Papers

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Article Tier 2

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.

2024 International Journal of Microbiology 14 citations
Article Tier 2

Minimal Conditions to Degrade Low Density Polyethylene by Aspergillus terreus and niger

Researchers demonstrated that Aspergillus terreus and Aspergillus niger can degrade low-density polyethylene (LDPE) under minimal nutritional conditions using only LDPE and sucrose as carbon sources, achieving up to 30% weight loss without requiring co-substrates or photothermal pretreatment.

2019 Journal of Ecological Engineering 33 citations
Article Tier 2

Wood decay fungi show enhanced biodeterioration of low-density polyethylene in the absence of wood in culture media

Wood decay fungi normally digest cellulose and lignin, but this study found that when wood is absent, these fungi dramatically increase their degradation of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) plastic — one fungal species achieved nearly 24% weight loss in just 45 days. This shows that fungi can adapt to use plastic as a carbon source, offering a potential biological tool for breaking down plastic waste and reducing microplastic formation in the environment.

2023 PLoS ONE 9 citations
Article Tier 2

Low-Density Polyethylene Film Biodegradation Potential by Fungal Species from Thailand

Thirty fungal species from Thailand were screened for low-density polyethylene biodegradation ability, with several showing measurable weight loss and surface modification of PE films over a 90-day incubation period, and Aspergillus and Trichoderma species among the most effective degraders, supporting further development of fungal-based plastic bioremediation.

2021 Journal of Fungi 77 citations
Article Tier 2

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.

2024 2 citations
Article Tier 2

Effect of potential fungi on low density polyethylene isolated from municipal solid waste with reference to scanning electron microscopy analysis

Researchers investigated the ability of fungi isolated from municipal solid waste to degrade low-density polyethylene (LDPE), using scanning electron microscopy to assess surface changes. The study found that selected fungal strains caused measurable physical and chemical degradation of LDPE surfaces, demonstrating bioremediation potential for this persistent plastic type.

2025 International Journal of Advanced Biochemistry Research
Article Tier 2

Biodegradation of Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE) by Aspergillus niger

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.

2023 GSC Advanced Research and Reviews 5 citations
Article Tier 2

Identification of metabolic markers in plastic biodegradation by native Fusarium species

Researchers investigated the biodegradation potential of two native Fusarium fungal strains on low-density polyethylene plastic, identifying metabolic markers and enzymatic pathways involved in LDPE degradation to better understand the mechanisms underlying fungal plastic biodegradation.

2025 Universidad Industrial de Santander
Article Tier 2

Screening of Fungal Isolates for Biodegradation Potentials of Low-Density Polyethylene from Selected Dumpsites

Researchers screened fungi isolated from soil at Nigerian waste dump sites for their ability to degrade low-density polyethylene plastic, identifying candidate species for potential use in bioremediation. Fungal biodegradation of common plastics like LDPE could help address plastic waste in environments with poor waste management infrastructure.

2023 Sahel Journal of Life Sciences FUDMA 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Cladosporium cladosporioides (strain Clc/1): a candidate for low-density polyethylene degradation

Researchers isolated 47 fungal strains from plastic debris collected in the field and tested their ability to break down low-density polyethylene (LDPE) plastic, finding that only one strain, Cladosporium cladosporioides, visibly degraded the plastic surface after 90 days. Using a combination of microscopy and spectroscopy techniques, they confirmed early-stage chemical breakdown of the plastic, suggesting this common environmental fungus has potential for biological plastic degradation.

2023 Chemical and Biological Technologies in Agriculture 18 citations
Article Tier 2

Effect of Fungi Isolated from Different Plastic Polluted Sites on Low Density Polyethylene Material Degradation with Reference to SEM Analysis

Fungi isolated from plastic-polluted environments were tested for their ability to degrade low-density polyethylene (LDPE), a common packaging plastic, under laboratory conditions. Microscopic analysis confirmed surface degradation, suggesting that naturally occurring fungi from contaminated sites may have enhanced plastic-degrading ability.

2020 International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences 3 citations
Article Tier 2

Biodegradation of Low Density Polyethylene by Selected Bacillus sp.

Researchers found that certain Bacillus bacteria can degrade low-density polyethylene (LDPE) plastic, breaking it down at a modest 1.5% over 60 days. While the rate is slow, this points to a potential biological pathway for plastic degradation that could be developed further.

2019 GAZI UNIVERSITY JOURNAL OF SCIENCE 35 citations
Article Tier 2

Biodegradation of polyethylene by indigenous fungi from waste recycling site, South West, Nigeria

Researchers isolated fungi from a Nigerian plastic dumpsite and found that Aspergillus nidulans, Eurotium repens, and Penicillium chrysogenum can break down polyethylene plastic, causing measurable weight loss and chemical changes in the plastic. These naturally occurring fungi could offer a cheap, eco-friendly method for managing plastic waste in developing countries.

