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Degradation of Microplastics in an In Vitro Ruminal Environment

Fermentation 2025 3 citations ? Citation count from OpenAlex, updated daily. May differ slightly from the publisher's own count. Score: 58 ? 0–100 AI score estimating relevance to the microplastics field. Papers below 30 are filtered from public browse.

Valentina Balestra, Valentina Balestra, Valentina Balestra, Valentina Balestra, Valentina Balestra, Valentina Balestra, Valentina Balestra, Valentina Balestra, Valentina Balestra, Valentina Balestra, Valentina Balestra, Valentina Balestra, Marta Fadda Marta Fadda Sonia Tassone, Sara Glorio Patrucco, Marta Fadda Sara Glorio Patrucco, Hatsumi Kaihara, Hatsumi Kaihara, Sonia Tassone, Valentina Balestra, Sonia Tassone, Khalil Abid, Khalil Abid, Stefania Pragliola, Rabeb Issaoui, Salvatore Barbera, Marta Fadda Marta Fadda Hatsumi Kaihara, Valentina Balestra, Khalil Abid, Marta Fadda Salvatore Barbera, Salvatore Barbera, Marta Fadda Hatsumi Kaihara, Valentina Balestra, Hatsumi Kaihara, Salvatore Barbera, Salvatore Barbera, Sara Glorio Patrucco, Salvatore Barbera, Valentina Balestra, Sara Glorio Patrucco, Khalil Abid, Hatsumi Kaihara, Sara Glorio Patrucco, Salvatore Barbera, Khalil Abid, Sara Glorio Patrucco, Marta Fadda Sara Glorio Patrucco, Rabeb Issaoui, Vincenzo Venditto, Valentina Balestra, Valentina Balestra, Stefania Pragliola, Marta Fadda Marta Fadda Valentina Balestra, Hatsumi Kaihara, Khalil Abid, Sonia Tassone, Sonia Tassone, Vincenzo Venditto, Hatsumi Kaihara, Hatsumi Kaihara, Salvatore Barbera, Salvatore Barbera, Khalil Abid, Khalil Abid, Stefania Pragliola, Vincenzo Venditto, Salvatore Barbera, Rabeb Issaoui, Sara Glorio Patrucco, Sonia Tassone, Rabeb Issaoui, Stefania Pragliola, Sonia Tassone, Sonia Tassone, Stefania Pragliola, Sonia Tassone, Sonia Tassone, Marta Fadda Marta Fadda Marta Fadda Vincenzo Venditto, Khalil Abid, Marta Fadda

Summary

Researchers tested whether rumen microbes from cattle could break down common microplastics in a lab setting. They found modest degradation of low-density polyethylene and polyethylene terephthalate over 14 days, particularly with certain bacterial and fungal species. The study suggests that the rumen's microbial community may have limited but real potential to help reduce microplastic pollution in the livestock production chain.

Polymers

LDPE PA PE PET

Study Type In vitro

Microplastic (MP) pollution is an emerging concern in ruminant production, as animals are exposed to MPs through air, water, and feeds. Ruminants play a key role in MP transmission to humans via animal products and contribute to MP return to agricultural soil through excreta. Identifying effective strategies to mitigate MP pollution in the ruminant sector is crucial. A promising yet understudied approach involves the potential ability of rumen microbiota to degrade MPs. This study investigated the in vitro ruminal degradation of three widely distributed MPs—low-density polyethylene (LDPE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and polyamide (PA)—over 24, 48, and 72 h. PET MP exhibited the highest degradation rates (24 h: 0.50 ± 0.070%; 48 h: 0.73 ± 0.057%; and 72 h: 0.96 ± 0.082%), followed by LDPE MP (24 h: 0.03 ± 0.020%; 48 h: 0.25 ± 0.053%; and 72 h: 0.56 ± 0.066%) and PA MP (24 h: 0.10 ± 0.045%; 48 h: 0.02 ± 0.015%; and 72 h: 0.14 ± 0.067%). These findings suggest that the ruminal environment could serve as a promising tool for LDPE, PET, and PA MPs degradation. Further research is needed to elucidate the mechanisms involved, potentially enhancing ruminants’ natural capacity to degrade MPs.

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