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Papers
20 resultsShowing papers similar to Evaluation of Functional and Degradation Properties of Enzyme‐Embedded PLA Films: A Multi‐Analytical Approach and Evaluation of Microplastics Post‐Degradation
ClearReduced Microplastic Formation and Enhanced Degradation in Enzyme‐Embedded PLA , PBAT , and Their Blends: Structural, Chemical, and Ecotoxicological Evaluation
Researchers evaluated how embedding enzymes directly into biodegradable plastics like PLA and PBAT affects their breakdown and microplastic formation during composting. They found that enzyme-embedded PLA reached 90% mineralization compared to 76% for standard PLA, and produced dramatically fewer microplastic residues, with only 25-30 particles per kilogram compared to 180-220 for the untreated material. The findings suggest that incorporating enzymes into biodegradable plastics could substantially reduce microplastic pollution from these materials.
Nanoplastics and microplastics released from an enzyme-embedded biodegradable polyester during hydrolysis
Researchers studied the release of micro- and nanoplastics from a biodegradable polyester (polycaprolactone) embedded with an enzyme designed to accelerate its breakdown. They found that the embedded enzyme dramatically sped up hydrolysis but also produced significantly more microplastic and nanoplastic particles compared to external enzyme treatment. The study raises important questions about whether enzyme-embedded biodegradable plastics might actually increase micro- and nanoplastic pollution during their degradation.
The microbial response to biodegradable polylactic acid microplastics during anaerobic fermentation of waste activated sludge
Polylactic acid (PLA) microplastics — often assumed to be benign because they are 'biodegradable' — were found to inhibit the breakdown of organic matter in wastewater sludge by 5–18%, disrupting microbial communities and key enzymes. The result challenges the assumption that biodegradable plastics are environmentally safe once they enter wastewater treatment systems.
The Hydrolytic Behavior of Poly(Lactic Acid)/Polystyrene‐ Grafted‐Hectorite Nanocomposite Films and Its Regulatory Mechanism on Microplastics
Researchers tested how polylactic acid (PLA) films and PLA/hectorite nanocomposite films degrade in aqueous solutions of different pH levels. The nanocomposite films degraded more slowly and released fewer microplastic fragments than pure PLA, suggesting that clay mineral incorporation could reduce secondary microplastic generation from biodegradable plastics.
Enzymatic Self-Biodegradation of Poly(l-lactic acid) Films by Embedded Heat-Treated and Immobilized Proteinase K
Polylactic acid plastic films containing embedded enzyme proteinase K successfully biodegraded from the inside out, losing 78% of their weight in four days. Immobilizing the enzyme improved its heat stability during manufacturing, offering a new concept for self-biodegrading plastics that could reduce microplastic accumulation in the environment.
Fate of polylactic acid microplastics during anaerobic digestion of kitchen waste: Insights on property changes, released dissolved organic matters, and biofilm formation
Polylactic acid (PLA) microplastics were tracked through the anaerobic digestion of kitchen waste, revealing that PLA particles underwent surface changes and released dissolved organic matter but were not fully degraded during the process. The study shows that even supposedly biodegradable plastics can persist and alter biofilm formation in anaerobic digestion systems.
Do poly(lactic acid) microplastics instigate a threat? A perception for their dynamic towards environmental pollution and toxicity
This review examines whether poly(lactic acid), a popular biodegradable plastic marketed as an eco-friendly alternative, actually poses environmental risks as it breaks down into microplastics. Researchers found that PLA only degrades fully under specific industrial composting conditions with high temperatures and moisture, and may persist much longer in natural environments. The study calls for deeper investigation into the environmental fate and potential toxicity of PLA microplastics as their use continues to grow.
Impact of Enzymatic Degradation on the Material Properties of Poly(Ethylene Terephthalate)
This study tested whether a plastic-degrading enzyme (PETase) could break down recycled PET plastic and whether the degradation changed its material properties in ways that could affect fragmentation into microplastics. Enzyme treatment caused visible surface degradation and reduced the plastic's strength. Understanding how biological degradation alters plastic properties helps predict how PET breaks down into microplastics in the environment.
Microbial Degradation of Polylactic Acid Bioplastic
This review covers how microorganisms degrade polylactic acid (PLA) bioplastic under different environmental conditions. Understanding PLA biodegradation is important for assessing whether PLA products actually break down as intended in real-world environments rather than persisting as microplastics.
