Omar Khalid
Plastic pollution is one of the most pressing environmental issues of our time, with an estimated 109 million tonnes of plastic waste in the world's rivers and 30 million tonnes in the oceans. As plastic does not naturally decompose, it persists in the environment, killing marine life and ending up in massive garbage gyres in the oceans. However, mushrooms and their mycoremediation abilities offer a promising solution to this crisis. Certain mushroom species, such as Pestalotiopsis microspora, Aspergillus tubingensis, and oyster mushrooms, have been found to break down plastics like polyurethane and polypropylene, which account for a significant portion of global plastic waste. These mushrooms can convert plastic into organic matter, even in challenging conditions like landfills. While the technology for large-scale plastic degradation by mushrooms is still in its early stages, it presents a potential natural solution to combat plastic pollution and reduce our environmental impact.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Mushroom Species | Pestalotiopsis, Aspergillus tubingensis, Aspergillus terreus, Engyodontium album, Oyster mushroom |
| Plastic Types | Polyurethane, Polypropylene |
| Plastic Products | Food containers, coat hangers, cling film, packaging, toys, car parts, textiles, fake leather, sponges, synthetic fibers |
| Mushroom Features | Can use plastic as a carbon source, can grow in oxygen-starved environments, produces enzymes and mycelia |
| Applications | At-home recycling, commercial recycling, clothing, building materials, biofuel, food |
| Limitations | Potential environmental impact, scalability, potential toxicity, need for further research |
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What You'll Learn
Pestalotiopsis microspora can degrade plastic in landfills
Plastic is a significant contributor to global pollution, with 8.3 billion tons of plastic produced since the 1950s still existing in various forms today. Landfills are a particular concern, receiving about 27 million tons of plastic annually in the United States alone.
Pestalotiopsis microspora, a rare mushroom discovered in Ecuador's Amazon rainforest, has been found to effectively degrade certain types of plastic. This fungus can break down a common polymer plastic called polyester polyurethane, along with other members of the Pestalotiopsis genus. Pestalotiopsis microspora can utilize plastic as its primary carbon source, converting it into organic matter. Notably, it can degrade plastic in both liquid and soil suspensions, even in dark, oxygen-deprived environments, making it a potential solution for waste treatment and landfills.
The ability of Pestalotiopsis microspora to survive and degrade plastic in anaerobic conditions is significant for addressing plastic pollution in landfills. These environments are often oxygen-free, and certain plastics, such as polyurethane, can accumulate and persist for extended periods. By deploying this fungus, we can harness its plastic-degrading capabilities to reduce the volume of plastic waste in landfills.
Additionally, Pestalotiopsis microspora can enhance plastic degradation through genetic modification of its enzymes. This approach can further improve the efficiency of breaking down plastics like polyurethane and polyethylene terephthalate (PET).
The discovery of Pestalotiopsis microspora's plastic-degrading abilities has sparked interest in exploring other fungi for potential solutions to the plastic pollution crisis. Researchers have found that various other fungi species, such as Aspergillus tubingensis and oyster mushrooms, also possess the capacity to break down different types of plastics. These findings present promising avenues for developing innovative recycling technologies and natural degradation methods to combat the pervasive issue of plastic pollution.
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Aspergillus tubingensis breaks down polyurethane
The world is grappling with plastic pollution, and one of the most commonly used plastics, polyurethane, is non-biodegradable. This has resulted in vast environmental pollution and health hazards. However, there is hope in the form of a fungus called Aspergillus tubingensis, which can break down polyurethane through a process called mycoremediation.
Aspergillus tubingensis is a fungus usually found in the soil. In 2017, scientist Sehroon Khan of the Kunming Institute of Botany discovered it growing on polyurethane in a garbage dump in Islamabad, Pakistan. This novel PU-degrading fungus was isolated from the soil and identified based on colony morphology, macro- and micro-morphology, molecular and phylogenetic analyses.
The ability of Aspergillus tubingensis to degrade polyurethane was tested in three different ways: on an SDA agar plate, in liquid MSM, and after burial in soil. The results showed that this fungus could break down polyurethane within a couple of weeks. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) visually confirmed that the mycelium of Aspergillus tubingensis colonized the PU material, causing surface degradation and scarring. The formation or breakage of chemical bonds during the biodegradation process was also confirmed using Attenuated Total Reflectance Fourier Transform Infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy.
The discovery of Aspergillus tubingensis's ability to break down polyurethane provides valuable insight into solving the dilemma of PU waste through biodegradation. This process can potentially be optimized to develop a viable solution for recycling and reducing the environmental impact of polyurethane products.
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Oyster mushrooms can break down non-recyclable plastic
Plastic is one of the biggest waste issues of our time. The vast majority of it is not adequately recycled, often ending up in oceans, rivers, and landfills. Oyster mushrooms, however, can break down non-recyclable plastic.
In 2021, British fashion designer Stella McCartney debuted a black 'leather' bustier top and trousers made with mycelium, a material derived from mushrooms. Big brands like Adidas, Lululemon, and Hermés have also announced clothing lines made from mycelium, a more eco-friendly leather alternative than 'pleather', which is derived from plastic.
