In the June issue of the international scientific journal Environmental Pollution, was published , the authors of which shared their research into the study of mold, which contributes to the decomposition of plastic in landfills.
The study titled "Biodegradation of polyurethane by Aspergillus tubingensis" was conducted by scientists from the international research center World Agroforestry Center (based in Kenya) and the Kunming Botanical Institute (part of the Chinese Academy of Sciences). In search of methods already existing in nature that will help humanity solve the problem with plastic, the authors took several samples from a garbage dump in Islamabad (Pakistan), where they found Aspergillus tubingensis.
The mold Aspergillus tubingensis is common in soil (and a common cause of fruit and wheat spoilage), and in the lab, scientists have also found that these organisms grow on plastic surfaces. The fact is that they release enzymes on the surface of the plastic, which destroy the chemical bonds between the plastic molecules (polymers). In addition, the microscopy and spectroscopy used by scientists made it possible to find out that the physical strength of the mycelium (mycelium) of these mold fungi also contributes to the breakdown of polymers. The result of the study is that Aspergillus tubingensis can speed up the process of plastic decomposition up to weeks.
The general scheme presented by the researchers for using fungi to decompose plastic is as follows:
The next goal set by scientists studying the behavior of Aspergillus tubingensis on a plastic surface is to determine the optimal conditions for the growth of mold fungi and the degradation of plastic. Among the known factors influencing these processes are the hydrogen index (pH), temperature, nutrient medium. A further possible step is the large-scale use of mold fungi in wastewater treatment plants or in soils that already contain plastic debris.
See also anekdotig:
- Newsletter: " Washing Synthetic Clothes Litters Seas with Small Plastic Fibers " (September 29, 2016)
- News: " France bans single-use plastic tableware by 2020 " (September 7, 2016)
- News: " Single use of plastic bags in England fell by 85% after the introduction of the tax " (August 2, 2016)
- News: " U.S. to ban products with plastic microbeads in 2017-2018 " (January 6, 2016)
- News: " UN: 'Biodegradable' plastic decomposes poorly and harms the oceans " (November 25, 2015)
- Article: " Proper Waste Management ".
- Article: " Ocean garbage islands - a new heritage of civilization ."
- Video: " Plastic bottles and ocean pollution ".
- Advice: " Write to product manufacturers to stop plastic packaging " (July 27, 2015)