Nitrogen fixing bacteria facilitate microbial biodegradation of a bio-based and biodegradable plastic in soils under ambient and future climatic conditions

Environ Sci Process Impacts. 2022 Feb 23;24(2):233-241. doi: 10.1039/d1em00426c.

Abstract

We discovered a biological mechanism supporting microbial degradation of bio-based poly(butylene succinate-co-adipate) (PBSA) plastic in soils under ambient and future climates. Here, we show that nitrogen-fixing bacteria facilitate the microbial degradation of PBSA by enhancing fungal abundance, accelerating plastic-degrading enzyme activities, and shaping/interacting with plastic-degrading fungal communities.

MeSH terms

  • Biodegradable Plastics* / metabolism
  • Biodegradation, Environmental
  • Fungi / metabolism
  • Nitrogen-Fixing Bacteria* / metabolism
  • Soil

Substances

  • Biodegradable Plastics
  • Soil