Papers

61,005 results
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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

Exploring Fungi-mediated Biodegradation Pathway of Polymers in Environmental Systems(Dump Sites)

This study explored how fungi found at waste dump sites can break down plastic polymers including nylon bags. Species such as Aspergillus niger were identified and showed some capacity for polymer degradation, suggesting potential use in plastic bioremediation.

2023 Microbiology Research Journal International
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

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

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

Assessment of Microplastic Degrading Potential of Fungal Isolates from an Estuary in Rivers State, Nigeria

Scientists from Nigeria tested whether fungi isolated from an estuary could degrade different types of microplastic particles, finding that several fungal species caused measurable weight loss and surface changes in the plastics. This adds to evidence that environmental fungi have the potential to break down plastic pollution biologically.

2021 South Asian Journal of Research in Microbiology 17 citations
Article Tier 2

Potential of fungi isolated from the dumping sites mangrove rhizosphere soil to degrade polythene

Researchers screened 109 fungal isolates from mangrove rhizosphere soils in India and identified two Aspergillus species — A. terreus and A. sydowii — capable of significantly degrading polyethylene plastic, with one strain reducing tensile strength by over 94%. The findings expand the toolkit of plastic-degrading microorganisms and support the use of mangrove fungi in bioremediation of polyethylene waste.

2019 Scientific Reports 176 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

Introducing the LDPE degrading microbes of sedimentary systems: from dumpsite to laboratory

This study identified and characterized low-density polyethylene (LDPE)-degrading microbes from dumpsite sedimentary systems, isolating bacteria capable of utilizing LDPE as a carbon source—providing a starting point for developing biological solutions to plastic pollution remediation.

2025 Environmental Science Advances 3 citations
Article Tier 2

Microbial Biodegradation of Synthetic Polyethylene and Polyurethane Polymers by Pedospheric Microbes: Towards Sustainable Environmental Management

Researchers isolated fungi and bacteria from dumpsite soils and tested their ability to break down polyethylene and polyurethane plastics. They found that several microbial species showed notable biodegradation potential under laboratory conditions. The study suggests that soil microorganisms naturally adapted to waste environments could offer a cost-effective and eco-friendly approach to managing synthetic plastic pollution.

2025 Polymers 10 citations
Article Tier 2

Identification and Screening of Enzymatic Activity of Degrading Fungi Microplastics in Three Final Processing Sites (TPA) in the Province Lampung

Researchers screened fungi from three landfill sites in Lampung Province, Indonesia for microplastic-degrading enzymatic activity, identifying several fungal strains capable of degrading plastic polymers as candidates for bioremediation applications.

2025 Biology Medicine & Natural Product Chemistry
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

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.

2024 Journal of Marine Science and Engineering 5 citations
Article Tier 2

Investigation of microplastic contamination in waste dump soil from Minna Metropolis in Niger State and screening of indigenous microorganisms for biodegradation as potential mitigation strategy

Researchers investigated microplastic contamination in waste dump soils across Minna, Nigeria, and screened indigenous soil microorganisms for plastic biodegradation potential. They found microplastics in all sampled dump sites and identified several bacterial isolates capable of degrading common plastic polymers.

2025 Science World Journal
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

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

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

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

An overview on role of fungi in systematic plastic degradation

This review examines the role of fungi in plastic degradation, surveying fungal species and enzymes capable of breaking down common polymers and discussing their potential for sustainable bioremediation of plastic pollution in the environment.

2022 Journal of Applied Biology & Biotechnology 15 citations
Article Tier 2

Biodegradation of LDPE plastic by local strain of Bacillus sp. isolated from dump soil of Pekanbaru, Indonesia

Scientists isolated a local strain of Bacillus bacteria from landfill soil in Indonesia and tested its ability to break down low-density polyethylene (LDPE) plastic. The bacteria showed measurable ability to degrade LDPE, reducing plastic weight over time. This research supports the potential for using locally sourced soil bacteria in plastic biodegradation efforts.

2021 Biodiversitas Journal of Biological Diversity 16 citations
Article Tier 2

The Diversity of Fungi in Landfill and their Potential to Degrade Plastic

Researchers isolated 24 fungal morphotypes from plastic waste samples at Terjun Landfill in Medan, Indonesia, screening them for plastic-degradation potential on mineral salt medium with plastic powder. Among five promising isolates identified by molecular methods — including Fusarium solani, Aspergillus fumigatus, and Aspergillus niger — the Fusarium solani isolate achieved 20.83% weight reduction of low-density polyethylene sheets after 45 days.

2024 OnLine Journal of Biological Sciences 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Isolation and characterization of new bacterial strains degrading low-density polyethylene

Researchers isolated and characterized new bacterial strains capable of degrading low-density polyethylene, one of the most common plastic polymers. The strains were found in landfill and compost environments, and the study suggests that biological degradation could be a promising approach for addressing polyethylene waste accumulation.

2024 Chemical and Process Engineering New Frontiers 3 citations
Article Tier 2

Screening and Isolation of Polypropylene Degrading Fungi from Waste Dumping Site, Kolhapur, India

Researchers screened soil samples from a solid waste dump site in Kolhapur, India to isolate fungi capable of degrading polypropylene, identifying a promising strain through 18S rRNA analysis as Cladosporium halotolerans. Over eight months of incubation in aqueous medium without UV pretreatment, the fungal strain demonstrated measurable polypropylene biodegradation, suggesting it as a candidate organism for plastic waste bioremediation.

2023 Nature Environment and Pollution Technology 4 citations
Article Tier 2

Isolation and Identification of Plastic Degrading Fungi from Bangalore, Karnataka, India

Researchers isolated 12 fungal species from plastic dump yards and waste sites in Bangalore, India, identifying Penicillium, Aspergillus niger, and Trichoderma as the most dominant plastic-degrading candidates. The study used serial dilution, spread plating, and microscopy techniques to characterize these fungi, which demonstrated potential for eco-friendly biodegradation of plastic waste in landfills.

2025 Kavaka