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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2026

Bioplastic biodegradability shapes microbial communities in a coastal brackish environment.

Microorganisms are metabolically versatile and central to marine ecosystems, yet the potential of marine microbial communities to degrade different bioplastics and the effect of environmental factors are poorly understood. Employing multi-seasonal in situ and in vitro experiments, we assessed the biodegradation of six commonly used bio-based bioplastic materials at a coastal site in the brackish Baltic Sea and characterized the associated microbial communities using metagenomics and metatranscriptomics. Cellulose acetate (CA), polybutylene succinate (PBS), and polyhydroxybutyrate/valerate (PHB) degraded at varying rates across materials, seasons, and experimental settings, with up to 28% weight attrition after 97 weeks in situ (CA) and 56% carbon loss as CO2 after 4 weeks in vitro (PBS). The three biodegraded plastics developed similar microbial communities that differed markedly from those on the other materials (cellulose acetate propionate, polyamide, and polyethylene) and in the water column. The main microbial populations on the biodegraded plastics included aerobic and facultative anaerobic heterotrophs with a broad capacity for carbohydrate metabolism. Populations with the potential for nitrogen fixation and denitrification were more prevalent on the biodegraded plastics, suggesting that bioplastic biodegradation is constrained by and coupled to the marine nitrogen cycle. Based on the metatranscriptomic signal of key genes involved in the initial hydrolysis of CA, PBS, and PHB, we identified diverse microbial populations that can potentially drive the biodegradation of these materials in the Baltic Sea, many of which encoded the potential to degrade multiple bioplastics. We propose the term 'bioplastisphere' to denote the distinctive microbial communities associated with biodegradable plastics.

Seawater↗
PubMed1992

Materials derived from biomass/biodegradable materials.

Interest in biodegradable plastics made from renewable resources has increased significantly in recent years. PHBV (polyhydroxybutyrate-polyhydroxyvalerate) copolymers are good examples of this type of materials. This paper provides an overview of the manufacturing process, properties, biodegradability, and application/commercial issues associated with PHBV copolymers. They are naturally produced by bacteria from agricultural raw materials, and they can be processed to make a variety of useful products, where their biodegradability and naturalness are quite beneficial. PHBV copolymers are still in the first stage of commercialization. But they are presented in this paper as an example of how new technology can help meet society's needs for plastics and a clean environment.

Alcaligenes↗
PubMed1989

Ability of the phototrophic bacterium Rhodospirillum rubrum to produce various poly (beta-hydroxyalkanoates): potential sources for biodegradable polyesters.

Studies have been carried out in order to optimize growth and culture conditions for the intracellular formation of poly(beta-hydroxyalkanoates) (PHA) in the phototrophic, purple, non-sulphur bacterium Rhodospirilum rubrum. Its potential to produce novel copolymers was investigated. Recently, it has become of industrial interest to evaluate these polyesters as potentially biodegradable plastics for a wide range of possible applications. On an industrial scale, the use of photosynthetic bacteria could harness sunlight as an energy source for the production of these materials. R. rubrum was grown anaerobically in the light on different linear and branched beta-hydroxycarboxylic acids and various n-alkanoic acids. Under nitrogen-limiting conditions a PHA content of up to 45% of cellular dry weight was detected. When R. rubrum was grown on different concentrations of various n-alkanoic acids, intracellular PHA production was detected on all acids used. In most of the cases, the storage polymer contained beta-hydroxybutyrate (HB) and beta-hydroxyvalerate (HV) monomer units. Grown on n-alkanoic acids with a chain length of four carbon atoms and more, R. rubrum produced a copolymer containing the beta-hydroxyhexanoate (HC) repeating unit in addition to the HB and HV monomer. Using beta-hydroxyheptanoic acid as the carbon source, a polyester which contained HB, HV, HC, and beta-hydroxyheptanoate was formed. These copolyesters represent a novel class of biodegradable thermoplastics. The results demonstrate the metabolic flexibility of R. rubrum to form many different types of polyesters which might substitute plastics synthesized from petrochemicals.

Ammonia↗
PubMed2026

Amino acid reprogramming and biofilm-specific tricarboxylate transporters in PET-degrading Piscinibacter sakaiensis.

