Papers

61,005 results
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Article Tier 2

Microbes Associated with Bioremediation of Microplastic Waste in Nigerian Freshwater Bodies: A Review

This review examines bacterial and fungal species capable of bioremediation of microplastic waste in Nigerian freshwater bodies, highlighting promising microbial approaches for breaking down microplastics both aerobically and anaerobically.

2023 UMYU Scientifica 9 citations
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

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.

2023 LA Referencia (Red Federada de Repositorios Institucionales de Publicaciones Científicas)
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

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

Isolation and screening of crude oil-degrading microbes from contaminated sites in Koko Community, Delta State, Nigeria

Researchers isolated crude oil-degrading bacteria from contaminated sites in Nigeria and screened them for bioremediation potential. This bioremediation study focuses on oil contamination and has limited direct connection to microplastics, though the same microbial approaches are being explored for plastic degradation.

2023 Archives of Ecotoxicology
Article Tier 2

Isolation and Identification of Bacteria from Microplastic-Polluted Soil from Three Geopolitical Zones in Osun State, Nigeria

Researchers isolated and identified microplastic-degrading bacteria from plastic-polluted soils across three geopolitical zones in Osun State, Nigeria, collecting samples from six locations and using morphological and biochemical tests to identify four candidate strains -- Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus licheniformis, Bacillus amyloliticus, and Streptococcus spp. -- with potential for enzymatic plastic degradation.

2025 Microbiology Research Journal International
Article Tier 2

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.

2017 The Science of The Total Environment 682 citations
Article Tier 2

Unveiling Fungal Proficiency in Microplastic Degradation: A Comprehensive Research Investigation

Researchers isolated fungal genera from the Tigris River capable of degrading microplastics in both natural and artificial media, investigating their enzymatic mechanisms and evaluating their proficiency in breaking down MP polymers in freshwater and wastewater environments.

2024 1 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 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.

2023 Polymers 68 citations
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

Biodeterioration of Microplastics by Bacteria Isolated from Mangrove Sediment

Researchers isolated bacteria from mangrove sediment capable of degrading 11 different types of microplastics, identifying species like Enterobacter and Bacillus that achieved measurable weight loss and surface deterioration of plastic particles through biodegradation.

2023 Toxics 40 citations
Article Tier 2

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.

2022 Antonie van Leeuwenhoek 35 citations
Article Tier 2

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.

2023 Water and Environment Journal 13 citations
Article Tier 2

Isolation and Identification of Four Strains of Bacteria with Potential to Biodegrade Polyethylene and Polypropylene from Mangrove

Researchers screened mangrove sediment and surface water bacteria for the ability to biodegrade polyethylene and polypropylene microplastics, successfully isolating four candidate strains. The identified bacteria showed measurable plastic degradation activity, highlighting mangrove ecosystems as a source of novel plastic-degrading microorganisms.

2024 Microorganisms 8 citations
Article Tier 2

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.

2025 Egyptian Journal of Aquatic Biology and Fisheries
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

Bacterial degradation of polyethylene and polypropylene microplastics in a mangrove ecosystem

Researchers isolated bacteria from a mangrove ecosystem that can break down polyethylene and polypropylene microplastics, achieving measurable weight loss over 60 days. The bacteria produced enzymes that caused visible surface degradation of the plastic particles, confirmed through microscopy and chemical analysis. While the degradation rates were modest, the study demonstrates that naturally occurring bacteria in coastal environments have the potential to help address microplastic pollution.

2024 Chemosphere 7 citations
Article Tier 2

Isolation and Identification of Indigenous Plastic-Degrading Bacteria from Dumai’s Ocean Water of Riau Province

Researchers isolated and identified plastic-degrading bacteria from the coastal waters of Dumai, Indonesia, finding indigenous microbial populations capable of breaking down plastic polymers. Local plastic-degrading bacteria represent a potentially sustainable biological tool for addressing microplastic contamination in affected environments.

2021 Ilmu Perairan (Aquatic Science) 6 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

Harnessing Microorganisms for Microplastic Degradation: A Sustainable Approach to Mitigating Environmental Pollution

This review surveys microorganisms—bacteria, fungi, and other taxa—capable of degrading microplastics, examining the enzymes, metabolic pathways, and environmental conditions involved, and assessing the practical potential of harnessing these organisms for bioremediation of plastic pollution.

2025 NIPES Journal of Science and Technology Research
Article Tier 2

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.

2019 UNILUS Ensino e Pesquisa 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Bioremediation of plastics by the help of microbial tool: A way for control of plastic pollution

This review covers how bacteria and fungi can be used to break down plastic waste, including microplastics, through natural biological processes. Various microorganisms can degrade different types of plastics by producing specific enzymes, though the process is slow and depends on the plastic type and environmental conditions. While biological degradation shows promise for reducing microplastic pollution in soil and water, much more research is needed to make it effective enough to address the scale of the problem.

2023 Sustainable Chemistry for the Environment 37 citations