Plastic-Degrading Microbial Consortia from a Wastewater Treatment Plant.

ABSTRACT: Plastic waste pollution has become a global crisis, with millions of tons of plastic expected to accumulate in landfills and in natural environments, posing a serious threat to wildlife and human health. As current recycling methods remain inefficient, there is an urgent need for innovative enzymatic solutions to break down plastics and enable a circular economy approach. In this study, we explore the plastic-degrading potential of microorganisms enriched from activated sludge (AS) sourced from a municipal wastewater treatment plant (WWTP)-a known microplastic-contaminated industrial niche. Five microbial consortia (i.e., microbiomes) were enriched under selective pressure using low-carbon conditions and high concentrations of polyester polymers, including post-consumer PET, post-consumer

SUBMITTER: Salini A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11641126 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature