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Lu B, Lou Y, Wang J, Liu Q, Yang SS, Ren N, Wu WM, Xing D. Understanding the Ecological Robustness and Adaptability of the Gut Microbiome in Plastic-Degrading Superworms ( Zophobas atratus) in Response to Microplastics and Antibiotics. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2024; 58:12028-12041. [PMID: 38838251 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.4c01692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2024]
Abstract
Recent discoveries indicate that several insect larvae are capable of ingesting and biodegrading plastics rapidly and symbiotically, but the ecological adaptability of the larval gut microbiome to microplastics (MPs) remains unclear. Here, we described the gut microbiome assemblage and MP biodegradation of superworms (Zophobas atratus larvae) fed MPs of five major petroleum-based polymers (polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, and polyethylene terephthalate) and antibiotics. The shift of molecular weight distribution, characteristic peaks of C═O, and metabolic intermediates of residual polymers in egested frass proved depolymerization and biodegradation of all MPs tested in the larval intestines, even under antibiotic suppression. Superworms showed a wide adaptation to the digestion of the five polymer MPs. Antibiotic suppression negatively influenced the survival rate and plastic depolymerization patterns. The larval gut microbiomes differed from those fed MPs and antibiotics, indicating that antibiotic supplementation substantially shaped the gut microbiome composition. The larval gut microbiomes fed MPs had higher network complexity and stability than those fed MPs and antibiotics, suggesting that the ecological robustness of the gut microbiomes ensured the functional adaptability of larvae to different MPs. In addition, Mantel's test indicated that the gut microbiome assemblage was obviously related to the polymer type, the plastic degradability, antibiotic stress, and larval survival rate. This finding provided novel insights into the self-adaptation of the gut microbiome of superworms in response to different MPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baiyun Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, P. R. China
| | - Yu Lou
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, P. R. China
| | - Jing Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, P. R. China
| | - Qiang Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, P. R. China
| | - Shan-Shan Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, P. R. China
| | - Nanqi Ren
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, P. R. China
| | - Wei-Min Wu
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Department of Chemistry, William & Cloy Codiga Resource Recovery Center, Center for Sustainable Development & Global Competitiveness, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, United States
| | - Defeng Xing
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, P. R. China
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Pandey D, Singh A, Ramanathan A, Kumar M. The combined exposure of microplastics and toxic contaminants in the floodplains of north India: A review. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2021; 279:111557. [PMID: 33223351 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2020.111557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2020] [Revised: 09/14/2020] [Accepted: 10/04/2020] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics in aquatic ecosystem are an emerging environmental threat, primarily aggregating into sediments and living biota besides providing active transportation to toxic pollutants. Recent studies have revealed that a microplastic surface cannot be considered as "inert" and therefore the rate and stage of degradation of microplastic will determine its capability in adsorbing and transporting the solute to longer distances. Our concern is driven by the fact that there has been an absence of widescale research in India despite a country with one of the longest networks of rivers and a 7500 km long active coastline. Anthropogenic pollutants are expected to increase and the situation will further worsen when more persistent organic pollutants (POCs) and geogenic contaminants will find its sink via monsoon runoff. Studies on aquatic species including COD, daphnia magna and zebrafish suggest strong links of bio-accumulation, suspecting to a more serious situation for the coastal India where there is an almost three times increase in the density of the microplastics as the monsoon progresses. Evidences also suggests that microplastics can adsorb known carcinogens as well as endocrine disrupting chemicals leaving our aquatic life exposed to higher mortality. Our review is a first ever scientific attempt in compiling these evidences through researches done in this field to understand the risk that the major floodplains of North India are currently facing. We have adapted the theories and inferences of the available research to predict and postulate a probable mechanism that could explain the severity of the situation in India.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deeptija Pandey
- Discipline of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Gandhinagar, 382355, India
| | - Ashwin Singh
- Discipline of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Gandhinagar, 382355, India
| | - Alagappan Ramanathan
- School of Environmental Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, 110067, India
| | - Manish Kumar
- Discipline of Earth Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology, Gandhinagar, 382355, India.
