Degradation Of Plastics Research Articles

In situ real-time pathway to study the polyethylene long-term degradation process by a marine fungus through confocal Raman quantitative imaging

Since plastic waste has become a worldwide pollution problem, studying the ability of marine microorganisms to degrade plastic waste is important. However, conventional methods are unable to in situ real-time study the ability of microorganisms to biodegrade plastics. In recent years, Raman spectroscopy has been widely used in the characterization of plastics as well as in the study of biological metabolism due to its low cost, rapidity, label-free, non-destructive, and water-independent features, which provides us with new ideas to address the above limitations. Here, we have established a method to study the degradation ability of microorganisms on plastics using confocal Raman imaging. Alternaria alternata FB1, a recently reported polyethylene (PE) degrading marine fungus, is used as a model to perform a long-term (up to 274 days) in situ real-time nondestructive inspection of its degradation process. We can prove the degradation of PE plastics from the following two aspects, visualization and analysis of the degradation process based on depth imaging and quantification of the degradation rate by crystallinity calculations. The findings also reveal unprecedented degradation details. The method is important for realizing high-throughput screening of microorganisms with potential to degrade plastics and studying the degradation process of plastics in the future.

Biodegradation of polypropylene plastics in vitro and natural condition by Streptomyces sp. isolated from plastic-contaminated sites

Most plastic degradation studies are conducted under controlled laboratory conditions. The current study investigated the ability to degrade Polypropylene (PP) plastic by Streptomyces ardesiacus strain NBI0111 under both laboratory and natural conditions. This strain exhibited the ability to degrade PP when cultured in BH medium and using PP plastics as carbon sources. After a 90-day incubation period, the weight loss of PP plastics reached 17.52 % (p < 0.05). The surface of the PP plastic showed significant changes compared to the control group. Chemical changes in the plastic were also detected on the 60th and 90th days, as confirmed by FTIR and GC-MS analyses. This strain was applied to degrade PP plastic in soils under natural conditions. Strain NBI0111 also resulted in a notable weight loss. The biodegradation test group exhibited a significant 12.5 % decrease compared to only a 3.88 % decrease in the control group (p < 0.05). Furthermore, a strong positive correlation between the weight loss of PP plastic cups and the density of microbial populations was observed. The capabilities demonstrated by Streptomyces ardesiacus strain NBI0111 in this study hold great promise for on-site plastic remediation, offering a sustainable solution to the problem of plastic pollution in the future.

Hazard assessment of nanoplastics is driven by their surface-functionalization. Effects in human-derived primary endothelial cells

During plastic waste degradation into micro/nanoplastics (MNPLs) their physicochemical characteristics including surface properties (charge, functionalization, biocorona, etc.) can change, potentially affecting their biological effects. This paper focuses on the surface functionalization of MNPLs to determine if it has a direct impact on the toxicokinetic and toxicodynamic interactions in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), at different exposure times. Pristine polystyrene nanoplastics (PS-NPLs), as well as their carboxylated (PS-C-NPLs) and aminated (PS-A-NPLs) forms, all around 50 nm, were used in a wide battery of toxicological assays. These assays encompassed evaluations on cell viability, cell internalization, induction of intracellular reactive oxygen species (iROS), and genotoxicity. The experiments were conducted at a concentration of 100 μg/mL, chosen to ensure a high internalization rate across all treatments while maintaining a sub-toxic concentration. Our results show that all PS-NPLs are internalized by HUVECs, but the internalization dynamic depends on the particle's functionalization. PS-NPLs and PS-C-NPLs internalization modify the morphology of the cell increasing its inner complexity/granularity. Regarding cell toxicity, only PS-A-NPLs reduced cell viability. Intracellular ROS was induced by the three different PS-NPLs but at different time points. Genotoxic damage was induced by the three PS-NPLs at short exposures (2 h), but not for PS-C-NPLs at 24 h. Overall, this study suggests that the toxicological effects of PSNPLs on HUVEC cells are surface-dependent, highlighting the relevance of using human-derived primary cells as a target.

