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Deo L, Benjamin LK, Osborne JW. Critical review on unveiling the toxic and recalcitrant effects of microplastics in aquatic ecosystems and their degradation by microbes. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2024; 196:896. [PMID: 39230754 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-024-13023-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2024] [Accepted: 08/15/2024] [Indexed: 09/05/2024]
Abstract
Production of synthetic plastic obtained from fossil fuels are considered as a constantly growing problem and lack in the management of plastic waste has led to severe microplastic pollution in the aquatic ecosystem. Plastic particles less than 5mm are termed as microplastics (MPs), these are pervasive in water and soil, it can also withstand longer period of time with high durability. It can be broken down into smaller particles and can be adsorbed by various life-forms. Most marine organisms tend to consume plastic debris that can be accumulated easily into the vertebrates, invertebrates and planktonic entities. Often these plastic particles surpass the food chain, resulting in the damage of various organs and inhibiting the uptake of food due to the accumulation of microplastics. In this review, the physical and chemical properties of microplastics, as well as their effects on the environment and toxicity of their chemical constituents are discussed. In addition, the paper also sheds light on the potential of microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, and algae which play a pivotal role in the process of microplastics degradation. The mechanism of microbial degradation, the factors that affect degradation, and the current advancements in genetic and metabolic engineering of microbes to promote degradation are also summarized. The paper also provides information on the bacterial, algal and fungal degradation mechanism including the possible enzymes involved in microplastic degradation. It also investigates the difficulties, limitations, and potential developments that may occur in the field of microbial microplastic degradation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Loknath Deo
- Department of Plant Pathology and Entomology, VIT-School of Agricultural Innovation and Advanced Learning, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, 632014, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Lincy Kirubhadharsini Benjamin
- Department of Plant Pathology and Entomology, VIT-School of Agricultural Innovation and Advanced Learning, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, 632014, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Jabez William Osborne
- Department of Biosciences, School of Bio Sciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, 632014, Tamil Nadu, India.
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2
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Cheung CKH, Not C. Early signs of plastic degradation and fragmentation: A 40-day study in marine environments. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2024; 207:116809. [PMID: 39126776 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2024] [Revised: 06/27/2024] [Accepted: 08/01/2024] [Indexed: 08/12/2024]
Abstract
Conventional plastics are widely present in the ocean as marine plastic debris. This in-situ study investigates the degradability and fragmentation of seven common conventional plastics (PET, PVC, PS, EPS, PP, HDPE, and LDPE) in natural marine environments over a 40-day period. All plastics showed significant chemical changes and oscillating plastic oxidation levels, indicating the synergistic processes of oxidation and removal of oxidation products. Polystyrenes and polymers with heteroatoms showed the largest degradation potentials, while pure polyolefins exhibited the highest fragmentation risks. SEM images suggest potentials of EPS and pure polyolefins in generating microplastic fragments, and polymers with heteroatoms in generating nanoplastic fragments. PS did not exhibit any surface degradation signs, potentially due to enhanced crystallinity through oxidation. The findings highlight the need for reduced usage of EPS and pure polyolefins which are commonly applied as disposable utensils and food packaging, and prioritized cleanup of these polymers to reduce microplastic pollution in the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Coco Ka Hei Cheung
- Department of Earth Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong; The Swire Institute of Marine Science, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong.
| | - Christelle Not
- Department of Earth Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong; The Swire Institute of Marine Science, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong.
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3
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Safdar A, Ismail F, Safdar M, Imran M. Eco-friendly approaches for mitigating plastic pollution: advancements and implications for a greener future. Biodegradation 2024; 35:493-518. [PMID: 38310578 DOI: 10.1007/s10532-023-10062-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 02/06/2024]
Abstract
Plastic pollution has become a global problem since the extensive use of plastic in industries such as packaging, electronics, manufacturing and construction, healthcare, transportation, and others. This has resulted in an environmental burden that is continually growing, which has inspired many scientists as well as environmentalists to come up with creative solutions to deal with this problem. Numerous studies have been reviewed to determine practical, affordable, and environmentally friendly solutions to regulate plastic waste by leveraging microbes' innate abilities to naturally decompose polymers. Enzymatic breakdown of plastics has been proposed to serve this goal since the discovery of enzymes from microbial sources that truly interact with plastic in its naturalistic environment and because it is a much faster and more effective method than others. The scope of diverse microbes and associated enzymes in polymer breakdown is highlighted in the current review. The use of co-cultures or microbial consortium-based techniques for the improved breakdown of plastic products and the generation of high-value end products that may be utilized as prototypes of bioenergy sources is highlighted. The review also offers a thorough overview of the developments in the microbiological and enzymatic biological degradation of plastics, as well as several elements that impact this process for the survival of our planet.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayesha Safdar
- Department of Biochemistry, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur, 63100, Punjab, Pakistan
- The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur, 63100, Punjab, Pakistan
| | - Fatima Ismail
- Department of Biochemistry, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur, 63100, Punjab, Pakistan.
- The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur, 63100, Punjab, Pakistan.
| | - Maryem Safdar
- University College of Conventional Medicine, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur, 63100, Punjab, Pakistan
- The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur, 63100, Punjab, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Imran
- Institute of Advanced Study, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 5180600, Guangdong Province, China.
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4
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Shin N, Oh J, Kim S, Lee Y, Shin Y, Choi S, Bhatia SK, Yang YH. Dual Application of p-Nitrophenol Alkanoate-Based Assay for Soil Selection and Screening of Microbial Strains for Bioplastic Degradation. J Microbiol Biotechnol 2024; 34:1530-1543. [PMID: 38973389 PMCID: PMC11294652 DOI: 10.4014/jmb.2403.03013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2024] [Revised: 04/29/2024] [Accepted: 05/17/2024] [Indexed: 07/09/2024]
Abstract
With an increase in the commercialization of bioplastics, the importance of screening for plastic-degrading strains and microbes has emerged. Conventional methods for screening such strains are time-consuming and labor-intensive. Therefore, we suggest a method for quickly and effectively screening plastic-degrading microbial strains through dual esterase assays for soil and isolated strains, using p-nitrophenyl alkanoates as substrates. To select microbe-abundant soil, the total amount of phospholipid fatty acids (PLFAs) included in each soil sample was analyzed, and esterase assays were performed for each soil sample to compare the esterase activity of each soil. In addition, by analyzing the correlation coefficients and sensitivity between the amount of PLFAs and the degree of esterase activity according to the substrate, it was confirmed that substrate pNP-C2 is the most useful index for soil containing several microbes having esterase activity. In addition, esterase assays of the isolated strains allowed us to select the most active strain as the degrading strain, and 16S rRNA results confirmed that it was Bacillus sp. N04 showed the highest degradation activity for polybutylene succinate (PBS) as measured in liquid culture for 7 days, with a degradation yield of 99%. Furthermore, Bacillus sp. N04 showed degradation activity against various bioplastics. We propose the dual application of p-nitrophenyl alkanoates as an efficient method to first select the appropriate soil and then to screen for plastic-degrading strains in it, and conclude that pNP-C2 in particular, is a useful indicator.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nara Shin
- Department of Biological Engineering, College of Engineering, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea
| | - Jinok Oh
- Department of Biological Engineering, College of Engineering, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea
| | - Suwon Kim
- Department of Biological Engineering, College of Engineering, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea
| | - Yeda Lee
- Department of Biological Engineering, College of Engineering, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea
| | - Yuni Shin
- Department of Biological Engineering, College of Engineering, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea
| | - Suhye Choi
- Department of Biological Engineering, College of Engineering, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea
| | - Shashi Kant Bhatia
- Department of Biological Engineering, College of Engineering, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea
- Institute for Ubiquitous Information Technology and Application, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea
| | - Yung-Hun Yang
- Department of Biological Engineering, College of Engineering, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea
- Institute for Ubiquitous Information Technology and Application, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea
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5
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Schick S, Groten R, Weinberger A, Seide GH. A Comparison of Laboratory and Industrial Processes Reveals the Effect of Dwell Time and UV Pre-Exposure on the Behavior of Two Polymers in a Disintegration Trial. Polymers (Basel) 2024; 16:1650. [PMID: 38932000 PMCID: PMC11207445 DOI: 10.3390/polym16121650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2024] [Revised: 06/04/2024] [Accepted: 06/06/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Biodegradable biopolymers such as polylactic acid and polybutylene succinate are sustainable alternatives to traditional petroleum-based plastics. However, the factors affecting their degradation must be characterized in detail to enable successful utilization. Here we compared the extruder dwell time at three different melt-spinning scales and its influence on the degradation of both polymers. The melt temperature was the same for all three processes, but the shear stress and dwell time were key differences, with the latter being the easiest to measure. Accelerated degradation tests, including quick weathering and disintegration, were used to evaluate the influence of dwell time on the structural, mechanical, and thermal properties of the resulting fibers. We found that longer dwell times accelerated degradation. Quick weathering by UV pre-exposure before the disintegration trial, however, had a more significant effect than dwell time, indicating that degradation studies with virgin material in a laboratory-scale setting only show the theoretical behavior of a product in the laboratory. A weathered fiber from an industrial-scale spinning line more accurately predicts the behavior of a product placed on the market before ending up in the environment. This highlights the importance of optimizing process parameters such as the dwell time to adapt the degradability of biopolymers for specific applications and environmental requirements. By gaining a deeper insight into the relationship between manufacturing processes and fiber degradability, products can be adapted to meet suitable performance criteria for different applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Schick
- Aachen-Maastricht Institute for Biobased Materials (AMIBM), Faculty of Science and Engineering, Maastricht University, Brightlands Chemelot Campus, Urmonderbaan 22, 6167RD Geleen, The Netherlands;
| | - Robert Groten
- Department of Textile and Clothing Technology, Niederrhein University of Applied Sciences, Campus Mönchengladbach, Webschulstrasse 31, 41065 Mönchengladbach, Germany
| | | | - Gunnar H. Seide
- Aachen-Maastricht Institute for Biobased Materials (AMIBM), Faculty of Science and Engineering, Maastricht University, Brightlands Chemelot Campus, Urmonderbaan 22, 6167RD Geleen, The Netherlands;
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6
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Wang Q, Chen H, Gu W, Wang S, Li Y. Biodegradation of aged polyethylene (PE) and polystyrene (PS) microplastics by yellow mealworms (Tenebrio molitor larvae). THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 927:172243. [PMID: 38582118 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.172243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2024] [Revised: 03/25/2024] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/08/2024]
Abstract
Globally, over 287 million tons of plastic are disposed in landfills, rivers, and oceans or are burned every year. The results are devastating to our ecosystems, wildlife and human health. One promising remedy is the yellow mealworm (Tenebrio molitor larvae), which has proved capable of degrading microplastics (MPs). This paper presents a new investigation into the biodegradation of aged polyethylene (PE) film and polystyrene (PS) foam by the Tenebrio molitor larvae. After a 35 - day feeding period, both pristine and aged MPs can be consumed by larvae. Even with some inhibitions in larvae growth due to the limited nutrient supply of aged MPs, when compared with pristine MPs, the aged MPs were depolymerized more efficiently in gut microbiota based on gel permeation chromatography (GPC) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis. With the change in surface chemical properties, the metabolic intermediates of aged MPs contained more oxygen-containing functional groups and shortened long-chain alkane, which was confirmed by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC-MS). High-throughput sequencing revealed that the richness and diversity of gut microbes were restricted in the MPs-fed group. Although MPs had a negative effect on the relative abundance of the two dominant bacteria Enterococcaceae and Lactobacillaceae, the aged MPs may promote the relative abundance of Enterobacteriaceae and Streptococcaceae. Redundancy analysis (RDA) further verified that the aged MPs are effectively biodegraded by yellow mealworm. This work provides new insights into insect-mediated mechanisms of aged MP degradation and promising strategies for MP sustainable and efficient solutions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiongjie Wang
- School of Energy and Environment, Anhui University of Technology, Maanshan, Anhui 243002, China.
| | - Huijuan Chen
- School of Energy and Environment, Anhui University of Technology, Maanshan, Anhui 243002, China
| | - Wanqing Gu
- School of Energy and Environment, Anhui University of Technology, Maanshan, Anhui 243002, China
| | - Shurui Wang
- School of Energy and Environment, Anhui University of Technology, Maanshan, Anhui 243002, China
| | - Yinghua Li
- School of Energy and Environment, Anhui University of Technology, Maanshan, Anhui 243002, China
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7
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Khatua S, Simal-Gandara J, Acharya K. Myco-remediation of plastic pollution: current knowledge and future prospects. Biodegradation 2024; 35:249-279. [PMID: 37665521 PMCID: PMC10950981 DOI: 10.1007/s10532-023-10053-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023]
Abstract
To date, enumerable fungi have been reported to participate in the biodegradation of several notorious plastic materials following their isolation from soil of plastic-dumping sites, marine water, waste of mulch films, landfills, plant parts and gut of wax moth. The general mechanism begins with formation of hydrophobin and biofilm proceding to secretion of specific plastic degarding enzymes (peroxidase, hydrolase, protease and urease), penetration of three dimensional substrates and mineralization of plastic polymers into harmless products. As a result, several synthetic polymers including polyethylene, polystyrene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, polyurethane and/or bio-degradable plastics have been validated to deteriorate within months through the action of a wide variety of fungal strains predominantly Ascomycota (Alternaria, Aspergillus, Cladosporium, Fusarium, Penicillium spp.). Understanding the potential and mode of operation of these organisms is thus of prime importance inspiring us to furnish an up to date view on all the presently known fungal strains claimed to mitigate the plastic waste problem. Future research henceforth needs to be directed towards metagenomic approach to distinguish polymer degrading microbial diversity followed by bio-augmentation to build fascinating future of waste disposal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Somanjana Khatua
- Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, University of Allahabad, Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, 211002, India
| | - Jesus Simal-Gandara
- Nutrition and Bromatology Group, Department of Analytical Chemistry and Food Science, Faculty of Science, Universidade de Vigo, 32004, Ourense, Spain.
| | - Krishnendu Acharya
- Molecular and Applied Mycology and Plant Pathology Laboratory, Department of Botany, Centre of Advanced Study, University of Calcutta, 35, Ballygunge Circular Road, Kolkata, West Bengal, 700019, India.
