biostudies-literatureChen Zthe Local College Capacity Building Projectthe Shanghai Pudong New Area Livelihood Research Projectthe General Program of the National Natural Science Foundation of China207https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC12843709biostudies-literatureUnknown14(1)Polyester fibers are extensively used in textiles, packaging, and industrial applications due to their durability and excellent mechanical properties. However, high-crystallinity polyester fibers represent a major challenge in plastic waste management due to their resistance to biodegradation. This study evaluated the biodegradation potential of environmental <i>Bacillus</i> isolates, obtained from mold-contaminated black bean plastic bags, toward polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and industrial-grade polyester fibers under mesophilic conditions. Among thirteen isolates, five (<i>Bacillus altitudinis</i> N5, <i>Bacillus subtilis</i> N6, and others) exhibited measurable degradation within 30 days, with mass losses up to 5-6% and corresponding rate constants of 0.04-0.05 day^-1. A cMicroorganismsScreening, Identification, and Degradation Mechanism of Polyester Fiber-Degrading Bacteria.PMC1284370942571076PKJ2023 - C07 and PKJ2024 - C0223010500500Tang JChen QChen ZPeng SGu WBai JfalseScreening, Identification, and Degradation Mechanism of Polyester Fiber-Degrading Bacteria.Polyester fibers are extensively used in textiles, packaging, and industrial applications due to their durability and excellent mechanical properties. However, high-crystallinity polyester fibers represent a major challenge in plastic waste management due to their resistance to biodegradation. This study evaluated the biodegradation potential of environmental <i>Bacillus</i> isolates, obtained from mold-contaminated black bean plastic bags, toward polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and industrial-grade polyester fibers under mesophilic conditions. Among thirteen isolates, five (<i>Bacillus altitudinis</i> N5, <i>Bacillus subtilis</i> N6, and others) exhibited measurable degradation within 30 days, with mass losses up to 5-6% and corresponding rate constants of 0.04-0.05 day^-1. A c2026-01-01T00:00:00Z2026 Jan2026-06-15T03:17:38.731Z2026-06-15T03:08:40.238ZS-EPMC128437094159772510.3390/microorganisms14010207