Uncoupled: investigating the lack of correlation between the transcription of putative plastic-degrading genes in the global ocean microbiome and marine plastic pollution

BackgroundPlastic pollution is a severe threat to marine ecosystems. While some microbial enzymes can degrade certain plastics, the ability of the global ocean microbiome to break down diverse environmental plastics remains limited. We employed metatranscriptomic data from an international ocean survey to explore global and regional patterns in microbial plastic degradation potential.ResultsOn a global oceanic scale, we found no significant correlation between levels of plastic pollution and the expression of genes encoding enzymes putatively identified as capable of plastic degradation. Even when looking at different regional scales, ocean depth layers, or plastic types, we found no strong or even moderate correlation between plastic pollution and relative abundances of transcripts for enzymes with presumed plastic biodegradation potential. Our data, however, indicate that microorganisms in the Southern Ocean show a higher potential for plastic degradation, making them more appealing candidates for bioprospecting novel plastic-degrading enzymes.ConclusionOur research contributes to understanding the complex global relationship between plastic pollution and microbial plastic degradation potential. We reveal that the transcription of putative plastic-degrading genes in the global ocean microbiome does not correlate to marine plastic pollution, highlighting the ongoing danger that plastic poses to marine environments threatened by plastic pollution.

Phylum-level studies of bacterial cutinases for unravelling enzymatic specificity toward PET degradation: an in silico approach.

The overwhelming use of PET plastic in various day-to-day activities led to the voluminous increase in PET waste and growing environmental hazards. A plethora of methods have been used that are associated with secondary pollutants. Therefore, microbial degradation of PET provides a sustainable approach due to its versatile metabolic diversity and capacity. The present work highlights the cutinase enzyme's role in PET degradation. This study focuses on the bacterial cutinases homologs screened from 43 reported phylum of bacteria. The reported bacterial cutinases for plastic degradation have been chosen as reference sequences, and 917 sequences have shown homology across the bacterial phyla. The dienelactone hydrolase (DLH) domain was identified for attaining specificity towards PET binding in 196 of 917 sequences. Various computational tools have been used for the physicochemical characterization of 196 sequences. The analysis revealed that most selected sequences are hydrophilic, extracellular, and thermally stable. Based on this analysis, 17 sequences have been further pursued for three-dimensional structure prediction and validation. The molecular docking studies of 17 selected sequences revealed efficient PET binding with the three sequences derived from the phylum Bacteroidota, the lowest binding energy of -5.9kcal/mol, Armatimonadota, and Nitrososphaerota with -5.8kcal/mol. The two enzyme sequences retrieved from the phylum Bacteroidota and Armatimonadota are metagenomically derived. Therefore, the present studies concluded that there is a high probability of finding cutinase homologs in various environmental resources that can be further explored for PET degradation.

Investigation of Fungal Community Structure in the Gut of the Stag Beetle Dorcus hopei (Coleoptera; Lucanidae): Comparisons Among Developmental Stages

Stag beetles, recognized as common saproxylic insects, are valued for their vibrant coloration and distinctive morphology. These beetles play a crucial ecological role in decomposition and nutrient cycling, serving as a vital functional component in ecosystem functioning. Although previous studies have confirmed that stag beetles are predominantly fungivores, the fluctuations in their intestinal fungal communities at different developmental stages remain poorly understood. In the current study, high-throughput sequencing was employed to investigate the dynamic changes within intestinal fungal communities at various developmental stages in the stag beetle Dorcus hopei. Results showed that microbial diversity was higher during the larval stage than during the pupal and adult stages. Furthermore, significant differences were identified in the composition of the intestinal fungal communities across the larval, pupal, and adult stages, suggesting that developmental transitions may be crucial factors contributing to variations in fungal community composition and diversity. Dominant genera included Candida, Scheffersomyces, Phaeoacremonium, and Trichosporon. Functional predictions indicated a greater diversity and relative abundance of endosymbiotic fungi in the larval gut, suggesting a potential dependency of larvae on beneficial gut fungi for nutrient acquisition. Additionally, the application of abundance-based β-null deviation and niche width analyses revealed that the adult gut exerted a stronger selection pressure on its fungal community, favoring certain taxa. This selection process culminates in a more robust co-occurrence network of fungal communities within the adult gut, thereby enhancing their adaptability to environmental fluctuations. This study advances our understanding of the intestinal fungal community structure in stag beetles, providing a crucial theoretical foundation for the development of saproxylic beetle resources, biomass energy utilization, plastic degradation strategies, and beetle conservation efforts.

Effects of Gamma Irradiation on Polyethylene Terephthalate and Detection of Microplastic Particles Down to 1 μm.

