Sofia Martinez
Fungi are increasingly being used to tackle plastic waste, with 436 species of fungi and bacteria found to degrade plastic. However, it is important to note that not all fungi can grow on plastic. This is because fungi have a saprophytic type of nutrition, meaning they require an external source of food for energy. Since plastic does not contain any nutrients required for fungal growth, it is not a suitable environment for fungi to thrive in. Additionally, the degradation of plastic by fungi depends on the type of plastic and the presence of certain conditions, such as humidity. While some fungi have been found to break down plastic, the process is slow and not yet fully understood.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Fungi growth | Depends on the availability of suitable conditions and moisture |
| Fungi nutrition | Saprophytic type of nutrition, i.e., they require an external source of food for energy |
| Plasticizers | Plastics contain plasticizers, which are esters of fatty acids and can be eaten by microorganisms |
| Plastic degradation | The degradation efficiency depends on the type of plastic |
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What You'll Learn
Fungi require external food sources, which plastic does not provide
Fungi have a saprophytic type of nutrition, which means they cannot produce their own food. They require an external food source to gain energy for their growth. As plastic does not provide any food for fungi, it is not a suitable environment for their growth.
Fungi play a key role in breaking down organic matter and moving it through the carbon cycle. Over millions of years, they have evolved to break down complex and naturally occurring polymers, such as cellulose. They feed on dead plant and animal remains and draw their nutrients from these sources.
Some types of fungi, such as plant-pathogenic fungi, obtain nutrients from plants in a way that harms the host. These fungi have been found to be more effective at degrading certain types of plastics, such as PCL plastics and other synthetic polymers, than saprotrophic fungi.
While most plastic is not a suitable food source for fungi, there are some exceptions. Certain strains of fungi, such as Aspergillus tubingensis, have been found to break down plastic. Additionally, some fungi may feed on plastics because most plasticizers are esters of fatty acids, which can be consumed by microorganisms. However, the degradation efficiency depends on the type of plastic.
Recent studies have also shown that some fungi may be able to degrade certain "forever chemicals" like PFAS, although the process is slow and not yet fully understood. The ability of fungi to break down plastics offers exciting possibilities for tackling global plastic waste. Researchers are exploring ways to enhance the efficiency of this process to develop innovative recycling technologies.
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Some fungi can break down certain plastics
Fungi are incredibly versatile and can break down almost all substrates. This is due to their production of powerful enzymes, which are excreted and used to break down substrates into simpler molecules that the fungal cells can then absorb. For example, in a laboratory experiment, researchers at the University of Sydney used two common strains of fungi, Aspergillus terreus and Engyodontium album, to successfully biodegrade polypropylene, a hard-to-recycle plastic. After pre-treating the plastic with either UV light or heat, the fungi were able to reduce the plastic by 21% over 30 days of incubation and by 25-27% over 90 days.
Fungi can also break down plastics through the secretion of degrading enzymes such as cutinase, lipase, proteases, and lignocellulolytic enzymes. Additionally, the presence of pro-oxidant ions can enhance the degradation process. The oxidation or hydrolysis by the enzymes creates functional groups that improve the hydrophilicity of polymers, leading to the degradation of high molecular weight polymers into low molecular weight polymers.
The ability of fungi to break down plastics has significant implications for tackling plastic waste. For instance, Biohm is working to develop a strain of fungus that can efficiently digest plastic and potentially help eliminate plastic waste. Scientists also foresee the development of household-scale systems that use fungi to recycle plastic waste. By harnessing the power of fungi, we may be able to address the vast amount of plastic polluting the environment and move towards more sustainable waste management practices.
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Plasticizers in plastics can be eaten by microorganisms
Fungi have been found to grow on all sorts of man-made materials like carpets, painted furniture, tile grout, shower curtains, upholstery, and even car headlights. Recent studies suggest some fungi may even degrade some of the ‘forever chemicals’ like PFAS, but the process is slow and not yet well understood. There is also evidence that the amount of plastic accumulated in the ocean is less than what might be expected based on production and disposal levels, and there is speculation that some of this ‘missing’ plastic may have been degraded by marine fungi.
In 2011, Yale University students discovered the first fungus that not only has an appetite for plastic but can thrive in oxygen-starved environments like landfills. The fungus, called Pestalotiopsis, was found in the rainforests of Ecuador. Similarly, researchers at the University of Sydney found that two common strains of fungi, Aspergillus terreus and Engyodontium album, were able to break down polypropylene after it had been pre-treated with either UV light or heat, reducing the plastic by 21% over 30 days of incubation, and by 25-27% over 90 days.