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8
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Polo ML, Russell-White K, Vaillard SE, Ríos L, Meira GR, Estenoz DA, Spontón ME. Bio-based polyester-polyurethane foams: synthesis and degradability by Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus clavatus. Biodegradation 2024; 35:315-327. [PMID: 37987936 DOI: 10.1007/s10532-023-10059-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Abstract
In this article, the degradability by Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus clavatus of three bio-based polyurethane (PU) foams is compared to previous degradability studies involving a Pseudomonas sp. bacterium and similar initial materials (Spontón et al. in Int. Biodet. Biodeg. 85:85-94, 2013, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ibiod.2013.05.019 ). First, three new polyester-polyurethane foams were prepared from mixtures of castor oil (CO), maleated castor oil (MACO), toluene diisocyanate (TDI), and water. Then, their degradation tests were carried out in an aqueous medium, and employing the two mentioned fungi, after their isolation from the environment. From the degradation tests, the following was observed: (a) the insoluble (and slightly collapsed) foams exhibited free hydroxyl, carboxyl, and amine moieties; and (b) the water soluble (and low molar mass) compounds contained amines, carboxylic acids, and glycerol. The most degraded foam contained the highest amount of MACO, and therefore the highest concentration of hydrolytic bonds. A basic biodegradation mechanism was proposed that involves hydrolysis and oxidation reactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mara L Polo
- Instituto de Desarrollo Tecnológico para la Industria Química (INTEC), UNL-CONICET, Ruta Nacional 168, Km. 0 - Paraje "El Pozo", 3000, Santa Fe, Argentina
- Facultad de Ingeniería Química, Universidad Nacional del Litoral (UNL), Santiago del Estero 2829, 3000, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Karen Russell-White
- Facultad de Ingeniería Química, Universidad Nacional del Litoral (UNL), Santiago del Estero 2829, 3000, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Santiago E Vaillard
- Instituto de Desarrollo Tecnológico para la Industria Química (INTEC), UNL-CONICET, Ruta Nacional 168, Km. 0 - Paraje "El Pozo", 3000, Santa Fe, Argentina
- Facultad de Ingeniería Química, Universidad Nacional del Litoral (UNL), Santiago del Estero 2829, 3000, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Luis Ríos
- Universidad de Antioquia, Calle 62 #52-59, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Gregorio R Meira
- Instituto de Desarrollo Tecnológico para la Industria Química (INTEC), UNL-CONICET, Ruta Nacional 168, Km. 0 - Paraje "El Pozo", 3000, Santa Fe, Argentina
- Facultad de Ingeniería Química, Universidad Nacional del Litoral (UNL), Santiago del Estero 2829, 3000, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Diana A Estenoz
- Instituto de Desarrollo Tecnológico para la Industria Química (INTEC), UNL-CONICET, Ruta Nacional 168, Km. 0 - Paraje "El Pozo", 3000, Santa Fe, Argentina
- Facultad de Ingeniería Química, Universidad Nacional del Litoral (UNL), Santiago del Estero 2829, 3000, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Marisa E Spontón
- Instituto de Desarrollo Tecnológico para la Industria Química (INTEC), UNL-CONICET, Ruta Nacional 168, Km. 0 - Paraje "El Pozo", 3000, Santa Fe, Argentina.
- Facultad de Ingeniería Química, Universidad Nacional del Litoral (UNL), Santiago del Estero 2829, 3000, Santa Fe, Argentina.
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Cai Z, Li M, Zhu Z, Wang X, Huang Y, Li T, Gong H, Yan M. Biological Degradation of Plastics and Microplastics: A Recent Perspective on Associated Mechanisms and Influencing Factors. Microorganisms 2023; 11:1661. [PMID: 37512834 PMCID: PMC10386651 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11071661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2023] [Revised: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 06/17/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Plastic and microplastic pollution has caused a great deal of ecological problems because of its persistence and potential adverse effects on human health. The degradation of plastics through biological processes is of great significance for ecological health, therefore, the feasibility of plastic degradation by microorganisms has attracted a lot of attention. This study comprises a preliminary discussion on the biodegradation mechanism and the advantages and roles of different bacterial enzymes, such as PET hydrolase and PCL-cutinase, in the degradation of different polymers, such as PET and PCL, respectively. With a particular focus on their modes of action and potential enzymatic mechanisms, this review sums up studies on the biological degradation of plastics and microplastics related to mechanisms and influencing factors, along with their enzymes in enhancing the degradation of synthetic plastics in the process. In addition, biodegradation of plastic is also affected by plastic additives and plasticizers. Plasticizers and additives in the composition of plastics can cause harmful impacts. To further improve the degradation efficiency of polymers, various pretreatments to improve the efficiency of biodegradation, which can cause a significant reduction in toxic plastic pollution, were also preliminarily discussed here. The existing research and data show a large number of microorganisms involved in plastic biodegradation, though their specific mechanisms have not been thoroughly explored yet. Therefore, there is a significant potential for employing various bacterial strains for efficient degradation of plastics to improve human health and safety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeming Cai
- College of Marine Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510641, China
| | - Minqian Li
- College of Marine Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510641, China
| | - Ziying Zhu
- College of Marine Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510641, China
| | - Xiaocui Wang
- College of Marine Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510641, China
| | - Yuanyin Huang
- College of Marine Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510641, China
| | - Tianmu Li
- College of Marine Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510641, China
| | - Han Gong
- College of Marine Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510641, China
| | - Muting Yan
- College of Marine Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510641, China
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong
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10
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Kothawale SS, Kumar L, Singh SP. Role of organisms and their enzymes in the biodegradation of microplastics and nanoplastics: A review. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023:116281. [PMID: 37276977 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.116281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2023] [Revised: 04/27/2023] [Accepted: 05/28/2023] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Microplastic (MP) and Nanoplastic (NP) contamination have become a critical ecological concern due to their persistent presence in every aspect of the ecosystem and their potentially harmful effects. The current approaches to eradicate these wastes by burning up and dumping adversely impact the environment, while recycling has its own challenges. As a result, applying degradation techniques to eliminate these recalcitrant polymers has been a focus of scientific investigation in the recent past. Biological, photocatalytic, electrocatalytic, and, recently, nanotechnologies have been studied to degrade these polymers. Nevertheless, it is hard to degrade MPs and NPs in the environment, and these degradation techniques are comparatively inefficient and require further development. The recent research focuses on the potential use of microbes to degrade MPs and NPs as a sustainable solution. Therefore, considering the recent advancements in this important research field, this review highlights the utilization of organisms and enzymes for the biodegradation of the MPs and NPs with their probable degradation mechanisms. This review provides insight into various microbial entities and their enzymes for the biodegradation of MPs. In addition, owing to the lack of research on the biodegradation of NPs, the perspective of applying these processes to NPs degradation has also been looked at. Finally, a critical evaluation of the recent development and perspective for future research to improve the effective removal of MPs and NPs in the environment through biodegradation is also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheetal S Kothawale
- Centre for Research in Nanotechnology & Science (CRNTS), Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai, 400076, India
| | - Lalit Kumar
- Department of Energy Science and Engineering Department (DESE), Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai, 400076, India
| | - Swatantra P Singh
- Centre for Research in Nanotechnology & Science (CRNTS), Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai, 400076, India; Environmental Science and Engineering Department (ESED), Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai, 400076, India; Interdisciplinary Program in Climate Studies, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai, 400076, India.