In response to increasing concern about the impact of plastic degradation on the environment, this study investigates the degradation of virgin and recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET) under γ-irradiation in aqueous solutions, with particular focus on the resulting formation of microplastic particles (MP). By exposing both virgin and recycled PET samples to different doses of γ-irradiation (10, 50, and 100 kGy), a comprehensive analysis using UV-vis spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering (DLS) and micro-Raman spectroscopy is presented. The results, highlighted by micro-Raman spectroscopy, show that γ-irradiation produces micrometer-sized plastic particles, with the recycled PET having a significantly higher MP content than its original counterpart. Careful examination reveals the presence of a stabilizer in samples of recycled PET juice bottles. This study not only contributes to our understanding of the effects of γ-irradiation on PET but also highlights the need for further research into the environmental impact of such processes. The insights gained shed light on the behavior of PET under γ-irradiation and the resulting impact on microplastic pollution and make an important contribution to our understanding of the broader environmental context.

¿Lo que no se ve no hace daño? Micro y nanoplásticos otra herencia para el futuro

Abstract. Plastic is one of the most important pollutants human produces. Degradation of plastic is giving rise to microplastics, waste that threatens several species, including ours. According to the United Nations (UN), more than 430 million tons of this material are generated every year. In addition to affecting the Earth&amp;#39;s ecosystems, also has repercussions on human health. staining Key words: microplastics, nanoplastics, waste, ecosystem, extinction

The fate of plastic wraps in constructed wetland: Surface structure and microbial community

The high use of plastic wraps leads to significant environmental pollution. In this study, the surface structure and microbial community evolution of commercially available plastic wraps [polyethylene (PE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC), and polylactic acid (PLA)] in constructed wetlands (CWs) were investigated. The results indicated that all plastic wraps gradually decreased in molecular weight, crystallinity, melting, and crystallization temperatures, whereas a gradual increase was observed in the surface roughness, polymer dispersity index (PDI), carbonyl index (CI) and Shannon index of microorganisms colonizing the CWs. The aging rate of the plastic wrap was in the order: PLA > PVC > PE > PVDC, at the same site in the CWs, and it was in the order: soil surface > plant roots > subsoil, for the same plastic wrap. The diversity of microorganisms colonizing the same plastic wrap was in the order: plant roots > subsoil > soil surface. The Shannon indices of microorganisms on plastic wraps were lower than those in the soil, indicating that the diversity of microorganisms colonizing plastic wraps is limited. Additionally, the microbial community structure on the plastic surface was co-differentiated by the plastic type, placement position in the CWs, and aging time. Significantly different microbial community structures were found on the PVC and PVDC wrap surfaces, revealing that the chlorine in plastics limits microbial diversity. Unclassified members of Rhizobiaceae and Pseudomonadaceae were the dominant genera on the surface of the plastic wraps, suggesting that they may be the microorganisms involved in plastic degradation processes. The study provides valuable perspectives to facilitate a comprehensive understanding of the migration, fate, and environmental risks associated with microplastics (MPs) in wetlands.

Molecular Detection and Phylogenetic Analysis of the alkB Gene in Klebsiella oxytoca Strains Isolated from the Gut of Tenebrio molitor.

The challenge in polystyrene disposal has caused researchers to look for urgent innovative and ecofriendly solutions for plastic degradation. Some insects have been reported to use polystyrene as their sole carbon source, and this has been linked to the presence of microbes in their guts that aid in plastic digestion. Thus, this study focuses on the molecular detection and phylogenetic analysis of the alkane-1-monooxygenase (alkB) gene in Klebsiella oxytoca strains isolated from the gut of Tenebrio molitor. The alkB gene encodes for alkane-1-monooxygenase, an enzyme involved in the oxidation of inactivated alkanes. This gene can be used as a marker to assess bacteria's ability to biodegrade polystyrene. Three bacterial strains were isolated from the guts of T. molitor mealworms and were confirmed using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of the 16S ribosomal RNA gene. The primers used in the amplification of the 16S ribosomal RNA region were designed using NCBI, a bioinformatics tool. To detect the presence of the alkB gene in the isolated bacterial strains, a set of primers used in the amplification of this gene was manually designed from the conserved regions of the alkB nucleotide sequences of eleven bacterial species from GenBank. TCOFFE online tool was used to align the alkB sequences of the bacteria, while Jalview and ConSurf were used to view the alignment. The amplified alkB gene was then sequenced using the Sanger sequencing technique, blasted on NCBI to look for similar sequences, and a phylogenetic tree was constructed. Based on the 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequences, the isolated bacterial strains were confirmed to be Klebsiella oxytoca NBRC 102593, Klebsiella oxytoca JCM 1665, and Klebsiella oxytoca ATCC 13182. The alkB gene sequence identical to fourteen alkB gene sequences derived from Actinobacteria whole genome was detected in Klebsiella oxytoca for the first time to the best of our knowledge. The novel nucleotide sequence was published in the NCBI database under accession number OP959069. This gene sequence was found to be for the enzyme alkane-1-monooxygenase and may be one of the enzymes responsible for polystyrene degradation by the putative Klebsiella oxytoca ATCC 13182 in T. molitor.

