Michael Davis
With over 8.3 billion tons of plastic produced since the 1960s, plastic pollution is one of the biggest waste issues of our time. Scientists are now turning to mushrooms and mycoremediation to solve this crisis. Certain mushroom species, such as Pestalotiopsis microspora, are capable of consuming polyurethane, a common plastic. The process of mycoremediation involves the production of enzymes that break down pollutants, including plastics. Research has shown that these mushrooms can break down plastics in weeks or months, potentially producing a protein-rich food source. With further research, mushrooms could be the answer to reducing plastic waste.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Types of Mushrooms | Pestalotiopsis microspora, Aspergillus tubingensis, Maitake, Oyster mushroom, Honey mushroom |
| Types of Plastic | Polyester Polyurethane, Polypropylene |
| Plastic Waste Locations | Landfills, Oceans, Rivers, Marine Environment |
| Mushroom Benefits | Natural composter, Break down plastic, Reduce plastic pollution, Provide food |
| Mycoremediation | A natural process of bioremediation where fungi use enzymes to break down pollutants |
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What You'll Learn
Plastic-eating mushrooms found in the Amazon
Plastic is a modern-day scourge, clogging landfills, killing marine life, and swirling in our oceans in massive garbage gyres the size of countries. In the search for solutions to the plastic pollution crisis, scientists have discovered several species of mushrooms that can break down certain types of plastic.
In 2011, Yale University students found a rare mushroom, Pestalotiopsis microspora, in the Amazon rainforest in Ecuador. This fungus can degrade polyester polyurethane, a common type of plastic polymer, and use it as its sole carbon source. Pestalotiopsis microspora can break down plastic in both liquid and soil suspensions, even in dark, oxygen-starved environments, making it a potential solution for landfills, waste treatment centres, and ocean plastic gyres.
The discovery of Pestalotiopsis microspora led to further research into plastic decomposition by fungi. Several other members of the Pestalotiopsis genus, including Pestalotiopsis microspor, found in the Amazon at the intersection of the Andes, Equator, and Amazon basin, have been found to possess plastic-degrading capabilities. Additionally, common edible mushrooms like the oyster mushroom have been shown to decompose plastic while remaining edible, offering potential for at-home recycling systems.
While the potential of plastic-eating mushrooms is exciting, there are limitations and safety concerns to consider. For example, some mushrooms can absorb too many toxins during the plastic decomposition process, making them unsafe for consumption. Releasing new organisms into new environments, such as the ocean, can also be challenging. Nevertheless, the discovery of plastic-eating mushrooms and ongoing research in this field hold promise for innovative solutions to address the global plastic pollution crisis.
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Mushrooms can break down plastics in weeks
Plastic is a modern-day scourge, clogging our landfills, killing marine life, and swirling in our oceans in massive garbage gyres the size of countries. Scientists have been searching for methods to decompose plastic and have turned to mushrooms and mycoremediation as a possible solution.
Mushrooms, or more specifically, fungi, have been found to break down certain types of plastics. In 2011, Yale University students discovered the first fungus that could eat plastic and thrive in oxygen-starved environments like landfills. This fungus, Pestalotiopsis microspora, was found in the Amazon rainforest in Ecuador. It can degrade a common type of polymer plastic called polyester polyurethane and can do so in both liquid and soil suspensions in dark environments without oxygen. It can even decompose parts of plastic in just two weeks.
Other types of mushrooms that can break down plastics include Aspergillus tubingensis, found in a city garbage dump in Islamabad, Pakistan, and oyster mushrooms, which are edible even after consuming plastic. Research conducted by the University of Sydney's School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering also discovered that two types of fungi typically found in plants and soil, Aspergillus terreus and Engyodontium album, could break down polypropylene, a hard-to-recycle plastic, after being pre-treated with heat, UV light, or an acidic solution.
The process by which mushrooms break down plastics is called mycoremediation, a form of bioremediation. Fungi produce enzymes that can break down different types of pollutants, including plastics. While mushrooms show promise in breaking down plastics, more research is needed to understand the safety aspects of releasing new organisms into new environments, such as the ocean.
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Mycoremediation: the natural process of fungi
Mushrooms, or rather, the fungi kingdom, might be the answer to the world's plastic waste problem. Scientists have discovered that certain mushroom species can 'eat' plastic, and their findings could change how we get rid of trash. The process, called mycoremediation, is a form of bioremediation that uses fungi instead of bacteria to break down different types of environmental pollutants.
Mycoremediation is the natural process that fungi use to degrade or isolate contaminants in the environment. Fungi produce enzymes that can break down different types of pollutants, including plastics. This unique mushroom feature has been shown to be an efficient tool in waste remediation. For example, a 2020 study published in Biotechnology Reports found that mycoremediation applied to agricultural wastes like pesticides, herbicides, and cyanotoxins is more cost-effective and eco-friendly.
In 2011, researchers at Yale University tested the ability of several dozen fungi to digest the synthetic polymer polyester polyurethane (PUR), a type of plastic. They found that several members of the Pestalotiopsis genus of fungi were capable of degrading PUR and converting it into organic matter in both solid and liquid suspensions. Pestalotiopsis microspora, a rare mushroom found in the Amazon rainforest in Ecuador, can even decompose parts of plastic in just two weeks.