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Mohanan N, Montazer Z, Sharma PK, Levin DB. Microbial and Enzymatic Degradation of Synthetic Plastics. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:580709. [PMID: 33324366 PMCID: PMC7726165 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.580709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 233] [Impact Index Per Article: 58.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2020] [Accepted: 10/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Synthetic plastics are pivotal in our current lifestyle and therefore, its accumulation is a major concern for environment and human health. Petroleum-derived (petro-)polymers such as polyethylene (PE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyurethane (PU), polystyrene (PS), polypropylene (PP), and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) are extremely recalcitrant to natural biodegradation pathways. Some microorganisms with the ability to degrade petro-polymers under in vitro conditions have been isolated and characterized. In some cases, the enzymes expressed by these microbes have been cloned and sequenced. The rate of polymer biodegradation depends on several factors including chemical structures, molecular weights, and degrees of crystallinity. Polymers are large molecules having both regular crystals (crystalline region) and irregular groups (amorphous region), where the latter provides polymers with flexibility. Highly crystalline polymers like polyethylene (95%), are rigid with a low capacity to resist impacts. PET-based plastics possess a high degree of crystallinity (30-50%), which is one of the principal reasons for their low rate of microbial degradation, which is projected to take more than 50 years for complete degraded in the natural environment, and hundreds of years if discarded into the oceans, due to their lower temperature and oxygen availability. The enzymatic degradation occurs in two stages: adsorption of enzymes on the polymer surface, followed by hydro-peroxidation/hydrolysis of the bonds. The sources of plastic-degrading enzymes can be found in microorganisms from various environments as well as digestive intestine of some invertebrates. Microbial and enzymatic degradation of waste petro-plastics is a promising strategy for depolymerization of waste petro-plastics into polymer monomers for recycling, or to covert waste plastics into higher value bioproducts, such as biodegradable polymers via mineralization. The objective of this review is to outline the advances made in the microbial degradation of synthetic plastics and, overview the enzymes involved in biodegradation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nisha Mohanan
- Department of Biosystems Engineering, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Zahra Montazer
- Faculty of Food Engineering, The Educational Complex of Agriculture and Animal Science, Torbat-e-jam, Iran
| | - Parveen K. Sharma
- Department of Biosystems Engineering, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - David B. Levin
- Department of Biosystems Engineering, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
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McGivney E, Cederholm L, Barth A, Hakkarainen M, Hamacher-Barth E, Ogonowski M, Gorokhova E. Rapid Physicochemical Changes in Microplastic Induced by Biofilm Formation. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2020; 8:205. [PMID: 32266235 PMCID: PMC7103643 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2020.00205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2019] [Accepted: 03/02/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Risk assessment of microplastic (MP) pollution requires understanding biodegradation processes and related changes in polymer properties. In the environment, there are two-way interactions between the MP properties and biofilm communities: (i) microorganisms may prefer some surfaces, and (ii) MP surface properties change during the colonization and weathering. In a 2-week experiment, we studied these interactions using three model plastic beads (polyethylene [PE], polypropylene [PP], and polystyrene [PS]) exposed to ambient bacterioplankton assemblage from the Baltic Sea; the control beads were exposed to bacteria-free water. For each polymer, the physicochemical properties (compression, crystallinity, surface chemistry, hydrophobicity, and surface topography) were compared before and after exposure under controlled laboratory conditions. Furthermore, we characterized the bacterial communities on the MP surfaces using 16S rRNA gene sequencing and correlated community diversity to the physicochemical properties of the MP. Significant changes in PE crystallinity, PP stiffness, and PS maximum compression were observed as a result of exposure to bacteria. Moreover, there were significant correlations between bacterial diversity and some physicochemical characteristics (crystallinity, stiffness, and surface roughness). These changes coincided with variation in the relative abundance of unique OTUs, mostly related to the PE samples having significantly higher contribution of Sphingobium, Novosphingobium, and uncultured Planctomycetaceae compared to the other test materials, whereas PP and PS samples had significantly higher abundance of Sphingobacteriales and Alphaproteobacteria, indicating possible involvement of these taxa in the initial biodegradation steps. Our findings demonstrate measurable signs of MP weathering under short-term exposure to environmentally relevant microbial communities at conditions resembling those in the water column. A systematic approach for the characterization of the biodegrading capacity in different systems will improve the risk assessment of plastic litter in aquatic environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric McGivney
- Department of Environmental Science, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Linnea Cederholm
- Department of Fibre and Polymer Technology, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Andreas Barth
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Minna Hakkarainen
- Department of Fibre and Polymer Technology, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | - Martin Ogonowski
- Department of Environmental Science, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Elena Gorokhova
- Department of Environmental Science, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
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Bezerra EB, França DCD, Morais DDDS, Silva IDDS, Siqueira DD, Araújo EM, Wellen RMR. Compatibility and characterization of Bio-PE/PCL blends. POLIMEROS 2019. [DOI: 10.1590/0104-1428.02518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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Bombelli P, Howe CJ, Bertocchini F. Polyethylene bio-degradation by caterpillars of the wax moth Galleria mellonella. Curr Biol 2018; 27:R292-R293. [PMID: 28441558 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2017.02.060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 182] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Plastics are synthetic polymers derived from fossil oil and largely resistant to biodegradation. Polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) represent ∼92% of total plastic production. PE is largely utilized in packaging, representing ∼40% of total demand for plastic products (www.plasticseurope.org) with over a trillion plastic bags used every year [1]. Plastic production has increased exponentially in the past 50 years (Figure S1A in Supplemental Information, published with this article online). In the 27 EU countries plus Norway and Switzerland up to 38% of plastic is discarded in landfills, with the rest utilized for recycling (26%) and energy recovery (36%) via combustion (www.plasticseurope.org), carrying a heavy environmental impact. Therefore, new solutions for plastic degradation are urgently needed. We report the fast bio-degradation of PE by larvae of the wax moth Galleria mellonella, producing ethylene glycol.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paolo Bombelli
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Downing Site, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, UK
| | - Christopher J Howe
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Downing Site, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, UK.
| | - Federica Bertocchini
- Instituto de Biomedicina y Biotecnologia de Cantabria-CSIC-Universidad de Cantabria-SODERCAN, Av.da A. Einstein, Santander, Spain.