Microbial Perspectives on Polythene Biodegradation: Exploring the Role of Microorganisms in Addressing Plastic Pollution

Plastic pollution, particularly from polythene (polyethylene), has emerged as a significant environmental concern worldwide. In response to this challenge, microbial perspectives on polythene biodegradation have garnered attention as potential solutions to mitigate plastic pollution. This article provides an overview of the mechanisms underlying microbial polythene biodegradation, including surface erosion, biofilm formation, metabolic pathways, synergistic interactions, and adaptation. Furthermore, it explores the diversity of polythene-degrading microorganisms and their roles in plastic degradation across different environments. Environmental factors influencing polythene biodegradation, such as temperature, pH, moisture, and nutrient availability, are discussed, along with strategies to optimize degradation rates. Biotechnological approaches, including microbial consortia development and genetic engineering, are highlighted as promising avenues to enhance polythene degradation efficiency. The article concludes with a discussion on the potential of microbial perspectives to address plastic pollution and outlines future research directions in this field.

Insights into Plastic Degradation Processes in Marine Environment by X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy Study.

The present study employs X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) to analyze plastic samples subjected to degradation processes with the aim to gain insight on the relevant chemical processes and disclose fragmentation mechanisms. Two model plastics, namely polystyrene (PS) and polyethylene (PE), are selected and analyzed before and after artificial UV radiation-triggered weathering, under simulated environmental hydrodynamic conditions, in fresh and marine water for different time intervals. The object of the study is to identify and quantify chemical groups possibly evidencing the occurrence of hydrolysis and oxidation reactions, which are the basis of degradation processes in the environment, determining macroplastic fragmentation. Artificially weathered plastic samples are analyzed also by Raman and FT-IR spectroscopy. Changes in surface chemistry with weathering are revealed by XPS, involving the increase in chemical moieties (hydroxyl, carbonyl, and carboxyl functionalities) which can be correlated with the degradation processes responsible for macroplastic fragmentation. On the other hand, the absence of significant modifications upon plastics weathering evidenced by Raman and FT-IR spectroscopy confirms the importance of investigating plastics surface, which represents the very first part of the materials exposed to degradation agents, thus revealing the power of XPS studies for this purpose. The XPS data on experimentally weathered particles are compared with ones obtained on microplastics collected from real marine environment for investigating the occurring degradation processes.

Isolation and characterization of bio-prospecting gut strains Bacillus safensis CGK192 and Bacillus australimaris CGK221 for plastic (HDPE) degradation.

The present work reports the application of novel gut strains Bacillus safensis CGK192 (Accession No. OM658336) and Bacillus australimaris CGK221 (Accession No. OM658338) in the biological degradation of synthetic polymer i.e., high-density polyethylene (HDPE). The biodegradation assay based on polymer weight loss was conducted under laboratory conditions for a period of 90days along with regular evaluation of bacterial biomass in terms of total protein content and viable cells (CFU/cm2). Notably, both strains achieved significant weight reduction for HDPE films without any physical or chemical pretreatment in comparison to control. Hydrophobicity and biosurfactant characterization were also done in order to assess strains ability to form bacterial biofilm over the polymer surface. The post-degradation characterization of HDPE was also performed to confirm degradation using analytical techniques such as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Field emission scanning electronic microscopy (FE-SEM) coupled with energy dispersive X-ray (EDX), and Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Interestingly strain CGK221 was found to be more efficient in forming biofilm over polymer surface as indicated by lower half-life (i.e., 0.00032day-1) and higher carbonyl index in comparison to strain CGK192. The findings reflect the ability of our strains to develop biofilm and introduce an oxygenic functional group into the polymer surface, thereby making it more susceptible to degradation.

