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Journal ArticleDOI

Biodegradation of bioplastics in natural environments.

01 Jan 2017-Waste Management (Pergamon)-Vol. 59, Iss: 59, pp 526-536
TL;DR: This review highlights the recent findings attributed to the biodegradability of bioplastics in various environments, environmental conditions, degree of biodegradation, including the identified bioplastic-degrading microorganisms from different microbial communities.
About: This article is published in Waste Management.The article was published on 2017-01-01. It has received 618 citations till now. The article focuses on the topics: Bioplastic.
Citations
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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: It is shown that biodegradation tests carried out in artificial environments lack transferability to real conditions and, therefore, the necessity of environmentally authentic and relevant field-testing conditions is highlighted.
Abstract: In recent years the littering of plastics and the problems related to their persistence in the environment have become a major focus in both research and the news. Biodegradable polymers like poly(lactic acid) are seen as a suitable alternative to commodity plastics. However, poly(lactic acid) is basically non-degradable in seawater. Similarly, the degradation rate of other biodegradable polymers also crucially depends on the environments they end up in, such as soil or marine water, or when used in biomedical devices. In this Minireview, we show that biodegradation tests carried out in artificial environments lack transferability to real conditions and, therefore, highlight the necessity of environmentally authentic and relevant field-testing conditions. In addition, we focus on ecotoxicological implications of biodegradable polymers. We also consider the social aspects and ask how biodegradable polymers influence consumer behavior and municipal waste management. Taken together, this study is intended as a contribution towards evaluating the potential of biodegradable polymers as alternative materials to commodity plastics.

753 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Evidence is provided that microplastics manufactured of HDPE and PLA, and synthetic fibers can affect the development of L. perenne, health of A. rosea and basic, but crucial soil properties, with potential further impacts on soil ecosystem functioning.
Abstract: Environmental contamination by microplastics is now considered an emerging threat to biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. Soil ecosystems, particularly agricultural land, have been recognized as a major sink of microplastics, but the impacts of microplastics on soil ecosystems (e.g., above and below ground) remain largely unknown. In this study, different types of microplastics [biodegradable polylactic acid (PLA)], conventional high-density polyethylene (HDPE), and microplastic clothing fibers were added to soil containing the endogeic Aporrectodea rosea (rosy-tipped earthworm) and planted with Lolium perenne (perennial ryegrass) to assess the biophysical soil response in a mesocosm experiment. When exposed to fibers or PLA microplastics, fewer seeds germinated. There was also a reduction in shoot height with PLA. The biomass of A. rosea exposed to HDPE was significantly reduced compared to control samples. Furthermore, with HDPE present there was a decrease in soil pH. The size distribution of water-stable soil aggregates was altered when microplastics were present, suggesting potential alterations of soil stability. This study provides evidence that microplastics manufactured of HDPE and PLA, and synthetic fibers can affect the development of L. perenne, health of A. rosea and basic, but crucial soil properties, with potential further impacts on soil ecosystem functioning.

576 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Mandating scientific sterilization and the use of sealed bags for safe disposal of contaminated plastic wastes should be an immediate priority to reduce the risk of transmission to sanitation workers.

379 citations


Cites background from "Biodegradation of bioplastics in na..."

  • ...The recyclability and environmental viability of bioplastics are heavily dependent on its base design and the choice of raw materials (Ahimbisibwe et al., 2019; Emadian et al., 2016)....

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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This review shows the interconnection between terrestrial and freshwater microplastics with wastewater and sewage treatment plants as the most significant contributors of environmental microplastic via sludge and effluent discharges.