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11
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Stachowiak N, Kowalonek J, Kozlowska J, Burkowska-But A. Stability Studies, Biodegradation Tests, and Mechanical Properties of Sodium Alginate and Gellan Gum Beads Containing Surfactant. Polymers (Basel) 2023; 15:polym15112568. [PMID: 37299365 DOI: 10.3390/polym15112568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2023] [Revised: 05/28/2023] [Accepted: 05/29/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The excessive presence of single-use plastics is rapidly degrading our natural environment on a global scale due to their inherent resistance to decomposition. Wet wipes used for personal or household purposes contribute significantly to the accumulation of plastic waste. One potential solution to address this problem involves developing eco-friendly materials that possess the ability to degrade naturally while retaining their washing capabilities. For this purpose, the beads from sodium alginate, gellan gum, and a mixture of these natural polymers containing surfactant were produced using the ionotropic gelation method. Stability studies of the beads by observing their appearance and diameter were performed after incubation in solutions of different pH values. The images showed that macroparticles were reduced in size in an acidic medium and swelled in solution of pH-neutral phosphate-buffered saline. Moreover, all the beads first swelled and then degraded in alkaline conditions. The beads based on gellan gum and combining both polymers were the least sensitive to pH changes. The compression tests revealed that the stiffness of all macroparticles decreased with the increasing pH of the solutions in which they were immersed. The studied beads were more rigid in an acidic solution than in alkaline conditions. The biodegradation of macroparticles was assessed using a respirometric method in soil and seawater. It is important to note that the macroparticles degraded more rapidly in soil than in seawater.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Stachowiak
- Faculty of Chemistry, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, Gagarina St. 7, 87-100 Torun, Poland
| | - Jolanta Kowalonek
- Faculty of Chemistry, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, Gagarina St. 7, 87-100 Torun, Poland
| | - Justyna Kozlowska
- Faculty of Chemistry, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, Gagarina St. 7, 87-100 Torun, Poland
| | - Aleksandra Burkowska-But
- Faculty of Biological and Veterinary Sciences, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, Lwowska St. 1, 87-100 Torun, Poland
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12
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Feijoo P, Marín A, Samaniego-Aguilar K, Sánchez-Safont E, Lagarón JM, Gámez-Pérez J, Cabedo L. Effect of the Presence of Lignin from Woodflour on the Compostability of PHA-Based Biocomposites: Disintegration, Biodegradation and Microbial Dynamics. Polymers (Basel) 2023; 15:polym15112481. [PMID: 37299280 DOI: 10.3390/polym15112481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2023] [Revised: 05/01/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) has gained attention as a possible substitute for conventional polymers that could be integrated into the organic recycling system. Biocomposites with 15% of pure cellulose (TC) and woodflour (WF) were prepared to analyze the role of lignin on their compostability (58 °C) by tracking the mass loss, CO2 evolution, and the microbial population. Realistic dimensions for typical plastic products (400 µm films), as well as their service performance (thermal stability, rheology), were taken into account in this hybrid study. WF showed lower adhesion with the polymer than TC and favored PHBV thermal degradation during processing, also affecting its rheological behavior. Although all materials disintegrated in 45 days and mineralized in less than 60 days, lignin from woodflour was found to slow down the bioassimilation of PHBV/WF by limiting the access of enzymes and water to easier degradable cellulose and polymer matrix. According to the highest and the lowest weight loss rates, TC incorporation allowed for higher mesophilic bacterial and fungal counts, while WF seemed to hinder fungal growth. At the initial steps, fungi and yeasts seem to be key factors in facilitating the later metabolization of the materials by bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia Feijoo
- Polymers and Advanced Materials Group (PIMA), Universitat Jaume I (UJI), Avenida de Vicent Sos Baynat s/n, 12071 Castelló de la Plana, Spain
| | - Anna Marín
- Polymers and Advanced Materials Group (PIMA), Universitat Jaume I (UJI), Avenida de Vicent Sos Baynat s/n, 12071 Castelló de la Plana, Spain
| | - Kerly Samaniego-Aguilar
- Polymers and Advanced Materials Group (PIMA), Universitat Jaume I (UJI), Avenida de Vicent Sos Baynat s/n, 12071 Castelló de la Plana, Spain
| | - Estefanía Sánchez-Safont
- Polymers and Advanced Materials Group (PIMA), Universitat Jaume I (UJI), Avenida de Vicent Sos Baynat s/n, 12071 Castelló de la Plana, Spain
| | - José M Lagarón
- Novel Materials and Nanotechnology Group, Institute of Agrochemistry and Food Technology (IATA), Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), Calle Catedrático Agustín Escardino Benlloch 7, 46980 Paterna, Spain
| | - José Gámez-Pérez
- Polymers and Advanced Materials Group (PIMA), Universitat Jaume I (UJI), Avenida de Vicent Sos Baynat s/n, 12071 Castelló de la Plana, Spain
| | - Luis Cabedo
- Polymers and Advanced Materials Group (PIMA), Universitat Jaume I (UJI), Avenida de Vicent Sos Baynat s/n, 12071 Castelló de la Plana, Spain
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Meng W, Zhang X, Zhang Y, Zhang X, Zhu W, Huang H, Han X, Liu Y, Xu C. Poly(vinyl alcohol)/sodium alginate polymer membranes as eco-friendly and biodegradable coatings for slow release fertilizers. JOURNAL OF THE SCIENCE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE 2023; 103:3592-3601. [PMID: 36326723 DOI: 10.1002/jsfa.12312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2022] [Revised: 10/22/2022] [Accepted: 11/01/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The use of slow release fertilizers (SRFs) is an effective approach for reducing agriculture cost, environmental and ecological issues simultaneously. The present study provides a series of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA)/sodium alginate (SA) polymer membranes as eco-friendly and biodegradable coatings for SRFs. Moreover, polymer-coated urea (PCU) granules were fabricated through coating the urea granules with the resulting membranes. Our first interest was to fabricate three membranes (PS1, PS2, PS3) of different PVA/SA weight ratios (9:1, 8:2, 7:3) using glutaraldehyde as a crosslinking agent, and crosslink the PS3 membrane with a CaCl2 solution further to obtain the PC3 membrane. The chemical properties and morphologies of the membranes were characterized. Second, the nitrogen release behavior of the PCU granules was measured and calculated, respectively. RESULTS Crosslinking with glutaraldehyde made the PS1, PS2, PS3 membranes uniform and compact, whereas crosslinking with a CaCl2 solution formed an 'egg box' structure inside the PC3 membrane. PS3 membrane with the minimum PVA/SA weight ratio had the highest hydrophily (water uptake: 106.25%, water contact angle: 55.1o ), whereas PC3 membrane had the lowest hydrophily (water uptake: 21.57%, water contact angle: 67.3o ). The biodegradation ratios of the membranes were in the range 44-60% in 90 days, indicating that they had excellent biodegradability. The measured fractional release on the day 30 of the PCU granules ranged from 89.33% to 97.07%. The calculated nitrogen release behavior agreed well with the measured values. CONCLUSION The resulting eco-friendly and biodegradable PVA/SA membranes are alternative coatings for SRFs. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen Meng
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Advanced Catalytic Materials and Reaction Engineering, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei, China
| | - Xu Zhang
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Advanced Catalytic Materials and Reaction Engineering, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei, China
| | - Yang Zhang
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Advanced Catalytic Materials and Reaction Engineering, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei, China
| | - Xianglu Zhang
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Advanced Catalytic Materials and Reaction Engineering, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei, China
| | - Wending Zhu
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Advanced Catalytic Materials and Reaction Engineering, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei, China
| | - Handa Huang
- Hefei Lvnong Fertilizer Co., Ltd, Hefei, China
| | - Xiaozhao Han
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Advanced Catalytic Materials and Reaction Engineering, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei, China
| | - Yahua Liu
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Advanced Catalytic Materials and Reaction Engineering, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei, China
| | - Chao Xu
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Advanced Catalytic Materials and Reaction Engineering, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei, China
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Zhao S, Zhang J. Microplastics in soils during the COVID-19 pandemic: Sources, migration and transformations, and remediation technologies. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 883:163700. [PMID: 37105487 PMCID: PMC10125914 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.163700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2023] [Revised: 03/26/2023] [Accepted: 04/19/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a notable upsurge of 5-10 % in global plastic production, which could have potential implications on the soil quality through increased microplastics (MPs) content. The elevated levels of MPs in the soil poses a significant threat to both the environment and human health, hence necessitating the remediation of MPs in the environment. Despite the significant attention given to MPs remediation in aqueous environments, less consideration has been given to MPs remediation in the soil. Consequently, this review highlights the major sources of MPs in the soil, their migration and transformation behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic, and emphasizes the importance of utilizing remediation technologies such as phytoremediation, thermal treatment, microbial degradation, and photodegradation for MPs in the soil. Furthermore, this review provides a prospective outlook on potential future remediation methods for MPs in the soil. Although the COVID-19 pandemic is nearing its end, the long-term impact of MPs on the soil remains, making this review a valuable reference for the remediation of MPs in the post-pandemic soil.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shan Zhao
- College of Ocean Science and Engineering, Shanghai Maritime University, Shanghai 201306, China; College of Civil Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China.
| | - Jian Zhang
- College of Ocean Science and Engineering, Shanghai Maritime University, Shanghai 201306, China
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15
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Meegoda JN, Hettiarachchi MC. A Path to a Reduction in Micro and Nanoplastics Pollution. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:ijerph20085555. [PMID: 37107837 PMCID: PMC10139116 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20085555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics (MP) are plastic particles less than 5 mm in size. There are two categories of MP: primary and secondary. Primary or microscopic-sized MP are intentionally produced material. Fragmentation of large plastic debris through physical, chemical, and oxidative processes creates secondary MP, the most abundant type in the environment. Microplastic pollution has become a global environmental problem due to their abundance, poor biodegradability, toxicological properties, and negative impact on aquatic and terrestrial organisms including humans. Plastic debris enters the aquatic environment via direct dumping or uncontrolled land-based sources. While plastic debris slowly degrades into MP, wastewater and stormwater outlets discharge a large amount of MP directly into water bodies. Additionally, stormwater carries MP from sources such as tire wear, artificial turf, fertilizers, and land-applied biosolids. To protect the environment and human health, the entry of MP into the environment must be reduced or eliminated. Source control is one of the best methods available. The existing and growing abundance of MP in the environment requires the use of multiple strategies to combat pollution. These strategies include reducing the usage, public outreach to eliminate littering, reevaluation and use of new wastewater treatment and sludge disposal methods, regulations on macro and MP sources, and a wide implementation of appropriate stormwater management practices such as filtration, bioretention, and wetlands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jay N. Meegoda
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ 07102, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-973-596-2464
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16
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Enzymatic hydrolysis of poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) by Fusarium solani cutinase. Polym Degrad Stab 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2023.110335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/14/2023]
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17
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Liu S, Junaid M, Sadaf M, Ai W, Lan X, Wang J. A novel framework-based meta-analysis for in-depth characterization of microplastic pollution and associated ecological risks in Chinese Bays. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2023; 444:130423. [PMID: 36427359 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.130423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2022] [Revised: 11/14/2022] [Accepted: 11/16/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Among aquatic ecosystems, bays are ubiquitously contaminated with microplastics (MPs, size <5 mm), but a comprehensive understanding of their pollution characterization in Chinese Bays is largely elusive. The current study aims to systematically highlight factors intricating MP contamination as well as their geographic distribution, interactions, risk evaluation, and abundance prediction in bays. MPs' abundance was varied in different bays, at concentrations ranging between 0.26 ± 0.14-89, 500 ± 20, 600 items/m3 in water, 15 ± 6-6433.5 items/kg dry weight in sediment and 0.21 ± 0.10-103.5 items/individual in biota. Redundancy analysis, Permannova, and GeoDetector model revealed that the sampling and extraction/identification methods, and geographical locations were the major drivers affecting MP distribution and characteristics. The Mantel test highlighted that the MP characteristics changed with geographic distance, higher in water than that in sediment and biota. ANOSIM results showed that the different environmental media exhibit significant differences in MP characteristics (e.g., color, shape, and polymer). The ARIMA model predicted that Sanggou Bay and Hangzhou Bay have a higher potential for significantly increasing MP contamination in the future. The highest hazard index (HI) values for water, sediment, and biota were respectively reported at Jiaozhou Bay (18,844.16), Bohai Bay (11,485.37), and Dongshan Bay (48,485.11). The highest values for the ecological risk index (RI) in water, sediment, and biota were detected at Beibu Gulf (6,129,559.02), Haikou Bay (2229.14), and Dongshan Bay (561,563.05), respectively. Overall, this framework can be used at different scales and in different environments, which makes it useful for understanding and controlling MP pollution in the ecosystem.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shulin Liu
- College of Marine Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Muhammad Junaid
- College of Marine Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; Henry Fok School of Biology and Agriculture, Shaoguan University, Shaoguan 512005, China
| | - Mamona Sadaf
- Knowledge Unit of Business, Economics, Accountancy and Commerce (KUBEAC), University of Management and Technology, Sialkot Campus, 51310, Pakistan
| | - Wenjie Ai
- College of Electronic Engineering, College of Artificial Intelligence, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Xue Lan
- College of Marine Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Jun Wang
- College of Marine Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; Institute of Eco-Environmental Research, Guangxi Academy of Sciences, Nanning 530007, China.
