to natural bioremediation.
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When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.