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Boctor J, Pandey G, Xu W, Murphy DV, Hoyle FC. Nature's Plastic Predators: A Comprehensive and Bibliometric Review of Plastivore Insects. Polymers (Basel) 2024; 16:1671. [PMID: 38932021 PMCID: PMC11207432 DOI: 10.3390/polym16121671] [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: 04/08/2024] [Revised: 05/31/2024] [Accepted: 06/07/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Unprecedented plastic production has resulted in over six billion tons of harmful waste. Certain insect taxa emerge as potential agents of plastic biodegradation. Through a comprehensive manual and bibliometric literature analysis, this review analyses and consolidates the growing literature related to insect-mediated plastic breakdown. Over 23 insect species, representing Coleoptera, Lepidoptera, and 4 other orders, have been identified for their capacity to consume plastic polymers. Natural and synthetic polymers exhibit high-level similarities in molecular structure and properties. Thus, in conjunction with comparative genomics studies, we link plastic-degrading enzymatic capabilities observed in certain insects to the exaptation of endogenous enzymes originally evolved for digesting lignin, cellulose, beeswax, keratin and chitin from their native dietary substrates. Further clarification is necessary to distinguish mineralisation from physicochemical fragmentation and to differentiate microbiome-mediated degradation from direct enzymatic reactions by insects. A bibliometric analysis of the exponentially growing body of literature showed that leading research is emerging from China and the USA. Analogies between natural and synthetic polymer's degradation pathways will inform engineering robust enzymes for practical plastic bioremediation applications. By aggregating, analysing, and interpreting published insights, this review consolidates our mechanistic understanding of insects as a potential natural solution to the escalating plastic waste crisis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph Boctor
- Bioplastics Innovation Hub, Food Futures Institute, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia; (W.X.); (D.V.M.); (F.C.H.)
| | - Gunjan Pandey
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Environment, Acton, ACT 2601, Australia;
| | - Wei Xu
- Bioplastics Innovation Hub, Food Futures Institute, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia; (W.X.); (D.V.M.); (F.C.H.)
| | - Daniel V. Murphy
- Bioplastics Innovation Hub, Food Futures Institute, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia; (W.X.); (D.V.M.); (F.C.H.)
- SoilsWest, Centre for Sustainable Farming Systems, Food Futures Institute, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia
| | - Frances C. Hoyle
- Bioplastics Innovation Hub, Food Futures Institute, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia; (W.X.); (D.V.M.); (F.C.H.)
- SoilsWest, Centre for Sustainable Farming Systems, Food Futures Institute, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia
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Černoša A, Cortizas AM, Traoré M, Podlogar M, Danevčič T, Gunde-Cimerman N, Gostinčar C. A screening method for plastic-degrading fungi. Heliyon 2024; 10:e31130. [PMID: 38803974 PMCID: PMC11128935 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e31130] [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: 01/22/2024] [Revised: 05/06/2024] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024] Open
Abstract
The growing amount of plastic waste requires new ways of disposal or recycling. Research into the biodegradation of recalcitrant plastic polymers is gathering pace. Despite some progress, these efforts have not yet led to technologically and economically viable applications. In this study, we show that respirometric screening of environmental fungal isolates in combination with scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and Raman spectroscopy can be used to identify new strains with the potential for the degradation of plastic polymers. We screened 146 fungal strains, 71 isolated from car repair shops, an environment rich in long-chain hydrocarbons, and 75 isolated from hypersaline water capable of growing at high concentrations of NaCl. When grown in a minimal medium with no carbon source, some strains produced significantly more CO2 when a pure plastic polymer was added to the medium, some only at high salinity. A selection of these strains was shown by FTIR and Raman spectroscopy to alter the properties of plastic polymers: Cladosporium sp. EXF-13502 on polyamide, Rhodotorula dairenensis EXF-13500 on polypropylene, Rhodotorula sp. EXF-10630 on low-density polyethylene and Wickerhamomyces anomalus EXF-6848 on polyethylene terephthalate. Respirometry in combination with specific spectroscopic methods is an efficient method for screening microorganisms capable of at least partial plastic degradation and can be used to expand the repertoire of potential plastic degraders. This is of particular importance as our results also show that individual strains are only active against certain polymers and under certain conditions. Therefore, efficient biodegradation of plastics is likely to depend on a collection of specialized microorganisms rather than a single universal plastic degrader.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anja Černoša