The oyster mushroom is a common edible mushroom capable of decomposing plastic while remaining edible. This makes it a potential at-home recycling system. Austrian researcher Katharina Unger created a prototype of an at-home oyster mushroom recycling system called the "Fungi Mutarium." In the Fungi Mutarium, pieces of plastic are placed in capsules containing the oyster mushroom. The fungi then grow on the capsule, where it can be harvested for consumption.
Oyster mushrooms can break down items containing non-recyclable plastic. A trial conducted by Fungi Solutions in Melbourne found that they are capable of breaking down most toxins and the microplastics in cigarette butts—one of the top items of plastic waste found in the ocean—within seven days.
The Pestalotiopsis genus of fungi is also capable of degrading certain forms of plastic, making it a viable solution to eliminate some plastics from landfills. In 2011, Yale University students discovered Pestalotiopsis microspora in the Amazon rainforest in Ecuador, a rare mushroom that can degrade polyester polyurethane and use plastic as its main source of carbon, converting it into organic matter. This fungus can even function in both liquid and soil suspensions in dark, oxygen-deprived environments, making it ideal for landfills and waste treatment.
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Plastic-eating mushrooms can be used for at-home recycling
Plastic is one of the biggest waste issues of our time, with an estimated 109 million tonnes of plastic pollution in the world's rivers and 30 million tonnes in the oceans. It is therefore important to develop new recycling methods that have minimal environmental impact.
Certain types of mushrooms have the ability to consume polyurethane, one of the main ingredients in plastic products. The Pestalotiopsis genus of fungi, for example, is capable of degrading certain forms of plastic. A rare mushroom within this genus, Pestalotiopsis microspora, was discovered by Yale University students on a research trip to Ecuador's Amazon rainforest in 2011. This fungus can grow on polyurethane, using it as its sole carbon source, and can survive in oxygen-starved environments like landfills.
Other mushrooms that can degrade plastic include Aspergillus tubingensis, discovered in a city garbage dump in Islamabad, Pakistan, and Aspergillus terreus and Engyodontium album, typically found in plants and soil. The common edible oyster mushroom is another example of a fungus that can decompose plastic while remaining edible.
Austrian researcher Katharina Unger has created a prototype of an at-home oyster mushroom recycling system called the Fungi Mutarium. In this system, pieces of plastic are placed in capsules containing the oyster mushroom, which then grows on the capsule and can be harvested for consumption. Scientists foresee households owning smaller-scale versions of such systems to recycle their plastic waste.
However, it is important to note that the use of mushrooms for plastic degradation is still in the early stages of development and may not be widely implemented due to potential unintended consequences for ecosystems. Nevertheless, mushrooms show promising potential as a solution to plastic decomposition and can play a role in at-home recycling systems in the future.
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Fungi can break down polypropylene, a hard-to-recycle plastic
Plastic is a significant contributor to global waste, with an estimated 109 million tonnes of plastic waste in the world's rivers and 30 million tonnes in the oceans. Polypropylene, a common plastic used in a wide variety of products, from packaging to textiles, is particularly difficult to recycle, with only 1% of it being recycled. However, researchers at the University of Sydney have discovered that certain strains of fungi can successfully biodegrade polypropylene.
The two strains of fungi, Aspergillus terreus and Engyodontium album, were able to break down polypropylene after it had been pre-treated with UV light, heat, or an acidic solution. Over 30 days of incubation, the plastic was reduced by 21%, and after 90 days, it was reduced by 25-27%optimising the conditions could further reduce the degradation time.
This discovery could have a significant impact on reducing plastic pollution, as polypropylene accounts for approximately 28% of global plastic waste. The researchers plan to explore ways to enhance the efficiency of degrading polypropylene and develop a small-scale prototype for commercialisation.
While the exact mechanism of how the fungi digest the plastic is not yet fully understood, it is believed that fungi break down the plastic into simpler molecules that they can then absorb or excrete. This process, known as biodegradation, is considered the most effective way to degrade plastic due to its eco-friendly nature and cost-effectiveness.
Fungi have also been found to break down other types of plastics, such as polyurethane, and even non-recyclable plastics like those found in cigarette butts. The versatility and ability of fungi to degrade synthetic substrates with their powerful enzymes make them a promising solution to the global plastic waste crisis.
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Frequently asked questions
Pestalotiopsis microspora, a rare mushroom found in the Amazon rainforest in Ecuador, can decompose plastic. Other mushrooms include Aspergillus tubingensis, oyster mushrooms, and the common edible oyster mushroom.
Mushrooms use mycelia and enzymes to break the bonds between molecules in plastic, breaking them into smaller pieces.
Mushrooms have been found to decompose polyurethane, a common polymer in plastic products, and polypropylene, a hard-to-recycle plastic.
Yes, the Fungi Mutarium is a prototype for an at-home oyster mushroom recycling system. However, it takes a few months for the mushrooms to fully digest the plastic.
Mushrooms can help reduce plastic waste and pollution, especially in landfills. They can also be used to create new products, such as building materials and clothing.