In 2017, scientists discovered another plastic-eating mushroom, Aspergillus tubingensis, in a general city waste disposal site in Pakistan. This fungus can break down polyester polyurethane into smaller pieces after two months. Some mushrooms remain edible even after consuming plastic, though they can sometimes absorb too many toxins in their mycelium and become unsafe for consumption.
Research conducted by the University of Sydney's School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering discovered that two types of fungi typically found in plants and soil—Aspergillus terreus and Engyodontium album—were able to break down polypropylene, a hard-to-recycle plastic, after being pre-treated with heat, UV light, or an acidic solution. The researchers hope their method could one day reduce the vast amount of plastic polluting the environment and lead to a greater understanding of how plastic pollution might biodegrade naturally.
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Fungi can biodegrade polypropylene
Polypropylene is a commonly used plastic that is difficult to recycle. It is used to create a wide range of products, from household items like toys and food containers to industrial products like car parts and textiles. Despite its prevalence, polypropylene accounts for roughly 28% of global plastic waste, with only 1% of it being recycled. This low recycling rate is attributed to its short life as a packaging material and its tendency to become contaminated by other materials and plastics. As a result, polypropylene often ends up in landfills, contributing to environmental pollution.
However, recent research has offered a potential solution to this problem. In a groundbreaking experiment, researchers from the University of Sydney successfully biodegraded polypropylene using two common strains of fungi: Aspergillus terreus and Engyodontium album. These fungi, typically found in soil and plants, were able to break down polypropylene after it was pre-treated with heat, UV light, or an acidic solution called Fenton's reagent. The process reduced the plastic by 21% over 30 days and by 25%-27% over 90 days.
The discovery of fungi's ability to biodegrade polypropylene is significant in addressing the global plastic waste crisis. By understanding the conditions that facilitate the degradation process, scientists can explore the potential for natural biodegradation of plastic pollution. This knowledge can also inform the development of new recycling technologies driven by biological processes.
While the University of Sydney's research focused specifically on polypropylene, other studies have explored the ability of fungi to degrade different types of plastics. For example, researchers at Yale University found that the Pestalotiopsis genus of fungi can degrade polyester polyurethane, a synthetic polymer. Additionally, the common edible oyster mushroom has been found to possess plastic bioremediation capabilities while remaining edible itself, presenting the possibility of at-home recycling systems.
The potential for fungi to biodegrade plastics, including polypropylene, offers a promising avenue for reducing plastic pollution and improving recycling methods. Further research and exploration of the biological processes involved are crucial to harnessing the power of fungi in tackling the pressing issue of plastic waste.
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Using mushrooms for waste treatment
The global waste management industry has exceeded a $2 trillion USD market evaluation. Establishing more sustainable composting, recycling, upcycling, and disposal practices is critical to achieving climate goals. However, with overconsumption habits showing no signs of slowing down, landfills are already at over 85% capacity.
One innovative solution to the waste management problem is the use of mushrooms and mycoremediation. Mycoremediation is the use of fungi and mushrooms to remove waste from the environment. It is a form of bioremediation, which involves introducing microorganisms or other life forms to break down environmental pollutants in contaminated areas.
Mushrooms have been used successfully to treat wastewater and remove toxic dyes. Spent mushroom waste (SMW) is a residual compost waste generated by the mushroom production industry. It is rich in natural polymers such as chitosan, chitin, protein, cellulose, and hemicelluloses. These polymers are rich in carbonyl, hydroxyl, and amide functional groups, providing active binding sites for pollutants in the wastewater treatment process. By modifying SMW with cationic surfactants, its dye adsorption capacity can be significantly improved, making it an effective and eco-friendly solution for wastewater treatment.
In addition to wastewater treatment, mushrooms have also been found to be effective in breaking down plastics. A 2011 study by Yale University discovered that the Pestalotiopsis genus of fungi is capable of degrading polyester polyurethane (PUR), a synthetic polymer plastic. This ability to decompose plastic in both anaerobic and aerobic conditions makes Pestalotiopsis an ideal candidate for use in landfills and waste treatment centers.
Furthermore, research conducted by the University of Sydney found that two types of fungi, Aspergillus terreus and Engyodontium album, could break down polypropylene, a hard-to-recycle plastic, after being pre-treated with heat, UV light, or an acidic solution. The ability of mushrooms to break down plastics offers a potential solution to the vast amount of plastic polluting the environment and contributes to the development of a circular economy.
Mycocycle, a company specializing in mushroom-based waste management, has trained the mycelium mushroom to secrete enzymes that convert heavy hydrocarbons and plasticizers into simpler forms that can be decomposed by the environment. Their process involves reducing waste size, pre-treating it, and blending it with their proprietary formulation. The treated waste is then incubated in a controlled environment for 2-4 weeks, resulting in new raw materials that can be harvested for reuse.
Overall, the use of mushrooms for waste treatment offers a natural and innovative solution to address the growing waste management challenges and contribute to a more sustainable future.
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Frequently asked questions
Plastic-eating mushrooms are mushrooms that can break down plastic through a process called mycoremediation. Mycoremediation is a form of bioremediation where microorganisms are used to break down environmental pollutants.
The mushroom's enzymes and mycelia work to break the bonds between molecules and then break them apart.
Some mushrooms that can break down plastic include Pestalotiopsis microspora, Aspergillus tubingensis, and the common edible oyster mushroom.