Emerging Challenges and Future Directions in Insect-Mediated Plastic Degradation

Emerging Challenges and Future Directions in Insect-Mediated Plastic Degradation

A screening method for plastic-degrading fungi

The growing amount of plastic waste requires new ways of disposal or recycling. Research into the biodegradation of recalcitrant plastic polymers is gathering pace. Despite some progress, these efforts have not yet led to technologically and economically viable applications. In this study, we show that respirometric screening of environmental fungal isolates in combination with scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and Raman spectroscopy can be used to identify new strains with the potential for the degradation of plastic polymers. We screened 146 fungal strains, 71 isolated from car repair shops, an environment rich in long-chain hydrocarbons, and 75 isolated from hypersaline water capable of growing at high concentrations of NaCl. When grown in a minimal medium with no carbon source, some strains produced significantly more CO2 when a pure plastic polymer was added to the medium, some only at high salinity. A selection of these strains was shown by FTIR and Raman spectroscopy to alter the properties of plastic polymers: Cladosporium sp. EXF-13502 on polyamide, Rhodotorula dairenensis EXF-13500 on polypropylene, Rhodotorula sp. EXF-10630 on low-density polyethylene and Wickerhamomyces anomalus EXF-6848 on polyethylene terephthalate. Respirometry in combination with specific spectroscopic methods is an efficient method for screening microorganisms capable of at least partial plastic degradation and can be used to expand the repertoire of potential plastic degraders. This is of particular importance as our results also show that individual strains are only active against certain polymers and under certain conditions. Therefore, efficient biodegradation of plastics is likely to depend on a collection of specialized microorganisms rather than a single universal plastic degrader.

Novel polyurethane-degrading cutinase BaCut1 from Blastobotrys sp. G-9 with potential role in plastic bio-recycling

Environmental pollution caused by plastic waste has become global problem that needs to be considered urgently. In the pursuit of a circular plastic economy, biodegradation provides an attractive strategy for managing plastic wastes, whereas effective plastic-degrading microbes and enzymes are required. In this study, we report that Blastobotrys sp. G-9 isolated from discarded plastic in landfills is capable of depolymerizing polyurethanes (PU) and poly (butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT). Strain G-9 degrades up to 60% of PU foam after 21 days of incubation at 28 ℃ by breaking down carbonyl groups via secretory hydrolase as confirmed by structural characterization of plastics and degradation products identification. Within the supernatant of strain G-9, we identify a novel cutinase BaCut1, belonging to the esterase family, that can reproduce the same effect. BaCut1 demonstrates efficient degradation toward commercial polyester plastics PU foam (0.5 mg enzyme/25 mg plastic) and agricultural film PBAT (0.5 mg enzyme/10 mg plastic) with 50% and 18% weight loss at 37 ℃ for 48 h, respectively. BaCut1 hydrolyzes PU into adipic acid as a major end-product with 42.9% recovery via ester bond cleavage, and visible biodegradation is also identified from PBAT, which is a beneficial feature for future recycling economy. Molecular docking, along with products distribution, elucidates a special substrate-binding modes of BaCut1 with plastic substrate analogue. BaCut1-mediated polyester plastic degradation offers an alternative approach for managing PU plastic wastes through possible bio-recycling.

Fabrication of biodegradable Poly(butylene adipate-co-butylene terephthalate) bead foams through solid utilization of chitin and controllable incorporation of porous structure

The pollution caused by waste plastics is becoming increasingly serious, and utilizing the biodegradable materials, that can be completely degraded in nature, is considered to be one of the most promising ways to solve this problem. Poly(butylene adipate-co-butylene terephthalate) (PBAT), as the commonly used biodegradable polymer material, is subjected to the problem of high cost, poor mechanical performance, and low melt strength at high temperatures. Herein, a novel strategy combining solid utilization of biomass material chitin and incorporation of porous structure was developed to fabricate the PBAT bead foams, relying on the solid-state shear milling (S3M) and supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO2) foaming technologies. Chitin scraps were super finely pulverized and uniformly combined with PBAT, and the PBAT-based bead foams with controllable cell structure, improved mechanical performance, and low cost after foaming the composite. When the content of chitin was 20%, the tensile strength and Young’s modulus of PBAT/chitin bead foam were 0.72 MPa and 2.14 MPa, respectively, much higher than that of neat PBAT bead foam, expressing the great significance to broadening the application field of degradable plastics.

Optimizing the Mulching Pattern and Nitrogen Application Rate to Improve Maize Photosynthetic Capacity, Yield, and Nitrogen Fertilizer Utilization Efficiency.