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18
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Li H, Chang X, Zhang J, Wang Y, Zhong R, Wang L, Wei J, Wang Y. Uptake and distribution of microplastics of different particle sizes in maize (Zea mays) seedling roots. CHEMOSPHERE 2023; 313:137491. [PMID: 36493893 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.137491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2022] [Revised: 12/01/2022] [Accepted: 12/03/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) pollution may be harmful to terrestrial ecosystems and is receiving increasing attention. A microcosm study on the uptake of MPs in maize (Zea mays) seedling roots exposed to small polystyrene (PS) beads (0.2, 0.5 and 1.0 μm) and large PS beads (2.0 and 5.0 μm) at 50 mg L-1 for 7 d was performed. Additionally, the absorption ability of different parts of the roots was also investigated after 10 d of exposure with 0.2 μm PS beads. The results showed that root and shoot biomass remained unchanged under different particle sizes of PS beads. The small PS beads markedly increased the accumulation and distribution of PS beads in roots more than large ones. Confocal laser scanning micrographs confirmed that strong fluorescence signals from small PS beads (0.2 μm) were seen in all tissues, as compared with the control. Large PS beads (2.0 μm) were mainly distributed in the xylem, and no PS beads were detected in any root tissues when treated with 5.0 μm PS beads. More PS beads were absorbed by the root maturation zone than by the root tip zone. Fluorescence intensity values of PS bead accumulations measured across the tissues further confirmed these results. As seen in scanning electron microscopy images, small PS beads assembled on the cell wall of the xylem, while large PS beads (2.0 μm) were scattered on the cell walls of root xylem. The present study revealed the effects of different PS bead sizes on accumulation and distribution in maize roots, as well as the absorption ability of different positions of the roots. Moreover, fluorescence intensity could be a useful method to evaluate the uptake and distribution of MPs accurately.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanbo Li
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Songliao Aquatic Environment, School of Municipal and Environmental Engineering, Jilin Jianzhu University, Changchun, Jilin, 130118, China
| | - Xiao Chang
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Grassland Farming, Northeast Institute of Geography and Agroecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun, Jilin, 130102, China
| | - Jukui Zhang
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Songliao Aquatic Environment, School of Municipal and Environmental Engineering, Jilin Jianzhu University, Changchun, Jilin, 130118, China
| | - Yuehong Wang
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Songliao Aquatic Environment, School of Municipal and Environmental Engineering, Jilin Jianzhu University, Changchun, Jilin, 130118, China
| | - Rongzhen Zhong
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Grassland Farming, Northeast Institute of Geography and Agroecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun, Jilin, 130102, China
| | - Lixia Wang
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Grassland Farming, Northeast Institute of Geography and Agroecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun, Jilin, 130102, China
| | - Jian Wei
- School of Biological Sciences, Changchun Normal University, Changchun, Jilin, 130000, China
| | - Ying Wang
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Songliao Aquatic Environment, School of Municipal and Environmental Engineering, Jilin Jianzhu University, Changchun, Jilin, 130118, China.
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Zhang C, Mu Y, Li T, Jin FJ, Jin CZ, Oh HM, Lee HG, Jin L. Assembly strategies for polyethylene-degrading microbial consortia based on the combination of omics tools and the "Plastisphere". Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1181967. [PMID: 37138608 PMCID: PMC10150012 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1181967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2023] [Accepted: 03/31/2023] [Indexed: 05/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Numerous microorganisms and other invertebrates that are able to degrade polyethylene (PE) have been reported. However, studies on PE biodegradation are still limited due to its extreme stability and the lack of explicit insights into the mechanisms and efficient enzymes involved in its metabolism by microorganisms. In this review, current studies of PE biodegradation, including the fundamental stages, important microorganisms and enzymes, and functional microbial consortia, were examined. Considering the bottlenecks in the construction of PE-degrading consortia, a combination of top-down and bottom-up approaches is proposed to identify the mechanisms and metabolites of PE degradation, related enzymes, and efficient synthetic microbial consortia. In addition, the exploration of the plastisphere based on omics tools is proposed as a future principal research direction for the construction of synthetic microbial consortia for PE degradation. Combining chemical and biological upcycling processes for PE waste could be widely applied in various fields to promote a sustainable environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chengxiao Zhang
- College of Biology and the Environment, Co-Innovation Centre for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yulin Mu
- College of Biology and the Environment, Co-Innovation Centre for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, China
| | - Taihua Li
- College of Biology and the Environment, Co-Innovation Centre for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, China
| | - Feng-Jie Jin
- College of Biology and the Environment, Co-Innovation Centre for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, China
| | - Chun-Zhi Jin
- Cell Factory Research Centre, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience & Biotechnology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Hee-Mock Oh
- Cell Factory Research Centre, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience & Biotechnology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyung-Gwan Lee
- Cell Factory Research Centre, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience & Biotechnology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
- Hyung-Gwan Lee,
| | - Long Jin
- College of Biology and the Environment, Co-Innovation Centre for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, China
- *Correspondence: Long Jin,
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20
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Jiménez‐Arroyo C, Tamargo A, Molinero N, Moreno‐Arribas MV. The gut microbiota, a key to understanding the health implications of micro(nano)plastics and their biodegradation. Microb Biotechnol 2022; 16:34-53. [PMID: 36415969 PMCID: PMC9803334 DOI: 10.1111/1751-7915.14182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The effects of plastic debris on the environment and plant, animal, and human health are a global challenge, with micro(nano)plastics (MNPs) being the main focus. MNPs are found so often in the food chain that they are provoking an increase in human intake. They have been detected in most categories of consumed foods, drinking water, and even human feces. Therefore, oral ingestion becomes the main source of exposure to MNPs, and the gastrointestinal tract, primarily the gut, constantly interacts with these small particles. The consequences of human exposure to MNPs remain unclear. However, current in vivo studies and in vitro gastrointestinal tract models have shown that MNPs of several types and sizes impact gut intestinal bacteria, affecting gut homeostasis. The typical microbiome signature of MNP ingestion is often associated with dysbiosis and loss of resilience, leads to frequent pathogen outbreaks, and local and systemic metabolic disorders. Moreover, the small micro- and nano-plastic particles found in animal tissues with accumulated evidence of microbial degradation of plastics/MNPs by bacteria and insect gut microbiota raise the issue of whether human gut bacteria make key contributions to the bio-transformation of ingested MNPs. Here, we discuss these issues and unveil the complex interplay between MNPs and the human gut microbiome. Therefore, the elucidation of the biological consequences of this interaction on both host and microbiota is undoubtedly challenging. It is expected that microbial biotechnology and microbiome research could help decipher the extent to which gut microorganisms diversify and MNP-determinant species, mechanisms, and enzymatic systems, as well as become important to understand our response to MNP exposure and provide background information to inspire future holistic studies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Alba Tamargo