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Effect of Injection Molding Melt Temperatures on PLGA Craniofacial Plate Properties during In Vitro Degradation. Int J Biomater 2017; 2017:1256537. [PMID: 29056968 PMCID: PMC5606095 DOI: 10.1155/2017/1256537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2017] [Revised: 07/24/2017] [Accepted: 07/30/2017] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The purpose of this article is to present mechanical and physicochemical properties during in vitro degradation of PLGA material as craniofacial plates based on different values of injection molded temperatures. Injection molded plates were submitted to in vitro degradation in a thermostat bath at 37 ± 1°C by 16 weeks. The material was removed after 15, 30, 60, and 120 days; then bending stiffness, crystallinity, molecular weights, and viscoelasticity were studied. A significant decrease of molecular weight and mechanical properties over time and a difference in FT-IR after 60 days showed faster degradation of the material in the geometry studied. DSC analysis confirmed that the crystallization occurred, especially in higher melt temperature condition. DMA analysis suggests a greater contribution of the viscous component of higher temperature than lower temperature in thermomechanical behavior. The results suggest that physical-mechanical properties of PLGA plates among degradation differ per injection molding temperatures.
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Karimi M, Biria D. The synergetic effect of starch and alpha amylase on the biodegradation of n-alkanes. CHEMOSPHERE 2016; 152:166-172. [PMID: 26971168 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2016.02.120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2015] [Revised: 02/22/2016] [Accepted: 02/28/2016] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
The impact of adding soluble starch on biodegradation of n-alkanes (C10-C14) by Bacillus subtilis TB1 was investigated. Gas chromatography was employed to measure the residual hydrocarbons in the system. It was observed that the efficiency of biodegradation improved with the presence of starch and the obtained residual hydrocarbons in the system were 53% less than the samples without starch. The produced bacterial enzymes were studied through electrophoresis and reverse zymography for explaining the observations. The results indicated that the produced amylase by the bacteria can degrade hydrocarbons and the same was obtained by the application of a commercial alpha amylase sample. In addition, in silico docking of alpha-amylase with n-alkanes with different molecular weights was studied by Molegro virtual docker which showed high negative binding energies and further substantiated the experimental observations. Overall, the findings confirmed the catalytic effect of alpha amylase on n-alkanes degradation.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Karimi
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Advanced Sciences and Technologies, University of Isfahan, Hezar Jarib Ave., Isfahan, Iran
| | - D Biria
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Advanced Sciences and Technologies, University of Isfahan, Hezar Jarib Ave., Isfahan, Iran.
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Pang MM, Pun MY, Ishak ZAM. Degradation studies during water absorption, aerobic biodegradation, and soil burial of biobased thermoplastic starch from agricultural waste/polypropylene blends. J Appl Polym Sci 2013. [DOI: 10.1002/app.39123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
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Abstract
With more and more plastics being employed in human lives and increasing pressure being placed on capacities available for plastic waste disposal, the need for biodegradable plastics and biodegradation of plastic wastes has assumed increasing importance in the last few years. This review looks at the technological advancement made in the development of more easily biodegradable plastics and the biodegradation of conventional plastics by microorganisms. Additives, such as pro-oxidants and starch, are applied in synthetic materials to modify and make plastics biodegradable. Recent research has shown that thermoplastics derived from polyolefins, traditionally considered resistant to biodegradation in ambient environment, are biodegraded following photo-degradation and chemical degradation. Thermoset plastics, such as aliphatic polyester and polyester polyurethane, are easily attacked by microorganisms directly because of the potential hydrolytic cleavage of ester or urethane bonds in their structures. Some microorganisms have been isolated to utilize polyurethane as a sole source of carbon and nitrogen source. Aliphatic-aromatic copolyesters have active commercial applications because of their good mechanical properties and biodegradability. Reviewing published and ongoing studies on plastic biodegradation, this paper attempts to make conclusions on potentially viable methods to reduce impacts of plastic waste on the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Zheng
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
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Kaczmarek H, Ołdak D. The effect of UV-irradiation on composting of polyethylene modified by cellulose. Polym Degrad Stab 2006. [DOI: 10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2006.04.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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Ratanakamnuan U, Aht-Ong D. Photobiodegradation of low-density polyethylene/banana starch films. J Appl Polym Sci 2006. [DOI: 10.1002/app.23048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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Kaczmarek H, Ołdak D, Malanowski P, Chaberska H. Effect of short wavelength UV-irradiation on ageing of polypropylene/cellulose compositions. Polym Degrad Stab 2005. [DOI: 10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2004.04.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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