In addition to fungi, bacteria have also been found to "eat" plastic. In 2016, Japanese scientists discovered a species of bacteria called Ideonella sakaiensis that had developed a taste for a certain type of plastic called polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Since then, many genetic scientists have experimented with Ideonella sakaiensis to improve its efficiency in breaking down plastic. For example, researchers at the University of Portsmouth have re-engineered PETase to create an enzyme "cocktail" that can digest plastic up to six times faster than normal.
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Plastic degradation by fungi is an area of ongoing research
Fungi produce salient enzymes that can break down plastics. Some of these enzymes include cutinase, lipase, proteases, carboxylesterases, esterases, lignocellulolytic enzymes. The oxidation or hydrolysis by the enzyme creates functional groups that improve the hydrophilicity of polymers, and consequently, the high molecular weight polymer is degraded into low molecular weight.
Several species of fungi have been identified as effective degraders of plastics. These include Aspergillus nidulans, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus glaucus, Aspergillus oryzae, Aspergillus nomius, Penicillium griseofulvum, Bjerkandera adusta, Phanerochaete chrysosporium, and Cladosporium cladosporioides, among others. Some strains of fungi, such as Fusarium, Penicillium, and Trichoderma, have also been found to have a high potential to degrade polyurethane, rubber, and polyethylene.
Recent studies have also explored the use of fungi to degrade hard-to-recycle plastics, such as polypropylene. Researchers at the University of Sydney successfully used two common strains of fungi, Aspergillus terreus and Engyodontium album, to biodegrade polypropylene in a laboratory experiment. After pre-treating the plastic with UV light or heat, the fungi were able to reduce the plastic by 21% over 30 days and by 25-27% over 90 days.
The ability of fungi to degrade plastics has significant implications for addressing plastic pollution, which is one of the biggest waste issues of our time. By understanding and harnessing the power of fungi, researchers hope to develop innovative recycling technologies that can help reduce the vast amount of plastic polluting the environment.
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Plastic-eating fungi could help tackle global waste
Plastic is a modern-day scourge, choking landfills, killing marine life, and swirling in massive garbage gyres in our oceans. While plastic has revolutionized our world, its very longevity is now our biggest challenge. However, an unlikely hero has emerged in the form of plastic-eating fungi, which could offer exciting possibilities for tackling global waste.
Fungi have been on Earth for over a billion years, and they possess an incredible versatility, able to break down almost all substrates. This is due to their production of powerful enzymes, which they use to break down complex molecules into simpler ones that they can then absorb. This ability has led to the discovery of fungi growing on man-made materials like carpets, furniture, and even car headlights.
Recent studies have suggested that certain fungi may even be able to degrade some "forever chemicals" like PFAS. Additionally, there is speculation that some of the plastic that has gone missing from our oceans may have been degraded by marine fungi. In 2011, Yale University students discovered Pestalotiopsis, the first fungus that could eat plastic and thrive in oxygen-starved environments like landfills.
Scientists have also studied the microbiome of the Dafeng coastal salt marshes in Jiangsu, China, and identified over 200 plastic-degrading fungi and bacteria. The potential of microorganisms to tackle plastic waste was recognized in a 2017 study that found a strain of the fungus Aspergillus tubingensis breaking down plastic in a landfill in Islamabad, Pakistan. To date, 436 species of fungi and bacteria have been found to degrade plastic.
Fungi, such as Aspergillus terreus and Engyodontium album, have been used in laboratory experiments to successfully biodegrade polypropylene, a common plastic that accounts for 28% of the world's plastic waste but only 1% of recycled plastic. These fungi were able to break down the plastic by 25-27% over 90 days. Researchers hope that their methods can be further optimized to reduce the vast amount of plastic polluting the environment and improve recycling technologies.
The vast potential of plastic-eating fungi offers a glimmer of hope in the fight against global plastic waste. With further research and development, these microorganisms could be key to creating a more sustainable future.
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Frequently asked questions
Fungi have a saprophytic type of nutrition, meaning they require an external source of food to get energy. Plastic does not have the necessary nutrients for fungal growth. However, it should be noted that some fungi can feed on certain types of plastics.
Some common types of plastic that fungi can feed on include polyethylene (PE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and polyurethane (PU).
Yes, plastic-degrading fungi have been found in nature. For example, in 2011, Yale University students discovered Pestalotiopsis, a fungus in the rainforests of Ecuador that can break down plastic.
Scientists are studying the enzymatic potential of plastic-degrading fungi for biotechnological applications in plastic waste bioremediation. For example, the Fungi Mutarium project uses UV-treated plastic that is fed to fungi to be digested.
Fungi have been used in various applications beyond plastic degradation, such as in fashion, with brands like Adidas, Lululemon, and Hermés creating clothing lines made from mycelium, a leather alternative. Fungi have also been explored as alternative building materials and meat substitutes.
