Microplastics Biodegradation by Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus versicolor

Abstract

Microplastics (MPs) have indeed raised significant concerns due to their widespread presence and potential adverse effects on both the environment and human health. This study aims to illuminate crucial aspects of MPs, including their origins, migration behavior, and the potential for bioremediation as an effective strategy for their removal. Microplastics can originate from various sources, such as the fragmentation of larger plastics, the presence of microbeads in personal care products, the shedding of fibers from textiles, industrial pellets, and products containing microplastics. These diverse sources contribute to the omnipresence of microplastics in both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. This study focuses on observing the biological degradation process of two fungi, Aspergillus flavus, and Aspergillus versicolor when exposed to three different types of microplastics: Polypropylene (PP), Polyethylene (PE), and Polystyrene (PS). After conducting experiments, removal efficiencies of A. flavus and A. versicolor were calculated. Based on the data collected during the 10th week of using these fungi, it was observed that A. flavus exhibited removal efficiencies of 18.3% for PE, 6.8% for PP, and 1.9% for PS. On the other hand, A. versicolor yielded removal efficiencies of 6.7% for PE, 5.1% for PP, and 3.3% for PS. It was determined that A. flavus and A. versicolor exhibited the highest biodegradation efficiency when targeting microplastic PE, while their effectiveness was relatively lower when dealing with microplastic PS.