Papers

61,005 results
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Article Tier 2

Microbial Diversity of the Surface of Polypropylene and Low Density Polyethylene‐Based Materials (Plastisphere) From an Area Subjected to Intensive Agriculture

Researchers analyzed the microbial communities colonizing polypropylene and polyethylene plastic debris from an agricultural landfill site. They found that while overall bacterial diversity was similar between plastic surfaces and surrounding soil, the plastic-associated communities had distinct compositions with higher proportions of certain bacterial groups. The study suggests that these plastisphere communities may be actively degrading plastic additives and could harbor potential plastic-degrading organisms.

2025 MicrobiologyOpen 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Metagenomic exploration of microbial and enzymatic traits involved in microplastic biodegradation

A metagenomic study of agricultural soil microcosms containing low-density polyethylene and polylactic acid mulch films revealed the diversity of plastic-degrading enzymes and associated microbial communities capable of microplastic biodegradation.

2023 Chemosphere 28 citations
Article Tier 2

Shotgun Metagenomic insights into the Plastisphere microbiome: Unveiling potential for clinical and industrial enzymes production along with plastic degradation

Researchers used shotgun metagenomic sequencing to analyze microbial communities (plastisphere) colonizing plastic debris in soil and aquatic environments, finding that 54% of bacteria had plastic-degrading potential and that the plastisphere also harbored clinically relevant and industrially useful enzymes. The findings suggest the plastisphere is a reservoir of both plastic-degrading and biotechnologically valuable microorganisms.

2023 Research Square (Research Square) 3 citations
Article Tier 2

Metatranscriptome profile of agricultural microbial communities enriched for plastitrophy

Researchers used metatranscriptomic profiling of agricultural soil microbial communities enriched via a Winogradsky column with polyethylene and then minimal media with low-density polyethylene to identify novel plastic-degrading microorganisms and candidate enzymes for plastitrophic metabolism.

2025 mLife
Article Tier 2

New insights on municipal solid waste (MSW) landfill plastisphere structure and function

Characterization of a large municipal solid waste landfill plastisphere found that plastic surfaces harbored more diverse bacterial communities than surrounding refuse, with abundant plastic-degrading genera including Bacillus, Pseudomonas, and Paenibacillus detected in both environments.

2023 The Science of The Total Environment 21 citations
Article Tier 2

Metatranscriptomics of microbial biofilm succession on HDPE foil: uncovering plastic-degrading potential in soil communities

Using genetic analysis, researchers examined which microbial genes are active on polyethylene plastic surfaces in landfill soil versus undisturbed forest soil. They found that both communities carry genes capable of degrading plastic, with plastic-degrading enzymes being most active during early biofilm formation. The discovery that even undisturbed soils harbor plastic-degrading microbes is promising for bioremediation strategies, though the slow rate of natural breakdown means microplastics still persist in soils for very long periods.

2023 Research Square (Research Square) 2 citations
Article Tier 2

Exploring untapped bacterial communities and potential polypropylene-degrading enzymes from mangrove sediment through metagenomics analysis

Researchers used metagenomics analysis to explore bacterial communities in mangrove sediments that may be capable of breaking down polypropylene plastic. The study compared microbial communities exposed to virgin and chemically pretreated polypropylene over several months. Evidence indicates that certain bacterial taxa in mangrove environments possess enzymes with potential polypropylene-degrading activity, suggesting possible biological pathways for plastic waste remediation.

2024 Frontiers in Microbiology 17 citations
Article Tier 2

Assembly strategies for polyethylene-degrading microbial consortia based on the combination of omics tools and the "Plastisphere".

This review examines the microorganisms and enzymes capable of degrading polyethylene and discusses how combining genomic tools with studies of plastic-associated microbial communities could lead to more effective biodegradation strategies. The findings suggest that engineered microbial consortia guided by omics data hold promise for breaking down one of the world's most persistent plastics.

2023 Frontiers in microbiology
Article Tier 2

Bioprospecting indigenous bacteria from landfill leachate for enhanced polypropylene microplastics degradation

Researchers isolated bacteria from landfill leachate to test their ability to degrade polypropylene microplastics. They identified a novel Staphylococcus haemolyticus strain that reduced polypropylene dry weight by over 25% in 30 days, with surface and chemical analysis confirming structural degradation through hydrolysis and oxidation.

2025 Journal of Hazardous Materials 6 citations
Article Tier 2

Simulated dump yard microbes drive significant biodegradation of polypropylene and polyvinyl chloride microplastics

Researchers demonstrated for the first time that bacterial cultures isolated from simulated dump yards can significantly break down polypropylene and polyvinyl chloride microplastics. Using metagenomics and phylogenetic analysis, the study identified specific bacterial species capable of degrading these common plastic types, suggesting potential biological approaches for microplastic remediation.

2025 Journal of Hazardous Materials 7 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

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.