Plastic-degrading bacteria predominantly colonize polymer surfaces as biofilms, yet it remains unclear whether the biofilm phenotype contributes to metabolism beyond retaining extracellular enzymes. Here, we combine population-level RNA-sequencing across three conditions-biofilm cells on polyethylene terephthalate (PET), planktonic cells incubated with PET, and planktonic cells on maltose-with single-cell Raman spectroscopy to characterize the PET response of Piscinibacter sakaiensis (formerly Ideonella sakaiensis). This integrated approach reveals two metabolically distinct response layers. A carbon-source-driven response shared by all PET-exposed cells is dominated by a broad amino acid reprogramming, led by upregulation of branched-chain amino acid transport genes, enhanced serine biosynthesis, and reduced chemotaxis. A biofilm-specific layer selectively induces tripartite tricarboxylate transporter genes from three distinct genomic loci. This transcriptional feature is accompanied by a single-cell phenotype consistent with a protein-rich and saturated membrane. These results suggest that biofilm formation is not limited to enzyme retention but is associated with selective activation of transport systems, consistent with a putative role in capturing PET-derived intermediates at the polymer interface. This two-layer model separates general metabolic adaptation to PET from biofilm-specific functions and provides a framework for understanding how surface-associated bacterial physiology contributes to plastic degradation.IMPORTANCEPolyethylene terephthalate (PET) degradation in natural and engineered environments is largely mediated by surface-attached microbial communities, yet the physiological role of biofilm state during plastic degradation remains poorly understood. Using the model PET degrader Piscinibacter sakaiensis, we show that biofilm-associated cells are not simply retained near the polymer surface but exhibit a distinct metabolic program characterized by selective induction of tripartite tricarboxylate transporters. In contrast, extensive amino acid reprogramming occurs in both biofilm and planktonic PET-exposed cells, indicating that it is driven by carbon source rather than surface attachment. These findings reveal that PET degradation involves two separable physiological layers: a general metabolic response to PET-derived carbon shared across cell phenotypes, and a biofilm-specific transport response potentially linked to substrate capture at the plastic interface. This work advances our understanding of how microbial physiology is organized during plastic biodegradation and identifies transport processes as previously unrecognized components of PET-degrading biofilms.

PET biodegradation↗
PubMed1990

[Coronary endoprostheses (stents)].

Even before the introduction of transluminal balloon dilatation of coronary arteries, Dotter had conceived intravascular endoprostheses and, in 1969, published a report of his observations after implantation of a spiral-shaped support of surgical steel and nickel-titanium ligation in peripheral arteries of the dog. Interest in intravascular supports developed especially in consideration of frequent unsatisfactory long-term results after coronary angioplasty. Coronary artery occlusion is observed in about 5% of balloon dilatations due to dissection, thrombosis, spasm or a combination of these phenomena. The rate of recurrent stenosis after uncomplicated balloon dilatation is about 30%, that of recanalization of chronic occlusion or dilatation of stenosed bypass grafts about 50%. Stent technology: In order to provide a meaningful solution to unresolved problems of balloon dilatation, the ideal endoprosthesis must be rapidly and reliably implantable as well as sufficiently flexible to conform to vascular curvatures. It should have a low profile, must be biocompatible and not thrombogenic; it should be rapidly endothelialized with no excessive proliferatory stimulus. Rigid stents are limited in length; elastic stents display a better transition to normal coronary arteries. Negatively-charged metallic surfaces appear less thrombogenic than those positively charged, the former, however, are usually not free of corrosion. The generally positive charge of stainless steel, the most commonly used material, is tempered with a special surface treatment. Currently, materials under investigation are nickel-titanium, tantalum and biodegradable plastic. Of importance for endothelialization are the wall thickness of the stent and the relationship of material to pore size. Filaments of stainless steel measuring 0.09 mm in diameter are completely covered by neoendothelium within three weeks. In laboratory animals, within minutes after implantation, all three stents currently in clinical use are covered with a thin layer of thrombocytes and fibrin; after one day, endothelial-like and pseudoendothelial cells develop along the metal structures. After one week, there is a flow-oriented behaviour of the surface cell formation embedding the stent between neoendothelial and lamina elastica interna, a process which is complete in three months. The thickness of the neointimal proliferation may be dependent on the stent geometry and may vary between 0.09 and 0.4 mm.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary↗
PubMed1992

[Food hygienic indexes on biodegradable polymers].

Current specifications for food packaging made of polyolefine plastics were applied to biodegradable plastics. No lead and cadmium were detected in any biodegradable plastic samples with the exception of bacterial cellulose, which contained trace amounts of lead and cadmium. Potassium permanganate consumption amount was less than the current specification level for polyofines. Sugars leached from bacterial cellulose was 22 +/- 1 microgram per 100 cm2 as glucose, and amino acids leached from poly-gamma-methylglutamate films was 8 +/- 3 micrograms per 100 cm2 as glutamic acid.