- University of Ljubljana, Biotechnical Faculty, Department of Biology, Jamnikarjeva 101, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
- InnoRenew CoE, Livade 6a, 6310 Izola, Slovenia
| | - Antonio Martínez Cortizas
- CRETUS, EcoPast research group (GI-1553), Departamento de Edafoloxía e Química Agrícola, Faculty of Biology, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Campus Vida, 15782, Spain
- Bolin Centre for Climate Research, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Mohamed Traoré
- CRETUS, EcoPast research group (GI-1553), Departamento de Edafoloxía e Química Agrícola, Faculty of Biology, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Campus Vida, 15782, Spain
| | - Matejka Podlogar
- Department for Nanostructured Materials, Jožef Stefan Institute, Jamova cesta 39, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Tjaša Danevčič
- University of Ljubljana, Biotechnical Faculty, Department of Microbiology, Jamnikarjeva 101, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Nina Gunde-Cimerman
- University of Ljubljana, Biotechnical Faculty, Department of Biology, Jamnikarjeva 101, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Cene Gostinčar
- University of Ljubljana, Biotechnical Faculty, Department of Biology, Jamnikarjeva 101, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
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Isola D, Lee HJ, Chung YJ, Zucconi L, Pelosi C. Once upon a Time, There Was a Piece of Wood: Present Knowledge and Future Perspectives in Fungal Deterioration of Wooden Cultural Heritage in Terrestrial Ecosystems and Diagnostic Tools. J Fungi (Basel) 2024; 10:366. [PMID: 38786721 PMCID: PMC11122135 DOI: 10.3390/jof10050366] [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: 02/28/2024] [Revised: 04/22/2024] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Wooden Cultural Heritage (WCH) represents a significant portion of the world's historical and artistic heritage, consisting of immovable and movable artefacts. Despite the expertise developed since ancient times to enhance its durability, wooden artefacts are inevitably prone to degradation. Fungi play a pivotal role in the deterioration of WCH in terrestrial ecosystems, accelerating its decay and leading to alterations in color and strength. Reviewing the literature of the last 25 years, we aimed to provide a comprehensive overview of fungal diversity affecting WCH, the biochemical processes involved in wood decay, and the diagnostic tools available for fungal identification and damage evaluation. Climatic conditions influence the occurrence of fungal species in threatened WCH, characterized by a prevalence of wood-rot fungi (e.g., Serpula lacrymans, Coniophora puteana) in architectural heritage in temperate and continental climates and Ascomycota in indoor and harsh environments. More efforts are needed to address the knowledge fragmentation concerning biodiversity, the biology of the fungi involved, and succession in the degradative process, which is frequently centered solely on the main actors. Multidisciplinary collaboration among engineers, restorers, and life sciences scientists is vital for tackling the challenges posed by climate change with increased awareness. Traditional microbiology and culture collections are fundamental in laying solid foundations for a more comprehensive interpretation of big data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Isola
- Department of Economics, Engineering, Society and Business Organization (DEIM), University of Tuscia, Largo dell’Università Snc, 01100 Viterbo, Italy;
| | - Hyun-Ju Lee
- Institute of Preventive Conservation for Cultural Heritage, Korea National University of Cultural Heritage, Buyeo 33115, Republic of Korea;
| | - Yong-Jae Chung
- Department of Heritage Conservation and Restoration, Graduate School of Cultural Heritage, Korea National University of Cultural Heritage, Buyeo 33115, Republic of Korea;
| | - Laura Zucconi
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences (DEB), University of Tuscia, Largo dell’Università Snc, 01100 Viterbo, Italy;
| | - Claudia Pelosi
- Department of Economics, Engineering, Society and Business Organization (DEIM), University of Tuscia, Largo dell’Università Snc, 01100 Viterbo, Italy;
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Cox RJ. Engineered and total biosynthesis of fungal specialized metabolites. Nat Rev Chem 2024; 8:61-78. [PMID: 38172201 DOI: 10.1038/s41570-023-00564-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
Filamentous fungi produce a very wide range of complex and often bioactive metabolites, demonstrating their inherent ability as hosts of complex biosynthetic pathways. Recent advances in molecular sciences related to fungi have afforded the development of new tools that allow the rational total biosynthesis of highly complex specialized metabolites in a single process. Increasingly, these pathways can also be engineered to produce new metabolites. Engineering can be at the level of gene deletion, gene addition, formation of mixed pathways, engineering of scaffold synthases and engineering of tailoring enzymes. Combination of these approaches with hosts that can metabolize low-value waste streams opens the prospect of one-step syntheses from garbage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Russell J Cox
- Institute for Organic Chemistry and BMWZ, Leibniz University of Hannover, Hannover, Germany.
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