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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Biodegradation of Polyethylene Terephthalate Microplastic in the Rumen of Cattle
ClearDegradation of Microplastics in an In Vitro Ruminal Environment
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.
First Evidence of the Effects of Polyethylene Terephthalate Microplastics on Ruminal Degradability and Gastro-Intestinal Digestibility of Mixed Hay
Researchers provided the first evidence that polyethylene terephthalate microplastics can affect the digestive function of ruminant animals. Using an in vitro system simulating the ruminal and gastrointestinal tract, they found that PET microplastics at higher concentrations altered the degradability of hay feed. The study raises concerns about how microplastic contamination of livestock feed could impact animal nutrition and agricultural productivity.
PET Microplastics Affect Human Gut Microbiota Communities During Simulated Gastrointestinal Digestion. First Evidence of Plausible Polymer Biodegradation During Human Digestion
Researchers simulated gastrointestinal digestion and found that PET microplastics altered human gut microbiota community composition, and provided first evidence of plausible partial polymer biodegradation during passage through the human digestive tract.
Low-Density Polyethylene Microplastics in the Rumen: Implications for Rumen Fermentation Dynamics and Utilization of Concentrate Feed
Researchers conducted the first in vitro study examining how polyethylene microplastics affect rumen fermentation in livestock. Both tested concentrations of microplastics significantly reduced gas production and altered fermentation patterns, while also decreasing the digestibility of feed nutrients. The findings suggest that microplastic contamination of animal feed could impair digestive efficiency in ruminants, with potential implications for livestock health and productivity.
Engineered Synthetic Microbial Consortia for In Vivo Plastic-Derived Metabolite Detoxification and Host Health Restoration in Ruminant Animals
Researchers proposed engineered synthetic microbial consortia for in vivo detoxification of plastic-derived metabolites in the rumen of cattle and goats, designing microbial communities capable of degrading plasticizers and other contaminants ingested through MP-contaminated feed.
Impact of Exposure of Dairy Cow Feed to Polystyrene Microplastics on 24 h In Vitro Rumen Fermentation Responses, Microbiota Biodegradation Potential and Metabolic Pathways
Scientists found that when dairy cows eat feed contaminated with tiny plastic particles, it disrupts their digestion and changes the helpful bacteria in their stomachs. The cows' stomach bacteria can actually break down some of the plastic, but this process creates harmful chemicals that could affect milk production. This matters because microplastics are increasingly common in animal feed, which could potentially impact the safety and quality of dairy products we consume.
Effect of Microplastic Contamination on In Vitro Ruminal Fermentation and Feed Degradability
Researchers tested the effects of three common microplastic types on rumen fermentation in lambs using an in vitro model. They found that microplastic contamination significantly disrupted fermentation dynamics, reduced feed degradability, and increased gas production. The results suggest that microplastic ingestion by livestock could impair digestive efficiency and nutrient absorption.
The interaction of microplastics with the ruminal ecosystem in vitro
Researchers evaluated the interactions between five types of microplastics and the rumen microbiome using an in vitro gas test system, testing different particle sizes and doses. They found that biodegradable plastics like polylactide and polyhydroxybutyrate were partially fermented by rumen microorganisms, while conventional plastics like polyethylene and polypropylene showed minimal interaction. The study suggests that the rumen microbiome may have some capacity to process biodegradable plastics but not conventional ones.
Marine hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria breakdown poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET)
Scientists used microcosm studies to investigate whether marine hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria can break down PET plastic, finding that specific bacterial strains could colonize and degrade PET surfaces, offering insights into natural plastic biodegradation in the ocean.
Biodegradation of Poly(Ethylene Terephthalate) Microplastics by Baceterial Communities From Activated Sludge
Scientists isolated bacteria from wastewater treatment sludge that can biodegrade PET plastic, used in plastic bottles and food packaging. The bacteria broke down PET microplastics over a 60-day period, pointing toward a potential biological tool for removing plastic contamination from water treatment systems.
Biodegradation of Poly(Ethylene Terephthalate) Microplastics by Baceterial Communities From Activated Sludge
Scientists isolated bacteria from wastewater treatment sludge that can biodegrade PET plastic, used in plastic bottles and food packaging. The bacteria broke down PET microplastics over a 60-day period, pointing toward a potential biological tool for removing plastic contamination from water treatment systems.
Fate of Plastics in Cattle Digestive Systems
Researchers detected plastic microfibers (0.5 to 15 mm) in the fecal matter of two herds of cattle on a college campus, demonstrating that cattle ingest microplastics at similar rates regardless of management differences, and raising concerns about plastic transfer through livestock products.