Amino Acids↗
PubMed1990

Plastics from bacteria and for bacteria: poly(beta-hydroxyalkanoates) as natural, biocompatible, and biodegradable polyesters.

Hence, PHB belongs to the family of poly(beta-hydroxyalkanoates), PHA, all of which are usually formed as intracellular inclusions under unbalanced growth conditions. Recently, it became of industrial interest to evaluate PHA polyesters as natural, biodegradable, and biocompatible plastics for a wide range of possible applications such as surgical sutures or packaging containers. For industrial applications, the controlled incorporation of repeating units with different chain lengths into a series of copolymers is desirable in order to produce polyesters with a range of material properties because physical and chemical characteristics depend strongly on the polymer composition. Such "tailormade" copolymers can be produced under controlled growth conditions, in that if a defined mixture of substrates for a certain type of microorganisms is supplied, a well defined and reproducible copolymer is formed.

Bacteria↗
PubMed2026

Broad-spectrum biodegradation of aliphatic and aliphatic-aromatic polyesters by Papiliotrema laurentii isolated from locust frass.

Biodegradable aliphatic and aliphatic-aromatic polyesters, such as poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT), polylactic acid (PLA), polycaprolactone (PCL), polybutylene succinate (PBS), and polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), are increasingly used as sustainable alternatives to petrochemical plastics. However, their depolymerization outside industrial composting facilities is often incomplete. This study characterized Papiliotrema laurentii strain 62UF-13, isolated from migratory locust frass, for broad-spectrum polyester hydrolysis. Emulsion assays demonstrated hydrolytic activity across all five polymers, with PCL and PBS showing the highest clearance rates. Solid-film assays revealed substantial gravimetric mass loss of PCL, PLA, and PHA cast films, whereas a commercial PBAT-PLA mulch film in minimal medium, underwent progressive fragmentation/disintegration, as assessed by the remaining film area. Incubation with the PBAT-PLA film was accompanied by the release of adipic acid (49.60 mg/L, week 1) and terephthalic acid (maximum 21.62 mg/L, week 4), followed by a decrease to 0.26 mg/L by week 8, coinciding with the emergence of putative 3,4-dihydroxymandelic acid and a putative acetylated derivative. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed pronounced pitting and erosion, while Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) indicated ester-bond scission and changes in crystallinity/melting behavior. Whole-genome sequencing identified eight candidate polyesterases, including cutinases and esterases, with ≥ 60% amino acid identity to known hydrolases active on PCL, PBS, PHA, and PLA. This study is the first report of P. laurentii degrading a broad range of aliphatic and aliphatic-aromatic polyesters, including partial biotransformation of terephthalate moieties from PBAT. Integration of phenotypic assays and genomic evidence positions P. laurentii 62UF-13 as a viable biocatalyst for decentralized management of biodegradable plastic waste under mild environmental conditions.

Papiliotrema laurentii↗
PubMed2026

The global potential of freshwater microbes for plastic degradation.

Plastic pollution is becoming increasingly severe on a global scale, and the potential for biodegradation as a treatment method that is environmentally friendly merits greater attention. A significant number of genes that associated the degradation of plastic (PDAGs) have been identified, however, the distribution of these genes among microorganisms in global inland waters remains to be elucidated. A global-scale meta-analysis was conducted, incorporating approximately 1000 metagenome datasets of inland waters across seven continents. A total of 13,109 metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) were obtained by means of metagenomics binning, and 22,621 PDAGs were identified from these. Among these recognized PDAGs, phenylacetaldehyde dehydrogenase (PAD) was the most dominant (n = 16,664), followed by catalase (n = 5931). The predominant hosts for PAD and catalase were identified as Gamma-proteobacteria and Bacteroidia, respectively. The largest number of both PAD and catalase was found in MAGs from North America, while the average gene number in single MAG was highest in MAGs from Oceania. In accordance with the prediction of traits, PDAG-carrying MAGs from Europe demonstrated the fastest growth rate and the lowest optimal growth rate. Furthermore, 25 styrene monooxygenase (StyA) enzymes were identified, which were found to cluster into two distinct groups hosted by Alpha-proteobacteria and Gamma-proteobacteria, respectively. Moreover, 11 MAGs were observed to possess the complete pathway of polystyrene degradation. These results explored the potential of inland water microorganisms as a biological resource for plastic degradation and provided valuable microbial reference information that can be used to develop biological treatment technologies for mitigating plastics.