284 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
01 Jan 2020
TL;DR: The performance of biodegradable polymers is discussed in this article, with a particular focus on the blends of starch and other polymers, and the potential applications for bioactive coatings on antimicrobial packaging materials are also addressed.
Abstract: Recently, the demands for biodegradable and renewable materials for packaging applications have increased tremendously. This rise in demand is connected to the growing environmental concerns over the extensive use of synthetic and non-biodegradable polymeric packaging, polyethylene in particular. The performance of biodegradable polymers is discussed in this review, with a particular focus on the blends of starch and other polymers. Furthermore, in food packaging industry, microbial activities are of great concern. Therefore, incorporation of antimicrobial agents or polymers to produce barrier-enhanced or active packaging materials provides an attractive option for protecting food from microorganism development and spread. Additionally, the barrier, mechanical and other properties of biodegradable polymers are discussed. Lastly, the existing and potential applications for bioactive coatings on antimicrobial packaging materials are also addressed.

281 citations

References
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Book
01 Jan 2006
TL;DR: Animal Models and Therapy, Directed Differentiation and Characterization of Genetically Modified Embryonic Stem Cells for Therapy, and Use of Differentiating Embryonics Stem cells in the Parkinsonian Mouse Model are reviewed.
Abstract: Isolation and Maintenance.- Isolation and Differentiation of Medaka Embryonic Stem Cells.- Maintenance of Chicken Embryonic Stem Cells In Vitro.- Derivation and Culture of Mouse Trophoblast Stem Cells In Vitro.- Derivation, Maintenance, and Characterization of Rat Embryonic Stem Cells In Vitro.- Derivation, Maintenance, and Induction of the Differentiation In Vitro of Equine Embryonic Stem Cells.- Generation and Characterization of Monkey Embryonic Stem Cells.- Derivation and Propagation of Embryonic Stem Cells in Serum- and Feeder-Free Culture.- Signaling in Embryonic Stem Cell Differentiation.- Internal Standards in Differentiating Embryonic Stem Cells In Vitro.- Matrix Assembly, Cell Polarization, and Cell Survival.- Phosphoinositides, Inositol Phosphates, and Phospholipase C in Embryonic Stem Cells.- Cripto Signaling in Differentiating Embryonic Stem Cells.- The Use of Embryonic Stem Cells to Study Hedgehog Signaling.- Transfection and Promoter Analysis in Embryonic Stem Cells.- SAGE Analysis to Identify Embryonic Stem Cell-Predominant Transcripts.- Utilization of Digital Differential Display to Identify Novel Targets of Oct3/4.- Gene Silencing Using RNA Interference in Embryonic Stem Cells.- Genetic Manipulation of Embryonic Stem Cells.- Efficient Transfer of HSV-1 Amplicon Vectors Into Embryonic Stem Cells and Their Derivatives.- Lentiviral Vector-Mediated Gene Transfer in Embryonic Stem Cells.- Use of the Cytomegalovirus Promoter for Transient and Stable Transgene Expression in Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells.- Use of Simian Immunodeficiency Virus Vectors for Simian Embryonic Stem Cells.- Generation of Green Fluorescent Protein-Expressing Monkey Embryonic Stem Cells.- DNA Damage Response and Mutagenesis in Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells.- Ultraviolet-Induced Apoptosis in Embryonic Stem Cells In Vitro.- Use of Embryonic Stem Cells in Pharmacological and Toxicological Screens.- Use of Differentiating Embryonic Stem Cells in Pharmacological Studies.- Embryonic Stem Cells as a Source of Differentiated Neural Cells for Pharmacological Screens.- Use of Murine Embryonic Stem Cells in Embryotoxicity Assays.- Use of Chemical Mutagenesis in Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells.- Epigenetic Analysis of Embryonic Stem Cells.- Nuclear Reprogramming of Somatic Nucleus Hybridized With Embryonic Stem Cells by Electrofusion.- Methylation in Embryonic Stem Cells In Vitro.- Tumor-Like Properties.- Identification of Genes Involved in Tumor-Like Properties of Embryonic Stem Cells.- In Vivo Tumor Formation From Primate Embryonic Stem Cells.- Animal Models and Therapy.- Directed Differentiation and Characterization of Genetically Modified Embryonic Stem Cells for Therapy.- Use of Differentiating Embryonic Stem Cells in the Parkinsonian Mouse Model.