Polyethylene Terephthalate Hydrolases in Human Gut Microbiota and Their Implications for Human Health
Researchers searched the genomes of healthy human gut bacteria and discovered enzymes capable of breaking down PET, one of the most common plastics found in food and drink packaging. They identified multiple bacterial species in the human gut that produce these PET-degrading enzymes. This discovery suggests that gut microbes may play a role in processing the microplastics people swallow, though it also raises questions about whether the breakdown products could affect human health.
Effect of microplastic on rumen metabolism.
This review examines how microplastics and plastic additives including bisphenols and phthalates accumulate in water, soil, and animal feed and transfer into animal products such as milk, meat, and eggs, raising food safety concerns. The authors discuss microplastics as disruptors of rumen metabolism in livestock.
A multi-OMIC characterisation of biodegradation and microbial community succession within the PET plastisphere
Researchers performed a multi-omic analysis of bacterial communities colonizing PET plastic in marine environments, identifying microorganisms capable of degrading PET and characterizing the enzymatic pathways involved, advancing understanding of natural plastic biodegradation in ocean systems.
Effects of Different Microplastics on Methane Production and Microbial Community Structure in Anaerobic Digestion of Cattle Manure
Researchers tested how four types of microplastics affect methane production during anaerobic digestion of cattle manure. They found that polyethylene microplastics increased cumulative methane production by nearly 12% by enriching methane-producing microorganisms, while polyhydroxyalkanoate microplastics inhibited methane production by suppressing key methanogenic communities.
Synergistic functional activity of a landfill microbial consortium in a microplastic-enriched environment
Scientists studied soil bacteria from a decades-old landfill to understand how microbes adapt to high concentrations of polyethylene and PET microplastics. They found that multiple bacterial species work together to break down these plastics, with different roles for bacteria floating freely versus those attached to plastic surfaces. While biodegradation of microplastics is possible, it is slow, and understanding these natural processes could eventually help with cleanup efforts.
Gas Box System to Measure the Effects of Low-Density Polyethylene Microplastics on Rumen Activity
An in vitro rumen gas box system successfully detected dose-dependent effects of low-density polyethylene microplastics (2–200 mg per 30 mL) on rumen fermentation dynamics, validating the system as a tool for studying how microplastics affect ruminant digestive function.
Macrogenomes reveal microbial-mediated microplastic degradation pathways in the porcine gut: a hope for solving the environmental challenges of microplastics
A metagenomic study of pig gut contents found a diverse community of microorganisms harboring genes capable of breaking down multiple types of microplastics. This raises the intriguing possibility that gut microbiota in food animals may partially degrade ingested microplastics, but it also raises questions about whether breakdown products or altered microbial communities pose risks that pass up the food chain to humans.
Enhanced degradation of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) microplastics by an engineered Stenotrophomonas pavanii in the presence of biofilm
Scientists engineered a biofilm-forming bacterium to break down PET microplastics (the type found in water bottles and food containers) at room temperature. The engineered bacteria achieved significant PET degradation over 30 days and also worked on other polyester plastics, offering a potential biological solution for cleaning up microplastic pollution in water environments.
PET microplastics affect human gut microbiota communities during simulated gastrointestinal digestion, first evidence of plausible polymer biodegradation during human digestion
Using a simulated human digestive system, researchers tracked what happens to PET microplastics as they pass through the stomach and intestines. The microplastics were structurally changed during digestion and appeared to alter the composition of gut bacteria, with some microbes forming biofilms on the plastic surfaces. This is the first evidence that microplastics may be partially broken down during human digestion and could disrupt the gut microbiome, which plays a critical role in overall health.
Identification of plastic-degrading bacteria in the human gut
Scientists discovered bacteria in the human gut that can break down common plastics like polyethylene and polypropylene, though all the plastic-degrading species identified were opportunistic pathogens. The bacteria could physically and chemically alter plastic surfaces but only achieved limited depolymerization. This finding raises the question of whether microplastic exposure in the gut could promote the growth of potentially harmful bacteria while they attempt to digest the plastic.
Thermally aged PET microplastics disrupt methanogenic syntrophy via toxic leachates: Microbial assembly dynamics unravel biotoxicity in anaerobic digestion
Researchers found that thermally aged PET microplastics disrupted methane production during anaerobic digestion more severely than pristine microplastics. The aging process increased reactive oxygen species levels and released toxic chemical compounds that interfered with the microbial communities responsible for biogas production, with longer aging periods causing greater inhibition of methane upgrading.
Chemical and microbiological changes on the surface of microplastic after long term exposition to different concentrations of ammonium in the environment
Researchers exposed microplastics to varying ammonium concentrations and found that the microbial communities colonizing PET surfaces changed significantly, with certain organisms capable of PET degradation identified and surface chemical properties altered by microbial activity over time.