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Synergistic effect of biochar and Phanerochaete chrysosporium regulating biofilm to promote microplastics degradation during composting
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Researchers found that combining sawdust biochar with the white-rot fungus Phanerochaete chrysosporium synergistically enhanced polyethylene microplastic degradation during composting by boosting fungal colonization, oxidative enzyme activity, and biofilm formation on MP surfaces.
This study aimed to explore the impact of sawdust biochar (T2), Phanerochaete chrysosporium (PC, T3), and their mixtures (T4) on the polyethylene microplastics (PE-MPs) degradation and related mechanisms during composting, the treatment without addition was regarded as control (T1). Results showed that compared with the control, adding biochar, PC and their mixture could reduce the PE-MPs abundance from 27,833 to 17,267-22600 items/kg, and the minimum value was observed in T4. Meanwhile, the pronounced surface cracks, highest carbon loss and carbonyl index observed in T4 also confirmed this result. Additionally, adding the mixture of biochar and PC optimized composting environments and selectively enriched bacteria on PE-MPs biofilms, especially NS9_marine_group, main contributor to the PE-MPs degradation with 0-200 μm and 1000-3000 μm. Furthermore, the application of combined amendments enhanced connectivity between PE-MPs and microorganisms, thus benefiting PE-MPs degradation. These findings provide new insights into MPs reduction in compost and a theoretical basis for the safe recycling of organic wastes.
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Phanerochaete chrysosporium hyphae bio-crack, endocytose and metabolize plastic films
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Researchers mapped the complete mineralization pathway of polyethylene plastic film by white rot fungus Phanerochaete chrysosporium, showing that the fungus first colonizes the film using plastic additives as carbon sources, then secretes enzymes that crack and oxidize the polymer, before sub-microplastic fragments enter fungal cells for final breakdown via beta-oxidation.
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Researchers tested four microbial consortia — including Aspergillus-only and fungal-bacterial co-cultures — against plastic mulch films under varying carbon and compost conditions, finding that fungal treatments accelerated low-density polyethylene degradation more than bacterial ones and that UV pre-aging improved microbial colonization, while the PBAT-PLA blend proved slower to degrade than expected across all treatments.
An integrated metagenomic model to uncover the cooperation between microbes and magnetic biochar during microplastics degradation in paddy soil
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Researchers used magnetic biochar in an advanced oxidation system in paddy soil to investigate whether microbes cooperate with free radicals in degrading polyethylene and PVC microplastics, finding that microbial-biochar synergy enhances microplastic breakdown in flooded soil conditions.
Enhancing microplastics biodegradation during composting using livestock manure biochar
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Researchers tested whether adding livestock manure biochar to composting systems could enhance the breakdown of biodegradable microplastics. They found that biochar significantly accelerated the decomposition of polyhydroxyalkanoate microplastics by enriching beneficial microbial communities and improving composting conditions. The study suggests that biochar-enhanced composting could be a practical strategy for reducing biodegradable microplastic contamination in organic waste.
Elucidating polyethylene and polypropylene microplastics degradation mechanisms and metabolic pathways via pectin-biochar mediated fungal consortia
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Researchers tested two novel fungal consortia (including Aspergillus niger and Cunninghamella elegans) combined with pectin-biochar beads to degrade polyethylene and polypropylene microplastics in water over 30 days, finding enhanced degradation rates compared to fungi alone with metabolic pathway analysis revealing oxidation as the primary breakdown mechanism.
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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.