Research conducted at Lake Stechlin in northeastern Germany has shown that certain microfungi can thrive on plastics without other carbon sources, demonstrating their potential to degrade synthetic polymers. "Our most surprising finding was that some fungi could grow exclusively on synthetic polymers and even form biomass," said Hans-Peter Grossart, head of the research team at the Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries.
Grossart suggests that these microbial plastic degraders could be utilized in controlled environments like sewage treatment plants. However, he notes that fungi alone won't solve the global plastic waste problem. "We should minimize plastic release into the environment," Grossart told Reuters, warning that breaking down plastic with fungi releases CO2, similar to burning fossil fuels.
Among the 18 fungal strains studied, four were particularly effective at degrading plastics, especially polyurethane used in construction foam. Polyethylene, found in plastic bags and packaging, degraded more slowly, while microplastics from tire abrasion were the most challenging due to additives like heavy metals.
Grossart believes these fungi have adapted to the large amounts of plastic in the environment, but their enzyme activity depends on external factors such as temperature and micronutrients.
In 2021, global plastic production reached 390 million tonnes, up from 1.7 million tonnes in 1950, according to data from Plastics Europe. Despite recent increases in recycling, less than 10% of plastic waste is recycled worldwide.
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