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Biodegradation of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) by Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus oryzae
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This study assessed the ability of two Aspergillus species—A. niger and A. oryzae—to biodegrade low-density polyethylene (LDPE) strips in minimal salt medium over multiple incubation periods. A. oryzae showed greater degradation efficiency (up to 10.22% weight loss), while SEM imaging confirmed fungal colonization and surface erosion including folds, grooves, and cracks in the plastic material.
Plastic waste, particularly polythene, is a major environmental concern, with bioremediation emerging as a sustainable solution. This study evaluated the potential of Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus oryzae in degrading low-density polyethylene (LDPE). Fungal species were initially cultivated on potato dextrose agar (PDA) plates at 36°C for 5 days in the dark. Subsequently, they were transferred to a minimal salt medium supplemented with LDPE strips. The degradation efficiency was evaluated by measuring the weight loss of the LDPE samples and conducting scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis. The results revealed weight loss ranging from 1.50 to 10.22%, depending on the fungi and incubation period, whereas control samples without fungal exposure showed no change. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images confirmed fungal colonisation and physical degradation of the LDPE surface, displaying folds, grooves, and cracks. Results from this study showed that both fungi were able to break down the plastic, with A. oryzae showing more significant degradation. These findings highlight the potential of fungi as a biological solution to address the global plastic pollution issue.
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Biodegradation Efficacy of Aspergillus niger and Trichoderma harzianum on Low-Density Polyethylene
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This study evaluated the biodegradation potential of Aspergillus niger and Trichoderma harzianum on low-density polyethylene, with A. niger achieving 45.6% weight loss in liquid medium after one month. FTIR and SEM analyses confirmed structural and surface alterations consistent with enzymatic degradation, supporting fungal biodegradation as a promising strategy for mitigating plastic pollution.
Biodegradation potential of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) using Aspergillus niger and Phanerochaete chrysosporium
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Researchers tested two common fungi — Aspergillus niger and Phanerochaete chrysosporium — on low-density polyethylene plastic and found they degraded up to 40% of the material in just 20 days. The findings suggest these fungi could be part of a biological strategy for breaking down one of the world's most common plastic types.
Biodegradation of Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE) by Aspergillus niger
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Researchers examined the ability of Aspergillus niger isolated from landfill soil to biodegrade low-density polyethylene (LDPE) under varying conditions of pH, temperature, and carbon and nitrogen sources. FTIR and GC-MS analysis of degradation metabolites confirmed the fungus's capacity to break down LDPE, with all samples showing fungal colonization and metabolic activity in LDPE-containing mineral salt medium.
Biodegradation of LDPE Plastic by Aspergillus niger and Pleurotus sp.
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This Indonesian-language study investigated the biodegradation of LDPE plastic by two fungi — Aspergillus niger and Pleurotus sp. The research evaluated fungal capacity to break down this common plastic polymer as a biological approach to reducing plastic waste in the environment.
Biodegradation of Low-Density Polyethylene by Native Aspergillus Strains Isolated from Plastic-Contaminated Soil
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This study isolated three Aspergillus strains (A. niger, A. ochraceopetaliformis, and A. tamarii) from plastic-contaminated soils in Trujillo, Peru, and evaluated their ability to biodegrade LDPE strips over 50 days in vitro. A. niger H1C showed the greatest weight reduction (4.25%) with a polymer half-life of 897.89 days, while FTIR and SEM analyses confirmed structural modifications indicating oxidative and enzymatic activity, representing the first report of A. ochraceopetaliformis and A. tamarii in LDPE biodegradation.
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