- Instituto de Investigación en Ciencias de la Alimentación (CIAL)CSIC‐UAMMadridSpain
| | - Natalia Molinero
- Instituto de Investigación en Ciencias de la Alimentación (CIAL)CSIC‐UAMMadridSpain
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21
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Verschoor JA, Kusumawardhani H, Ram AFJ, de Winde JH. Toward Microbial Recycling and Upcycling of Plastics: Prospects and Challenges. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:821629. [PMID: 35401461 PMCID: PMC8985596 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.821629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2021] [Accepted: 02/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Annually, 400 Mt of plastics are produced of which roughly 40% is discarded within a year. Current plastic waste management approaches focus on applying physical, thermal, and chemical treatments of plastic polymers. However, these methods have severe limitations leading to the loss of valuable materials and resources. Another major drawback is the rapid accumulation of plastics into the environment causing one of the biggest environmental threats of the twenty-first century. Therefore, to complement current plastic management approaches novel routes toward plastic degradation and upcycling need to be developed. Enzymatic degradation and conversion of plastics present a promising approach toward sustainable recycling of plastics and plastics building blocks. However, the quest for novel enzymes that efficiently operate in cost-effective, large-scale plastics degradation poses many challenges. To date, a wide range of experimental set-ups has been reported, in many cases lacking a detailed investigation of microbial species exhibiting plastics degrading properties as well as of their corresponding plastics degrading enzymes. The apparent lack of consistent approaches compromises the necessary discovery of a wide range of novel enzymes. In this review, we discuss prospects and possibilities for efficient enzymatic degradation, recycling, and upcycling of plastics, in correlation with their wide diversity and broad utilization. Current methods for the identification and optimization of plastics degrading enzymes are compared and discussed. We present a framework for a standardized workflow, allowing transparent discovery and optimization of novel enzymes for efficient and sustainable plastics degradation in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jo-Anne Verschoor
- Molecular Biotechnology, Institute of Biology, Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands
| | | | - Arthur F. J. Ram
- Molecular Biotechnology, Institute of Biology, Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Johannes H. de Winde
- Molecular Biotechnology, Institute of Biology, Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands
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22
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Singh Jadaun J, Bansal S, Sonthalia A, Rai AK, Singh SP. Biodegradation of plastics for sustainable environment. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2022; 347:126697. [PMID: 35026422 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2022.126697] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2021] [Revised: 12/31/2021] [Accepted: 01/06/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Plastics are a kind of utility product that has become part and parcel of one's life. Their continuous usage, accumulation, and contamination of soil and water pose a severe threat to the biotic and abiotic components of the environment. It not only increases the carbon footprints but also contributes to global warming. This calls for an urgent need to develop novel strategies for the efficient degradation of plastics. The microbial strains equipped with the potential of degrading plastic materials, which can further be converted into usable products, are blessings for the ecosystem. This review comprehensively summarizes the microbial technologies to degrade different plastic types, such as polyethylene (PE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polystyrene (PS), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polypropylene (PP), and polyurethane (PU). The study also describes the utilization of degraded plastic material as feedstock for its conversion into high-value chemicals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jyoti Singh Jadaun
- Department of Botany, Dayanand Girls Postgraduate College, Kanpur 208001, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Shilpi Bansal
- ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, Pusa, New Delhi 10012, India
| | - Ankit Sonthalia
- SRM Institute of Science and Technology, NCR Campus, Modi Nagar- 201204, Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Amit K Rai
- Institute of Bioresources and Sustainable Development, Regional Centre, Tadong, Sikkim, India
| | - Sudhir P Singh
- Center of Innovative and Applied Bioprocessing, SAS Nagar, Mohali-140306, Punjab, India.
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23
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Cazaudehore G, Guyoneaud R, Evon P, Martin-Closas L, Pelacho AM, Raynaud C, Monlau F. Can anaerobic digestion be a suitable end-of-life scenario for biodegradable plastics? A critical review of the current situation, hurdles, and challenges. Biotechnol Adv 2022; 56:107916. [PMID: 35122986 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2022.107916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2021] [Revised: 01/20/2022] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Growing concern regarding non-biodegradable plastics and the impact of these materials on the environment has promoted interest in biodegradable plastics. The intensification of separate biowastes collection in most European countries has also contributed to the development of biodegradable plastics, and the subject of their end-of-life is becoming a key issue. To date, there has been relatively little research to evaluate the biodegradability of biodegradable plastics by anaerobic digestion (AD) compared to industrial and home composting. However, anaerobic digestion is a particularly promising strategy for treating biodegradable organic wastes in the context of circular waste management. This critical review aims to provide an in-depth update of anaerobic digestion of biodegradable plastics by providing a summary of the literature regarding process performances, parameters affecting biodegradability, the microorganisms involved, and some of the strategies (e.g., pretreatment, additives, and inoculum acclimation) used to enhance the degradation rate of biodegradable plastics. In addition, a critical section is dedicated to suggestions and recommendations for the development of biodegradable plastics sector and their treatment in anaerobic digestion.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Cazaudehore
- APESA, Pôle Valorisation, Cap Ecologia, 64230 Lescar, France; Université de Pau et des Pays de l'Adour/E2S UPPA/CNRS, IPREM UMR5254, Institut des Sciences Analytiques et de Physicochimie pour l'Environnement et les Matériaux, Chimie et Microbiologie de l'Environnement, 64000 Pau, France
| | - R Guyoneaud
- Université de Pau et des Pays de l'Adour/E2S UPPA/CNRS, IPREM UMR5254, Institut des Sciences Analytiques et de Physicochimie pour l'Environnement et les Matériaux, Chimie et Microbiologie de l'Environnement, 64000 Pau, France
| | - P Evon
- Laboratoire de Chimie Agro-industrielle (LCA), Université de Toulouse, ENSIACET, INRAE, INPT, 4 Allée Émile Monso, 31030 Toulouse Cedex 4, France
| | - L Martin-Closas
- Dept. Horticulture, Botany and Gardening, University of Lleida, Avda, Alcalde Rovira Roure 191, 25198 Lleida, Spain
| | - A M Pelacho
- Dept. Horticulture, Botany and Gardening, University of Lleida, Avda, Alcalde Rovira Roure 191, 25198 Lleida, Spain
| | - C Raynaud
- CATAR CRITT Agroressources, ENSIACET, 4 Allée Émile Monso, 31030 Toulouse Cedex 4, France
| | - F Monlau
- APESA, Pôle Valorisation, Cap Ecologia, 64230 Lescar, France.