2022 Bulletin of the National Research Centre/Bulletin of the National Research Center 12 citations
Article Tier 2

Biodegradation of Low Density Polyethylene by the Fungus Cladosporium sp. Recovered from a Landfill Site

Researchers demonstrated that the fungus Cladosporium sp., isolated from a landfill site, can biodegrade low-density polyethylene, showing measurable weight loss and surface structural changes in treated plastic films over the incubation period.

2023 Journal of Fungi 50 citations
Article Tier 2

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.

2024 Eurasian Journal of Biological and Chemical Sciences 9 citations
Article Tier 2

Biodegradation of low-density polyethylene microplastics by Fusarium and Penicillium strains isolated from agricultural soil mulched with polyethylene film

Researchers isolated Fusarium and Penicillium fungal strains from agricultural soils and tested their ability to degrade low-density polyethylene (LDPE) microplastics over an extended incubation period. Both genera showed measurable LDPE degradation, contributing to evidence that soil fungi may play a role in natural plastic breakdown.

2025 Journal of Environmental Management 3 citations
Article Tier 2

Microbial degradation of low-density polyethylene by Neopestalotiopsis phangngaensis

Researchers screened 65 fungal strains for low-density polyethylene (LDPE) biodegradation and identified Neopestalotiopsis phangngaensis as the most effective degrader, achieving 54.34% LDPE weight loss over 90 days through laccase, manganese peroxidase, and lignin peroxidase enzyme activity confirmed by scanning electron microscopy and the Sturm test.

2022 The Journal of General and Applied Microbiology 10 citations
Article Tier 2

Biodegradation of synthetic plastics by the extracellular lipase of Aspergillus niger

Researchers produced a lipase enzyme from the common fungus Aspergillus niger using agricultural waste and tested its ability to break down three types of plastic. The enzyme caused measurable weight loss in polyethylene, PET, and polystyrene samples, and microscopy confirmed physical degradation of the plastic surfaces. The study suggests that fungal enzymes could serve as an environmentally friendly tool for breaking down plastic waste.

2024 Environmental Advances 34 citations
Article Tier 2

Assessing the Biodegradation of Low-Density Polyethylene Films by Candida tropicalis SLNEA04 and Rhodotorula mucilaginosa SLNEA05

Researchers assessed whether Candida tropicalis yeast could biodegrade low-density polyethylene (LDPE) plastic films under laboratory conditions, measuring weight loss, surface changes, and chemical degradation markers. Limited but measurable biodegradation occurred, suggesting potential for yeast-based plastic remediation.

2024 Diversity 6 citations
Article Tier 2

Insights into the degradation of high-density polyethylene microplastics using microbial strains: Effect of process parameters, degradation kinetics and modeling

Researchers tested several microbial strains for their ability to break down high-density polyethylene microplastics and developed models to predict degradation rates. Certain bacteria and fungi showed measurable ability to deteriorate the plastic surface over weeks of exposure. The study contributes to the development of biological approaches for remediating microplastic pollution in the environment.

2023 Waste Management 43 citations
Article Tier 2

Degradation of low density polyethylene by Bacillus species

Researchers tested the ability of two common Bacillus bacteria species to degrade low-density polyethylene and observed weight losses of about 3.5 and 2.8 percent over 30 days. Surface analysis revealed cracks, pits, and chemical oxidation on the plastic sheets exposed to the bacteria. The study suggests that these widely available microorganisms could potentially be developed as biological agents for polyethylene degradation, though the underlying enzymatic mechanisms require further investigation.

2022 Applied Biological Chemistry 60 citations
Article Tier 2

In Vitro and Ex Situ Biodegradation of Low-Density Polyethylene by a Rhizopus sp. Strain Isolated from a Local Dumpsite in North-East Algeria

A Rhizopus sp. fungal strain isolated from an Algerian landfill was tested for its ability to degrade low-density polyethylene (LDPE) plastic bags in laboratory conditions. The fungus reduced the weight and altered the surface structure of LDPE samples over time, indicating partial biodegradation. Landfill environments may harbor fungi with potential for plastic bioremediation applications.

2022 Environment and Natural Resources Journal 6 citations
Article Tier 2

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.

2023 Biodegradation 39 citations
Article Tier 2

Recent progresses and perspectives of polyethylene biodegradation by bacteria and fungi: A review

This review examines the current state of polyethylene biodegradation by bacteria and fungi, one of the most widely used and difficult-to-degrade plastics. Researchers found that factors such as surface hydrophobicity, physical pretreatment, and environmental conditions significantly influence microbial degradation rates, with biodegradation involving biofilm formation, fragmentation, and eventual mineralization.

2025 Journal of Contaminant Hydrology 6 citations