Thermal Embedding of Humicola insolens Cutinase: A Strategy for Improving Polyester Biodegradation in Seawater
Researchers embedded a commercially available enzyme into biodegradable polyester films to accelerate their breakdown in seawater. The study found that these enzyme-embedded films achieved biodegradability equal to or greater than cellulose standards in natural seawater, while maintaining their original physical properties. This approach suggests a practical strategy for reducing the contribution of slow-degrading biodegradable plastics to marine microplastic pollution.
Spectrophotometric-Based Assay to Quantify Relative Enzyme-Mediated Degradation of Commercially Available Bioplastics
Researchers developed a simple spectrophotometric assay to screen enzymes for their ability to break down commercially available bioplastics, finding that Proteinase K and PLA depolymerase can degrade about 20-30% of polylactic acid (PLA) plastic overnight. While bioplastics are promoted as eco-friendly alternatives to conventional plastics, many persist in natural environments, so identifying effective degrading enzymes is a critical step toward preventing bioplastic accumulation. This rapid assay could accelerate the search for microbial solutions to the growing bioplastic waste problem.
Environmental impact and mitigation of micro(nano)plastics pollution using green catalytic tools and green analytical methods
Researchers reviewed the growing problem of microplastics and nanoplastics in the environment, then assessed enzyme-based strategies for breaking them down, finding that enzymes specifically targeting plastic polymer structures offer a promising, sustainable approach to degradation, especially when stabilized on nanomaterials to extend their activity.
Polylactic acid synthesis, biodegradability, conversion to microplastics and toxicity: a review
Researchers reviewed polylactic acid (PLA), a popular plant-based "biodegradable" plastic used in packaging and agriculture, finding that while it breaks down inside the body, it does not fully degrade under natural outdoor or aquatic conditions — and in fact fragments into microplastics faster than conventional petroleum-based plastics. This challenges the assumption that bioplastics are a straightforward environmental solution.
Bioabsorbable Characteristics of Poly (Lactic Acid) (PLA) for a Fundamental Solution to the Problem of Microplastics Tea Bag SOILON® Made from PLA Fibers
This review examines the biodegradation characteristics of polylactic acid (PLA) materials, discussing the enzymatic and environmental conditions needed for effective breakdown and evaluating PLA's potential as a genuinely biodegradable alternative to conventional petroleum-based plastics.
Near-complete depolymerization of polyesters with nano-dispersed enzymes
Researchers developed a method to embed tiny enzyme particles inside biodegradable plastics, enabling the plastics to break down almost completely in ordinary compost and tap water within days. This approach achieved up to 98% conversion of the plastic back to small molecules, avoiding the creation of microplastic fragments that occur with conventional degradation. The technology could help solve the microplastic pollution problem by ensuring that biodegradable plastics actually decompose fully rather than fragmenting into harmful microplastic particles.
Study of PLA pre-treatment, enzymatic and model-compost degradation, and valorization of degradation products to bacterial nanocellulose
Researchers tested methods to break down polylactic acid (PLA), a common bio-based plastic, using chemical pre-treatment followed by enzymatic and composting processes. They then converted the degradation products into valuable bacterial nanocellulose. This work is relevant because even bio-based plastics can become microplastic pollutants, and finding ways to fully degrade them into useful materials helps close the loop on plastic waste.
Biodegradation of microplastics: Advancement in the strategic approaches towards prevention of its accumulation and harmful effects
This review assessed advances in strategic approaches to microplastic biodegradation, covering microbial enzymes, biofilm-mediated degradation, and conditions that enhance breakdown rates, with the goal of identifying practical paths to reducing environmental microplastic accumulation.
A minireview on the bioremediative potential of microbial enzymes as solution to emerging microplastic pollution
This mini review explores the potential of microbial enzymes as a sustainable solution for degrading microplastics, discussing recent advances in identifying plastic-degrading enzymes and the challenges remaining for practical bioremediation applications.
Microbe-assisted Enzymatic Degradation of Microplastic
This review examines microbially assisted enzymatic degradation of microplastics as a promising bioremediation strategy, surveying the microorganisms and extracellular enzymes capable of cleaving plastic polymer chains. The authors assess current progress, limitations, and future prospects for applying this approach to reduce microplastic accumulation in terrestrial and aquatic environments.
Enhancing environmmental biodegradation of polyesters
Researchers investigated strategies to enhance the environmental biodegradation of polyester-based packaging polymers, proposing two pathways: a smart material design concept that incorporates degradation-facilitating additives, and an enzymatic approach using engineered polyesterases. The work addresses the practical challenge that biodegradable polyesters degrade too slowly under real environmental conditions, generating persistent microplastic fragments, and aims to close this gap between certified biodegradability and actual environmental breakdown.