Plastics↗
PubMed1976

Biodegradation of phthalic acid esters in river water and activated sludge.

The primary and ultimate biodegradability of phthalic acid, monobutyl phthalate, and five structurally diverse phthalic acid ester plasticizers in river water and activated sludge samples were determined via ultraviolet spectrophotometry, gas chromatography, and CO2 evolution. The compounds studied underwent rapid primary biodegradation in both unacclimated river water and acclimated activated sludge. When activated sludge acclimated to phthalic acid esters was used as the inoculum for the CO2 evolution procedure, greater than 85% of the total theoretical CO2 was evolved. These studies demonstrate that the phthalic acid ester plasticizers and intermediate degradation products readily undergo ultimate degradation in different mixed microbial systems at concentrations ranging from 1 to 83 mg/liter.

Bacteria↗
PubMed2026

Discovering hidden candidate plastic-degrading enzymes: Combined multi-omics and machine learning strategy.

Plastic pollution poses a major threat to the stability of natural ecosystems as well as human health. Microbial enzymes have long been considered a potential resource for targeted biodegradation but, except for a few successful cases, the discovery of efficient enzymes has proved challenging. Aiming to accelerate the process, we propose an approach combining metagenomics, metatranscriptomics and semi-supervised learning that selects promising plastic-degrading candidate enzymes from the proteome of relevant microorganisms. Tested on a dataset of over 10,000 microbial proteins, ranking models consistently prioritize known plastic-degrading enzymes, achieving an area under the cumulative distribution function curve above 0.96, with leave-one-family-out cross-validation indicating that performance is largely retained across protein families. As a case study, this work focuses on mixed microbial cultures exposed for extended periods to polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, and polyurethane substrates. The prevalent species after selective enrichment were functionally characterized, finding Rhodococcus aetherivorans as the most relevant species in two of the five cultures under investigation. Among the top-ranked proteins, several have high structural similarity with known enzymes despite not being identified by sequence similarity search. Moreover, according to metatranscriptomics results, several of these enzymes were found to be expressed at the same level or above that of annotated enzymes, suggesting that they may have functional relevance. Overall, this work highlights the potential of integrating multi-omics with data-driven methods for enzyme discovery and for accelerating the development of biotechnological solutions to plastic pollution.

Biodegradation, Environmental↗
PubMed2026

Multiomic insights into fungal polylactic acid degradation: Metabolic adaptation and hydrolytic mechanisms of Sporobolomyces pararoseus.

Polylactic acid (PLA), a biodegradable polyester from renewable resources, is a sustainable alternative to petrochemical plastics. However, its environmental degradation is inefficient naturally, requiring specific microbial activities. While bacterial PLA-degrading mechanisms are well documented, fungal degrading systems-particularly their molecular mechanisms-are underexplored.We isolated Sporobolomyces pararoseus ZRQ01 from the gut microbiota of PLA-fed mealworms. This fungal strain noticeably degraded PLA in PLA-containing medium supplemented with 2% glucose. Biodegradation assays revealed 22.8% loss of the PLA film weight after 35 days of incubation, and scanning electron microscopy confirmed extensive surface erosion and pore formation. Integrated transcriptomic and proteomic analyses, together with the reference genome of S. pararoseus ZRQ01, revealed that S. pararoseus ZRQ01 upregulates hydrolytic enzymes at both transcript and protein levels to cleave PLA into lactic acid. After lactic acid is transferred into S. pararoseus ZRQ01 cells by monocarboxylate transporters with increased abundance, it is assimilated by pathways of pyruvate metabolism and the TCA cycle with increased protein abundance. Intriguingly, upregulation of genes in autophagy-related and MAPK signaling pathways underscores an adaptive stress response potentially supporting cellular homeostasis and degradation-related gene expression. Our results highlight S. pararoseus ZRQ01's metabolic potential for bioremediation and offer insights into fungal bioplastic degradation pathways.

Polyesters↗
PubMed1987

Plastics and synthetic fibres from microorganisms: a dream or a potential reality?

Potential microbial routes to the production of plastics and synthetic fibres can be divided into three categories. These are: (i) the production of biopolymers possessing the properties of plastics, (ii) the use of microorganisms as biocatalysts to produce specialized chemical intermediates or monomers, and (iii) the release of usable chemicals from renewable carbon sources such as lignin.

Bacteria↗
PubMed1992

Fungal degradation of polyhydroxyalkanoates and a semiquantitative assay for screening their degradation by terrestrial fungi.

