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Article: Tapping into fungal potential: Biodegradation of plastic and…
Article: Tapping into fungal potential: Biodegradation of plastic and rubber by potent Fungi
Environmental Problem
Plastics persist for decades or centuries
Accumulate in landfills and ecosystems
Plastic and Rubber Pollution
Traditional recycling is limited
Fungal Species Investigated
Penicillium
Trichoderma
Fusarium
Botryotinia cinera
Biological Solution
Fungi as Biodegraders
Fungi produce powerful extracellular enzymes
Mycelium can grow directly on plastic surfaces
Capable of breaking down complex polymers
Plastics and Materials Studied
polyethylene
Tire rubber
Polyurethane
Methods Used to Detect Degradation
Metabolic measurements
Oxygen consumption
CO2 production
Material analysis
FTIR spectroscopy
Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM)
Evidence of Plastic Breakdown
Increased CO2 production
Structural damage to plastic surfaces
Increased oxygen consumption
Chemical changes in polymers
Key Findings
Polyurethane showed the strongest degradation
Structural damage to plastic surfaces
Several fungal strains successfully degraded plastics
Chemical changes in polymers