Project description:Although the biodegradation of biodegradable plastics in soil and compost is well-studied, there is little knowledge on the metabolic mechanisms of synthetic polymers degradation by marine microorganisms. Here, we present a multiomics study to elucidate the biodegradation mechanism of a commercial aromatic-aliphatic copolyester film by a marine microbial enrichment culture. The plastic film and each monomer can be used as sole carbon source. Our analysis showed that the consortium synergistically degrades the polymer, different degradation steps being performed by different members of the community. Analysis of gene expression and translation profiles revealed that the relevant degradation processes in the marine consortium are closely related to poly(ethylene terephthalate) biodegradation from terrestrial microbes. Although there are multiple genes and organisms with the potential to perform a degradation step, only a few of these are active during biodegradation. Our results elucidate the potential of marine microorganisms to mineralize biodegradable plastic polymers and describe the mechanisms of labor division within the community to get maximum energetic yield from a complex synthetic substrate.
2020-09-25 | PXD018391 | Pride
Project description:Microbial communities in a soybean field for three years of biodegradable mulch film use
Project description:<p>The increasing application of biodegradable mulch films in agriculture has raised concerns regarding the potential persistence of biodegradable microplastics (BMPs) in soil and their subsequent ecological impacts. Although these materials are designed to mineralize, their actual rates of breakdown under field conditions vary widely, and the role of plant roots in modulating BMP transformation through the rhizosphere effect remains poorly understood. In particular, how the complex biochemical environment of the rhizosphere influences BMP degradation and byproduct accumulation represents a critical knowledge gap. Here we show that the soybean rhizosphere significantly enhances the degradation of 1% (w/w) large (998.7 ± 74.6 μm) poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) microplastics (PBAT-MPs), whereas small (145.6 ± 3.1 μm) particles remain largely protected within soil aggregates over a 70-day growth cycle. This size-dependent effect is accompanied by preferential hydrolysis of aliphatic adipate units, leading to greater accumulation of degradation monomers in the rhizosphere than in bulk soil. We further demonstrate that PBAT degradation is associated with increased microbial biomass, altered soil carbon pools, and the enrichment of Proteobacteria, particularly Bradyrhizobium and Ramlibacter, which are linked to PBAT hydrolysis and metabolite utilization. These findings redefine the role of plant roots in regulating the fate of biodegradable microplastics in soil and highlight that biodegradable mulches cannot be assumed to degrade benignly under realistic agricultural conditions. Our work underscores the need for rhizosphere relevant criteria when assessing the environmental safety of biodegradable plastics.</p>
2026-01-07 | MTBLS12524 | MetaboLights
Project description:Comparison of the Effects of LDPE and PBAT Film Residues on Soil Microbial Ecology
| PRJNA1083493 | ENA
Project description:Soil microbial communities associated with biodegradable plastic mulch films