Metatranscriptome profile of agricultural microbial communities enriched for plastitrophy.

ABSTRACT: This study identified potential plastic-degrading microorganisms and enzymes in agricultural soils using a novel two-phase enrichment approach. By culturing agricultural soil in a Winogradsky column supplemented with polyethylene (PE) sheets, followed by culture in minimal medium with low-density polyethylene (LDPE) microplastic, we identified 192 genes specifically upregulated in LDPE conditions, including 10 genes encoding known plastizymes and 182 genes encoding putative plastic-degrading enzymes. Detailed enzyme classification revealed predominant roles for oxygenases (20%) and dehydrogenases (19%), with specific subclasses showing distinct distribution patterns. These findings expand our understanding of microbial responses to plastics in agricultural environments and provide a founda

SUBMITTER: Olabemiwo FA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12396202 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature