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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to MicroplasticRemoval and Biodegradation by NativeMediterranean Fungus Alternaria alternata
ClearMicroplastic Removal and Biodegradation by Native Mediterranean Fungus Alternaria alternata
Researchers investigated whether the Mediterranean fungus Alternaria alternata can remove and biodegrade polystyrene microplastics in seawater. The study demonstrated that the fungus, which naturally colonizes plastic debris in marine environments, was able to both physically capture and chemically degrade microplastic particles, suggesting a potential biological approach for addressing marine microplastic pollution.
Biodegradation of polyethylene microplastics by the marine fungus Zalerion maritimum
Researchers tested whether the marine fungus Zalerion maritima can biodegrade polyethylene microplastics, finding evidence of polymer degradation through weight loss and surface modification, suggesting marine fungi as natural plastic-degrading agents.
BIORREMEDIAÇÃO DE MICROPLÁSTICOS COM A COLABORAÇÃO DO FUNGO Zalerion maritimum
This companion paper (in Portuguese) describes the potential of the marine fungus Zalerion maritimum for breaking down microplastics in the ocean. Fungal bioremediation represents an emerging biological approach to reducing plastic pollution in aquatic environments.
The Role of Marine Fungi in Degradation of Microplastic and Plastics – a Review
This review examines the role of marine fungi in the biodegradation of microplastics and bulk plastics, synthesising literature on over 400 known plastic-degrading microorganism species and highlighting the most significant fungal groups capable of decomposing plastic materials in marine environments.
Prospection of marine filamentous fungi in the biodegradation of microplastic
This Brazilian study examined whether marine filamentous fungi can biodegrade microplastics, exploring their enzyme systems and degradation mechanisms. Marine fungi represent an underexplored biological resource for breaking down the plastic pollution accumulating in ocean environments.
BIORREMEDIAÇÃO DE MICROPLÁSTICOS COM A COLABORAÇÃO DO FUNGO Zalerion maritimum
Researchers investigated whether the marine fungus Zalerion maritimum can bioremediate microplastics in ocean environments, noting that plastic pollution primarily originates from terrestrial sources. The study is a Brazilian-language paper exploring fungal biotechnology as a potential tool for reducing plastic contamination in marine ecosystems.
Myco-remediation of plastic pollution: current knowledge and future prospects
Researchers reviewed the growing body of evidence showing that fungi can break down common plastics — including polyethylene, polystyrene, and polypropylene — by secreting specialized enzymes that attack and mineralize plastic polymers, with many effective species coming from the Aspergillus and Penicillium families. The review calls for metagenomic approaches to discover more plastic-degrading fungi and develop them into practical bioremediation tools.
Fungal Bioremediation: A Sustainable Strategy for Microplastic Removal from Polluted Water
This review covers fungal bioremediation of microplastic pollution in water, examining how various fungal species degrade plastic polymers, the mechanisms involved (enzymatic oxidation, biofilm formation), and the feasibility of scaling these biological approaches for water treatment applications.
The removal capacities of three filamentous fungi to remediate floating microplastic particles
Three common filamentous fungi — Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus terreus, and Penicillium rubens — were found to remove 59–67% of polyamide microplastic particles from liquid environments within 24–72 hours through surface adhesion rather than biodegradation. This passive removal mechanism is far faster than full plastic degradation and suggests that fungi could be harnessed as a practical, low-cost tool for microplastic remediation.
Microplastics Biodegradation by Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus versicolor
Researchers tested the ability of two common fungi, Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus versicolor, to break down microplastics made from polyethylene and polystyrene. After several weeks of incubation, both fungi showed measurable degradation of the plastic materials, confirmed by changes in surface structure and chemical composition. The study suggests that fungal bioremediation could be a promising natural approach for reducing microplastic pollution in the environment.
The Potential Role of Marine Fungi in Plastic Degradation – A Review
This review examined the potential role of marine fungi in plastic degradation, highlighting that while terrestrial fungi can metabolize some plastic types, marine fungal-plastic interactions remain largely unexplored despite fungi's known ability to break down recalcitrant compounds.
Eco‐Friendly Solutions to Emerging Contaminants: Unveiling the Potential of Bioremediation in Tackling Microplastic Pollution in Water
This review examines bioremediation -- using microorganisms to break down microplastics in water -- as a greener alternative to costly physical and chemical removal methods. While certain bacteria and fungi show real promise in degrading plastics like polyethylene and polystyrene, challenges remain in scaling these approaches. Reducing microplastics in water is important because contaminated water is one of the main ways these particles reach humans.
The Culturable Mycobiota of Sediments and Associated Microplastics: From a Harbor to a Marine Protected Area, a Comparative Study
Researchers investigated fungal diversity in sediments and microplastic surfaces at three Mediterranean sites with varying anthropogenic impact -- a harbor, a marine protected area, and an intermediate site -- culturing 1,526 isolates and finding that microplastics harbor distinct fungal assemblages compared to surrounding sediments, with several species recorded for the first time in marine environments.
Fungal Bioremediation of Microplastics
This review examines how fungi can be used for bioremediation of plastic pollution, covering the enzymes and metabolic pathways involved in fungal plastic degradation. Fungal approaches complement bacterial strategies and may offer unique capabilities for breaking down certain types of plastics in contaminated environments.
Bioprospecting of Mangrove Filamentous Fungi for the Biodegradation of Polyethylene Microplastics
Researchers screened mangrove-associated filamentous fungi for the ability to biodegrade polyethylene microplastics, identifying candidate strains with plastic-degrading potential. Selected fungal isolates showed measurable polyethylene degradation activity, expanding the known roster of plastic-degrading organisms and highlighting mangrove ecosystems as a source of environmentally relevant bioremediation agents.
Biodegradation of Plastics by Fungi
This review examines how fungi — including naturally occurring species found in soil and marine environments — can break down common plastic polymers including polyethylene under low-nutrient conditions. Laboratory evidence suggests some fungal species can degrade plastic pellets, reducing their mass and size, offering a potentially cheaper and more ecologically compatible alternative to industrial plastic disposal methods. Scaling up fungal biodegradation remains a challenge, but the findings suggest microbes could play a significant role in reducing environmental microplastic accumulation over time.
Study on the degradation efficiency and mechanism of polystyrene microplastics by five kinds of edible fungi
Scientists tested five common edible mushroom species and found they can break down polystyrene microplastics, with oyster mushrooms achieving the highest degradation rate of about 16% in 50 days. This is the first study to identify the specific genes and enzymes involved in how these fungi digest plastic, opening the door to potential biological solutions for microplastic cleanup.
Determination of Biodegradation Potential of Aspergillus niger, Candida albicans, and Acremonium sclerotigenum on Polyethylene, Polyethylene Terephthalate, and Polystyrene Microplastics
Researchers tested the ability of three fungal species to biodegrade polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, and polystyrene microplastics over 30 days. Aspergillus niger showed the strongest degradation of polyethylene with 16% weight loss, while other fungi performed better on different plastic types. The study demonstrates that fungal biodegradation is a promising approach for breaking down common microplastics, as confirmed by visible surface changes and chemical alterations in the treated plastics.
Biodegradation of polyurethane by marine-derived Cladosporium oxysporum SCSIO 81042 under seawater conditions and its enhancement by chitosan nanoparticles as adjuvant
Researchers isolated a marine fungus capable of degrading polyurethane plastic under seawater conditions, achieving near-complete breakdown of liquid polyurethane within seven days in natural seawater. The degradation products showed negligible toxicity to zebrafish, and the addition of chitosan nanoparticles further enhanced the fungus's degradation efficiency, suggesting a promising biological approach to addressing marine microplastic pollution.
Plastic-inhabiting fungi in marine environments and PCL degradation activity
Researchers collected fungi growing on plastic waste along Korean coastlines and tested their ability to break down a biodegradable plastic called polycaprolactone (PCL), finding that 87 out of 108 species identified showed some degradation ability. This suggests that ocean plastic surfaces host a diverse community of fungi that could potentially be harnessed to biologically break down plastic pollution in marine environments.
Utilization of mushroom for the bioremediation of plastics and polythenes
This review examined the use of fungi (mycoremediation) for breaking down plastics and polythenes, discussing how fungal biofilms overcome the non-hydrolyzable nature of plastic polymers and the potential for mushroom species to degrade plastic waste.
The threat of microplastics and microbial degradation potential; a current perspective
This review covers the growing threat of microplastics in marine environments, where they enter the food chain and can transfer to humans along with pathogenic organisms, causing various toxic effects. The paper also explores how bacteria and fungi found in ocean environments could be harnessed to biodegrade different types of plastics as a future strategy for reducing microplastic pollution.
Microbe‐mediated biodegradation of microplastics from wastes
Researchers examined microbe-mediated biodegradation of microplastics from waste, reviewing bacterial and fungal species capable of breaking down various plastic polymers and discussing enzymatic mechanisms that could be harnessed for bioremediation strategies.
Biodegradation of Plastics Induced by Marine Organisms: Future Perspectives for Bioremediation Approaches
This review explores how marine organisms, including bacteria and fungi, can biodegrade plastic pollution in ocean environments. Researchers surveyed the current evidence on biofouling and enzymatic breakdown of different plastic types by marine life. The study suggests that harnessing these natural biodegradation processes could offer a promising bioremediation approach, though significant research gaps remain before practical applications are feasible.