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24
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Chattopadhyay I. Role of microbiome and biofilm in environmental plastic degradation. BIOCATALYSIS AND AGRICULTURAL BIOTECHNOLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bcab.2021.102263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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25
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Eisenkraft A, Maor Y, Constantini K, Goldstein N, Nachman D, Levy R, Halberthal M, Horowitz NA, Golan R, Rosenberg E, Lavon E, Cohen O, Shapira G, Shomron N, Ishay AB, Sand E, Merin R, Fons M, Littman R, Gepner Y. Continuous Remote Patient Monitoring Shows Early Cardiovascular Changes in COVID-19 Patients. J Clin Med 2021; 10:4218. [PMID: 34575328 PMCID: PMC8468944 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10184218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2021] [Revised: 09/14/2021] [Accepted: 09/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
COVID-19 exerts deleterious cardiopulmonary effects, leading to a worse prognosis in the most affected. This retrospective multi-center observational cohort study aimed to analyze the trajectories of key vitals amongst hospitalized COVID-19 patients using a chest-patch wearable providing continuous remote patient monitoring of numerous vital signs. The study was conducted in five COVID-19 isolation units. A total of 492 COVID-19 patients were included in the final analysis. Physiological parameters were measured every 15 min. More than 3 million measurements were collected including heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, cardiac output, cardiac index, systemic vascular resistance, respiratory rate, blood oxygen saturation, and body temperature. Cardiovascular deterioration appeared early after admission and in parallel with changes in the respiratory parameters, showing a significant difference in trajectories within sub-populations at high risk. Early detection of cardiovascular deterioration of COVID-19 patients is achievable when using frequent remote patient monitoring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arik Eisenkraft
- Institute for Research in Military Medicine, The Hebrew University Faculty of Medicine, P.O. Box 12272, Jerusalem 9112102, Israel;
- The Israel Defense Force Medical Corps, P.O. Box 12272, Jerusalem 9112102, Israel
- Biobeat Technologies Ltd., 22 Efal St., Petah Tikva 4951122, Israel; (A.B.I.); (E.S.); (R.M.); (M.F.); (R.L.)
| | - Yasmin Maor
- Wolfson Medical Center, 62 Ha-Lokhamim St. 62, Holon 58100, Israel; (Y.M.); (O.C.)
- The Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, P.O. Box 39040, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel; (G.S.); (N.S.)
| | - Keren Constantini
- Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, Sackler Faculty of Medicine and Sylvan Adams Sports Institute, Tel Aviv University, P.O. Box 39040, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel; (K.C.); (N.G.); (Y.G.)
| | - Nir Goldstein
- Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, Sackler Faculty of Medicine and Sylvan Adams Sports Institute, Tel Aviv University, P.O. Box 39040, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel; (K.C.); (N.G.); (Y.G.)
| | - Dean Nachman
- Institute for Research in Military Medicine, The Hebrew University Faculty of Medicine, P.O. Box 12272, Jerusalem 9112102, Israel;
- The Israel Defense Force Medical Corps, P.O. Box 12272, Jerusalem 9112102, Israel
- Heart Institute, Hadassah Ein Kerem Medical Center, P.O. Box 911201, Jerusalem 9112102, Israel
| | - Ran Levy
- Maccabi Healthcare Services, P.O. Box 50493, Tel Aviv 68125, Israel;
| | - Michael Halberthal
- General Directorate Rambam Health Care Campus, P.O. Box 9602, Haifa 3109601, Israel; (M.H.); (N.A.H.)
- The Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion, P.O. Box 9649, Haifa 3525433, Israel
| | - Netanel A. Horowitz
- General Directorate Rambam Health Care Campus, P.O. Box 9602, Haifa 3109601, Israel; (M.H.); (N.A.H.)
- The Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion, P.O. Box 9649, Haifa 3525433, Israel
| | - Ron Golan
- The Baruch Padeh Medical Center Poriya, The Faculty of Medicine in Galilee, Bar Ilan University, Upper Galilee, Poria 1528001, Israel;
| | - Elli Rosenberg
- Internal Medicine A, The Soroka University Medical Center, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, P.O. Box 151, Be’er Sheva 84101, Israel;
| | - Eitan Lavon
- The Kaplan Medical Center, The Hebrew University Faculty of Medicine, P.O. Box 1, Rehovot 76100, Israel;
| | - Ornit Cohen
- Wolfson Medical Center, 62 Ha-Lokhamim St. 62, Holon 58100, Israel; (Y.M.); (O.C.)
- The Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, P.O. Box 39040, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel; (G.S.); (N.S.)
- Faculty of Health Science, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, P.O. Box 653, Be’er Sheva 8410501, Israel
| | - Guy Shapira
- The Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, P.O. Box 39040, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel; (G.S.); (N.S.)
| | - Noam Shomron
- The Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, P.O. Box 39040, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel; (G.S.); (N.S.)
| | - Arik Ben Ishay
- Biobeat Technologies Ltd., 22 Efal St., Petah Tikva 4951122, Israel; (A.B.I.); (E.S.); (R.M.); (M.F.); (R.L.)
| | - Efrat Sand
- Biobeat Technologies Ltd., 22 Efal St., Petah Tikva 4951122, Israel; (A.B.I.); (E.S.); (R.M.); (M.F.); (R.L.)
| | - Roei Merin
- Biobeat Technologies Ltd., 22 Efal St., Petah Tikva 4951122, Israel; (A.B.I.); (E.S.); (R.M.); (M.F.); (R.L.)
| | - Meir Fons
- Biobeat Technologies Ltd., 22 Efal St., Petah Tikva 4951122, Israel; (A.B.I.); (E.S.); (R.M.); (M.F.); (R.L.)
| | - Romi Littman
- Biobeat Technologies Ltd., 22 Efal St., Petah Tikva 4951122, Israel; (A.B.I.); (E.S.); (R.M.); (M.F.); (R.L.)
| | - Yftach Gepner
- Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, Sackler Faculty of Medicine and Sylvan Adams Sports Institute, Tel Aviv University, P.O. Box 39040, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel; (K.C.); (N.G.); (Y.G.)
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