3,665 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The study of antibiotic resistance has been historically concentrated on the analysis of bacterial pathogens and on the consequences of acquiring resistance for human health, but the studies on antibiotic resistance should not be confined to clinical-associated ecosystems.
Abstract: Work in our laboratory is supported by grants BIO2008-00090 from the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation and KBBE-227258 (BIOHYPO), HEALTH-F3-2011-282004 (EVOTAR), and HEALTH-F3-2010-241476 (PAR) from European Union.

2,103 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this review, microbial and enzymatic biodegradation of plastics and some factors that affect their biodegradability are discussed.
Abstract: Plastic is a broad name given to different polymers with high molecular weight, which can be degraded by various processes. However, considering their abundance in the environment and their specificity in attacking plastics, biodegradation of plastics by microorganisms and enzymes seems to be the most effective process. When plastics are used as substrates for microorganisms, evaluation of their biodegradability should not only be based on their chemical structure, but also on their physical properties (melting point, glass transition temperature, crystallinity, storage modulus etc.). In this review, microbial and enzymatic biodegradation of plastics and some factors that affect their biodegradability are discussed.

1,126 citations


"Biodegradation of bioplastics in na..." refers background in this paper

  • ...In addition, the adverse environmental impacts including carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and their long-period accumulation in the environment due to their nonbiodegradability are the significant drawbacks of using the nonbiodegradable plastics (Tokiwa et al., 2009; Pathak et al., 2014; Jain and Tiwari, 2015)....

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  • ...Actually, the word bioplastic can refer either to bio-based plastics synthesized from biomass and renewable resources such as Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and Polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) or plastics produced from fossil fuel including aliphatic plastics like Polybutylene succinate (PBS), which can also be utilized as a substrate by microorganisms (Table 1) (Tokiwa et al., 2009; Mekonnen et al., 2013)....

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  • ...…resources such as Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and Polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) or plastics produced from fossil fuel including aliphatic plastics like Polybutylene succinate (PBS), which can also be utilized as a substrate by microorganisms (Table 1) (Tokiwa et al., 2009; Mekonnen et al., 2013)....

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  • ...…the adverse environmental impacts including carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and their long-period accumulation in the environment due to their nonbiodegradability are the significant drawbacks of using the nonbiodegradable plastics (Tokiwa et al., 2009; Pathak et al., 2014; Jain and Tiwari, 2015)....

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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The sources, occurrence, fate and effects of plastic waste in the marine environment are summarized, with land- and ocean-based sources being the major sources and domestic, industrial and fishing activities being the most important contributors.

1,015 citations


"Biodegradation of bioplastics in na..." refers background in this paper

  • ...than 50% of global plastic pollution in marine environment (Li et al., 2016)....

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  • ...2 S.M. Emadian et al. /Waste Management xxx (2016) xxx–xxx than 50% of global plastic pollution in marine environment (Li et al., 2016)....

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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The aim of this review is to emphasise the importance of measure as well as possible, the last stage of the biodegradation, in order to certify the integration of new materials into the biogeochemical cycles.

911 citations


"Biodegradation of bioplastics in na..." refers background in this paper

  • ...(2) Biofragmentation, which is the conversion of polymers to oligomers and monomers by the action of microorganisms and (3) Assimilation where microorganisms are supplied by necessary carbon, energy and nutrient sources from the fragmentation of polymers and convert carbon of plastic to CO2, water and biomass (Lucas et al., 2008)....

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  • ...…conversion of polymers to oligomers and monomers by the action of microorganisms and (3) Assimilation where microorganisms are supplied by necessary carbon, energy and nutrient sources from the fragmentation of polymers and convert carbon of plastic to CO2, water and biomass (Lucas et al., 2008)....

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