The current problems with decreasing fossile resources and increasing environmental pollution by petrochemical-based plastics have stimulated investigations to find biosynthetic materials which are also biodegradable. Bacterial reserve materials such as polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) have been discovered to possess thermoplastic properties and can be synthesized from renewable resources. Poly-beta-hydroxybutyric acid (PHB) is at present the most promising PHA; and BIOPOL, its copolymer with poly-beta-hydroxy-valerate (PHV), is already industrially produced (ICI, UK), and used as packaging material (WELLA, FRG). According to the literature, PHA degradation has so far mainly been observed in bacteria; only under certain environmental conditions has fungal degradation of PHAs been indicated. Since fungi constitute an important part of microbial populations participating in degradation processes, a simple screening method for fungal degradation of BIOPOL, a PHA-based plastic, was developed. Several media with about 150 fungal strains from different terrestrial environments and belonging to different systematic and ecological groups were used. PHA depolymerization was tested on three PHB-based media, each with 0.1% BIOPOL or PHB homopolymer causing turbidity of the medium. The media contained either a comparatively low or high content of organic carbon (beside PHA) or were based on mineral medium with PHA as the principal source of carbon. The degradation activity was detectable due to formation of a clear halo around the colony (Petri plates) or a clear zone under the colony (test tubes).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Biodegradation, Environmental↗
PubMed1991

[Some aspects of the management of house-hold refuse].

Each day the average Frenchman produces near 1 kg of HHR, mainly paper and cardboard, vegetal and animal putrescible residues, glass, plastics, metals, ashes,... giving four important linked fractions of recyclable, biodegradable, combustible and inert matters. Production and precollection of HHR are of direct concern for the user, mainly in the collective housing; but the rubbish chute acts as a brake to the selective collection of HHR, which is one aspect of the valorization process of HHR, growing up in France. Three other treatments are used: combustion in plants with or without energy recovery, biological degradation of HHR as a compost used in agriculture, and dumping on or in the ground. All of them have advantages and disadvantages and then they must be used in complement of each other. The treatment units have some pollution effects on the environment and must be watched. Treatment refuses and solid, liquid or gaseous pollutants must be managed as much as HHR themselves. Three examples of collection-treatment-elimination french units are briefly described in Dunkerque (a mean town with selective collection), Bourgneuf-en-Mauges (a rural country with biological treatment and dumping) and Paris (a big town with a new incineration plan). Then the state of the management of HHR in France in 1989 is described with special attention to collection (99.4% of the population), recovery of glass (25%) and paper-cardboard (42%) and authorized treatment (94%) as dumping (43%), incineration (40.5%) and biological (7.5%). Accent is made about the importance of prevention (decrease of refuse production, way of consumption and life style, education of the masses) and of a good management of the HHR and of their treatment refuses and pollutants to limit environmental degradation.

France↗
PubMed2026

Unveiling phthalate esters biodegradation from microbial community to Pseudarthrobacter scleromae HL-1: Kinetics, genomic insights, pathways, toxicity assessment and environmental remediation.

Phthalate esters (PAEs) are ubiquitous synthetic plasticizer pollutants posing severe ecological and human health risks. This study compared microbial community structures and dibutyl phthalate (DBP) degradation kinetics of two consortia: 7-day enriched MC1 (50 mg/L DBP) and 6-cycle acclimated MC7 (50-1000 mg/L DBP), demonstrating directional DBP stress selection generated a low-diversity, highly specialized degradative community with a 25.4 mg/L/h maximum degradation rate (Vmax), 1.68-fold higher than MC1. Four dominant DBP-degrading strains were isolated from MC7; Pseudarthrobacter scleromae HL-1 showed the highest efficiency with 17.1 mg/L/h Vmax and complete 500 mg/L DBP removal within 72 h, broad substrate spectrum, and strong adaptability after optimization. Whole-genome sequencing and GC-MS/MS elucidated a dual-parallel DBP mineralization pathway, first reported in Pseudarthrobacter, integrating ester hydrolysis and side-chain β-oxidation. ECOSAR and Chlorella vulgaris bioassays confirmed progressive toxicity attenuation, with > 99% relative toxicity reduction after 72 h and no toxic intermediate accumulation. Natural lake water trials with trace background PAEs showed HL-1 successfully colonized aquatic environments, reshaped indigenous communities into synergistic degradative consortia, and achieved 99.2% DBP removal in 84 h. This work provides comprehensive insights into PAE biodegradation mechanisms from community to single strain and highlights HL-1 as a promising candidate for remediating PAE-polluted aquatic ecosystems.

Genomic analysis↗