Isolation and MALDI-TOF MS‑based identification of new bacterial isolates from greenhouse and mulch film fields in Izmir (Turkiye) for LDPE biodegradation.
Yavasoglu A, Cinarli H, Aras T, Zor Alpugan Z
Plastic Biodegradation
Plastic mulch films blanketing vegetable fields near you shed microplastics into soil for decades, but bacteria already living in those soils can digest a quarter of that plastic in a single month — a natural cleanup crew hiding in plain sight.
Plastic sheeting used to cover garden beds and greenhouse floors builds up in the soil over years and doesn't go away on its own. Scientists in Turkey collected dirt from fields that had been covered with this plastic for up to 30 years and found bacteria that had evolved to eat it. In lab tests, one type of bacteria broke down more than a quarter of a plastic sample's weight in just one month, raising hopes for natural ways to clean up contaminated farmland.
Key Findings
Eight novel bacterial strains capable of breaking down LDPE plastic were isolated from agricultural soils exposed to plastic films for 10–30 years.
Acinetobacter pittii HAT01 achieved the highest plastic film weight reduction of 25.39% in 30 days and also forms biofilms that help it adhere to and degrade plastic surfaces.
Weight loss across all eight isolates ranged from 7.08% to 25.39%, with structural changes in the plastic confirmed by infrared spectroscopy and electron microscopy.
chevron_right Technical Summary
Researchers in Turkey discovered soil bacteria capable of breaking down the plastic film used in greenhouses and mulch agriculture, with the top-performing strain degrading over 25% of plastic film weight within 30 days — offering a potential biological tool to address a persistent agricultural pollution problem.
Abstract Preview
Low density polyethylene (LDPE) plastic films, which are widely used in greenhouses and mulch areas in the agricultural sector, can remain in the environment for a long time due to their resistance...
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