We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Papers
20 resultsShowing papers similar to Engineered Synthetic Microbial Consortia for In Vivo Plastic-Derived Metabolite Detoxification and Host Health Restoration in Ruminant Animals
ClearBiodegradation of Polyethylene Terephthalate Microplastic in the Rumen of Cattle
Researchers incubated PET microplastics in cattle rumen fluid and found evidence of microbial colonization and partial polymer degradation by rumen microbiota, suggesting that ruminant digestive systems may harbor plastic-degrading microorganisms with potential bioremediation applications.
Beyond Traditional Bioremediation: The Potential of Engineered SynComs in Tackling Complex Environmental Pollutants
This systematic review explores how engineered communities of microorganisms — called synthetic microbial consortia — could be designed to break down stubborn environmental pollutants, including plastic-derived chemicals. Traditional bioremediation often struggles with complex contaminants, but these engineered approaches show promise for tackling persistent pollution. The technology could eventually help address microplastic contamination in soil and water.
Degradation 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.
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.
The Effect of Rumen Microbiota in The Susceptibility of Subacute Ruminal Acidosis in Dairy Cows
Researchers studied how differences in rumen bacteria and fungi affect whether dairy cows develop a metabolic disease caused by high-grain diets. This gut microbiome research is not directly related to microplastics but is relevant to understanding how gut microbial communities influence susceptibility to environmental exposures.
Toward sustainable plastic bioremediation using bacterial consortia from aquatic environments.
This study explored the biotechnological potential of native bacteria from diverse aquatic environments to biodegrade synthetic plastics and microplastics. Bacterial consortia isolated from contaminated sites showed promising plastic-degrading capabilities, pointing toward bioremediation strategies for plastic pollution.
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.
Microplastics in Small Ruminants II
Researchers examined 100 fecal samples from goats in Manabí Province, Ecuador, finding microplastic contamination in all samples and identifying the specific plastic types using two laboratory processing methods.
Microbial degradation of contaminants of emerging concern: metabolic, genetic and omics insights for enhanced bioremediation
This review covers how microorganisms have evolved the ability to break down emerging pollutants including plasticizers, pharmaceuticals, and pesticides, turning them into less harmful substances. Understanding the genes, enzymes, and metabolic pathways these microbes use could lead to cost-effective, eco-friendly cleanup methods for removing persistent contaminants -- including plastic-derived chemicals -- from the environment before they reach people.
Coexistence of specialist and generalist species within mixed plastic derivative-utilizing microbial communities
Researchers found that microbial communities breaking down plastic-derived chemicals are dominated by generalist bacteria like Rhodococcus, supported by specialist species targeting specific compounds. This division of labor could be exploited to design more effective microbial consortia for bioremediation of plastic pollution.
Development of plastic-degrading microbial consortia by induced selection in microcosms
Scientists used a technique called induced selection to develop communities of microorganisms capable of breaking down common plastics, including polyethylene and polystyrene. Over several rounds of enrichment in lab microcosms, the microbial groups that thrived showed measurable ability to degrade these plastics. The study suggests that harnessing naturally occurring soil microbes could offer a sustainable approach to reducing plastic pollution in the environment.
Engineering a Cross-Feeding Synthetic Bacterial Consortium for Degrading Mixed PET and Nylon Monomers
Researchers engineered a team of two bacterial species that work together to break down monomers from both PET and nylon plastics, two of the most common types found in mixed plastic waste. The bacteria developed a cooperative feeding relationship where each species handles different plastic components and helps neutralize toxic byproducts. While still at the laboratory stage, this synthetic biology approach could eventually help break down mixed plastic waste before it degrades into microplastics in the environment.
Synthetically engineered microbial scavengers for enhanced bioremediation
Synthetic biology approaches were reviewed for engineering microorganisms with enhanced bioremediation capabilities against pollutants including plastics, heavy metals, and organic contaminants, with the authors discussing strategies for improving enzyme efficiency, substrate range, and environmental fitness while addressing biosafety concerns about releasing engineered microbes into natural environments.
Presence of Microplastics in Livestock Production: A Challenge for Animal Health and Sustainability
This review examines microplastic contamination in livestock production systems, summarizing evidence of microplastic presence in feed, water, and animal tissues, and discussing implications for animal health, food safety, and sustainability.
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.
Plastic-Degrading Microbial Consortia from a Wastewater Treatment Plant
Researchers isolated bacteria from a wastewater treatment plant that can break down common plastics including polyethylene and polystyrene, some of the hardest plastics to recycle. The microbial communities worked together to degrade the plastics more effectively than individual bacterial strains. While biological plastic degradation is still slow compared to the scale of pollution, identifying these bacteria is a step toward developing biotechnology solutions for plastic waste cleanup.
Community Diversity and Makeup Affect the Capacity for Bioconversion of Chemically Deconstructed PET Plastic Waste Into Biomass
Researchers investigated microbial community diversity as a factor in converting chemically deconstructed PET plastic waste into edible biomass protein, finding that community composition significantly affects conversion capacity and proposing this dual-purpose approach as a solution for plastic waste and food security challenges in remote or disaster-affected regions.
Bacterial consortia based enhanced biofilm mediated synthetic plastic waste treatment
Researchers investigated bacterial consortia-enhanced biofilm formation as a biodegradation strategy for synthetic plastic waste, examining how multi-species consortia can improve polymer degradation performance compared to single organisms, positioning biodegradation as a sustainable approach to reducing plastic accumulation in air, water, and soil.
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.
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.