2021 Microbiome 123 citations
Article Tier 2

Microbial communities associated with plastic mulch debris in agricultural soils

Researchers characterized microbial communities colonizing agricultural plastic mulch debris in soil using both culture-dependent and high-throughput sequencing methods. The plastic surfaces harbored distinct microbial communities compared to surrounding soil. Understanding which microbes colonize agricultural plastic debris is important for assessing biodegradation potential and the ecological role of the plastisphere in farmland.

2023 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Exploring the Composition and Functions of Plastic Microbiome Using Whole-Genome Sequencing

Whole-genome sequencing of microbial biofilms on four types of marine microplastics revealed that plastic surfaces harbor distinct microbial communities with unique functional potential, including enrichment of Vibrio species with pathogenic and plastic-degrading capabilities.

2021 Environmental Science & Technology 126 citations
Article Tier 2

Shotgun metagenomic dataset of a synthetic microbial consortium for mixed PP/PE/PVC microplastic transformation

Researchers assembled a synthetic microbial consortium using a stepwise enrichment-selection-reconstruction strategy to transform mixed PP, PE, and PVC microplastics, and generated shotgun metagenomic data revealing functional genes tied to hydrocarbon oxidation, β-oxidation, and intermediate metabolism coordinating multi-polymer degradation.

2026 Figshare
Article Tier 2

Shotgun metagenomic dataset of a synthetic microbial consortium for mixed PP/PE/PVC microplastic transformation

Researchers assembled a synthetic microbial consortium using a stepwise enrichment-selection-reconstruction strategy to transform mixed PP, PE, and PVC microplastics, and generated shotgun metagenomic data revealing functional genes tied to hydrocarbon oxidation, β-oxidation, and intermediate metabolism coordinating multi-polymer degradation.

2026 Figshare
Article Tier 2

Discovering untapped microbial communities through metagenomics for microplastic remediation: recent advances, challenges, and way forward

This review explores how metagenomic approaches are uncovering microbial communities capable of degrading microplastics in various environments. Researchers found that diverse bacteria and fungi in soil, water, and waste systems produce enzymes that can break down plastic polymers, though degradation rates remain slow. The study highlights metagenomics as a powerful tool for discovering new biological solutions to microplastic pollution.

2023 Environmental Science and Pollution Research 54 citations
Article Tier 2

Selective bacterial colonization processes on polyethylene waste samples in an abandoned landfill site

Researchers examined polyethylene plastic waste from an abandoned landfill after more than 35 years of weathering, finding that each degraded plastic type hosted a unique community of bacteria that differed from neighboring plastics and from the surrounding soil. The most degraded plastics had bacterial communities most similar to the surrounding soil, suggesting that plastic breakdown gradually reduces the distinct ecological niche that plastics create for microbes.

2019 Scientific Reports 122 citations
Article Tier 2

Degradation and potential metabolism pathway of polystyrene by bacteria from landfill site

This study identified bacteria from landfill soil capable of degrading polystyrene microplastics, characterizing the microbial community involved and elucidating potential metabolic pathways for polystyrene breakdown. The findings support the potential for bioremediation of this otherwise recalcitrant plastic.

2023 Environmental Pollution 28 citations
Article Tier 2

Metagenome analysis of a soil and marine environment

This metagenomics thesis analyzed microbial communities on marine microplastics and in plant root zones, finding that the biofilm on plastic particles includes bacteria that may be capable of plastic degradation. Identifying the composition and function of these microbial communities could help in the discovery of plastic-degrading microorganisms.

2014 Flanders Marine Institute (Flanders Marine Institute)
Article Tier 2

Significance of landfill microbial communities in biodegradation of polyethylene and nylon 6,6 microplastics

Researchers isolated bacteria from a municipal landfill and tested their ability to degrade polyethylene and nylon 6,6 microplastics. The study demonstrated that Achromobacter xylosoxidans reduced microplastic weight by up to 26.7% in 40 days through enzyme-mediated polymer chain breakdown, suggesting that landfill microbial communities may offer potential pathways for sustainable plastic waste management.

2023 Journal of Hazardous Materials 53 citations
Article Tier 2

Isolates of Polypropylene-degrading Bacteria from a Landfill

Researchers isolated and characterized polypropylene-degrading bacteria from a landfill site, identifying microbial strains capable of breaking down this widely used plastic, including the polypropylene found in disposable medical face masks that increased in use during the COVID-19 pandemic. The isolates demonstrated measurable degradation activity on polypropylene substrates, contributing to the search for biodegradation-based plastic waste management solutions.

2022 Jurnal Riset Kesehatan 2 citations
Article Tier 2

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.

2024 The Science of The Total Environment 13 citations
Article Tier 2

Precision Metagenomics in a Low-End Computation Infrastructure: A Tool to Augment Research on Bioremediation of Plastic and Microplastic Contamination

This study used precision metagenomic analysis of landfill soil to identify microorganisms with plastic-degrading capabilities without needing to culture them in a lab. The approach identified three distinct microbial groups with potential to break down synthetic polymers, pointing toward biological strategies for managing plastic waste at landfill sites.

2023 ACS symposium series