Residual film pollution and excessive nitrogen fertilizer have become limiting factors for agricultural development. To investigate the feasibility of replacing conventional plastic film with biodegradable plastic film in cold and arid environments under nitrogen application conditions, field experiments were conducted from 2021 to 2022 with plastic film covering (including degradable plastic film (D) and ordinary plastic film (P)) combined with nitrogen fertilizer 0 (N0), 160 (N1), 320 (N2), and 480 (N3) kg·ha-1. The results showed no significant difference (p > 0.05) in dry matter accumulation, photosynthetic gas exchange parameters, soil enzyme activity, or yield of spring maize under degradable plastic film cover compared to ordinary plastic film cover. Nitrogen fertilizer is the main factor limiting the growth of spring maize. The above-ground and root biomass showed a trend of increasing and then decreasing with the increase in nitrogen application level. Increasing nitrogen fertilizer can also improve the photosynthetic gas exchange parameters of leaves, maintain soil enzyme activity, and reduce soil pH. Under the nitrogen application level of N2, the yield of degradable plastic film and ordinary plastic film coverage increased by 3.74~42.50% and 2.05~40.02%, respectively. At the same time, it can also improve water use efficiency and irrigation water use efficiency, but it will reduce nitrogen fertilizer partial productivity and nitrogen fertilizer agronomic use efficiency. Using multiple indicators to evaluate the effect of plastic film mulching combined with nitrogen fertilizer on the comprehensive growth of spring maize, it was found that the DN2 treatment had the best complete growth of maize, which was the best model for achieving stable yield and income increase and green development of spring maize in cold and cool irrigation areas.

Biodegradation of polyethylene by the marine fungus Parengyodontium album

Plastic pollution in the marine realm is a severe environmental problem. Nevertheless, plastic may also serve as a potential carbon and energy source for microbes, yet the contribution of marine microbes, especially marine fungi to plastic degradation is not well constrained. We isolated the fungus Parengyodontium album from floating plastic debris in the North Pacific Subtropical Gyre and measured fungal-mediated mineralization rates (conversion to CO2) of polyethylene (PE) by applying stable isotope probing assays with 13C-PE over 9 days of incubation. When the PE was pretreated with UV light, the biodegradation rate of the initially added PE was 0.044 %/day. Furthermore, we traced the incorporation of PE-derived 13C carbon into P. album biomass using nanoSIMS and fatty acid analysis. Despite the high mineralization rate of the UV-treated 13C-PE, incorporation of PE-derived 13C into fungal cells was minor, and 13C incorporation was not detectable for the non-treated PE. Together, our results reveal the potential of P. album to degrade PE in the marine environment and to mineralize it to CO2. However, the initial photodegradation of PE is crucial for P. album to metabolize the PE-derived carbon.

Evolution of hotspots and research trends in agricultural mulch film research: a bibliometric review

Agricultural mulch film (AMF) can increase the soil temperature, reduce the evaporation of water and soil erosion, control the number of weeds and pests, and improve the yield and quality of crops. However, the environmental pollution caused by AMF residues is becoming serious and has attracted increasing amounts of research. Research on AMF is a complex subject with diverse content and rich perspectives. Currently, there have been few systematic reviews of the use of AMF. To comprehensively and deeply understand the current status, hotspots, and trends of research on AMF, this paper conducted a bibliometric analysis of AMF literature from 1960 to 2022. Results are as follows: the overall publication volume in the field of AMF has increased 1960 to 2022. The top three countries contributing to publication volume include China, United States (US) and India, which are also the main collaborating nations. Notably, cooperation between China and US is the most frequent, and a cluster constituted by European nations serve as a primary collaborator for other countries. Owing to the introduction and development of the concept of degradable plastics, the field entered a period of rapid growth after 1970 and has primarily focused on continuous development in the areas of horticulture and environmental science. Current research on AMF primarily aims to: 1) develop applications that are aimed at enhancing the yield and quality of crops, and 2) improve the materials used to produce AMF to reduce its environmental impact. The persistent hotspots of research in AMF revolve around modifying the soil microclimate, promoting crop growth and development, and increasing crop yields. Frontier AMF research includes: exploring crop quality enhancement mechanisms, developing low-cost biodegradable film technologies and their natural degradation effects, and investigating AMF’s impact on soil nitrous oxide emissions and associated mechanisms.