Amazon fungi found to eat plastic

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on the potential of fungi, specifically Pestalotiopsis microspora, to degrade plastics, particularly polyurethane. Participants explore the viability of this approach as a solution to plastic waste, the implications of using such fungi, and the broader context of plastic degradation.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants inquire about the viability of using fungi as a solution for plastic waste and whether the fungi are edible.
  • Others clarify that the fungi in question may not be traditional mushrooms but rather a type of fungal growth, specifically ascomycetes, which includes plant pathogens.
  • There is a suggestion that the enzymes from the fungi could be engineered into other microorganisms to enhance plastic degradation and potentially produce biofuels from the breakdown products.
  • One participant notes that two isolates of Pestalotiopsis microspora can grow on polyurethane as the sole carbon source under both aerobic and anaerobic conditions, indicating potential flexibility in application.
  • Concerns are raised regarding the specificity of the fungi to polyurethane and the economic implications of using this method compared to existing recycling processes. The potential risks to agricultural crops from the plant pathogenic nature of the fungus are also mentioned.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the applicability and implications of using Pestalotiopsis microspora for plastic degradation. There is no consensus on whether this approach represents a viable solution to plastic waste or if it may be overstated in its potential benefits.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include the unclear extent of physical degradation of polyurethane by the fungi, the economic feasibility compared to landfill or recycling, and the potential risks associated with the pathogenic nature of the fungus.

Greg Bernhardt
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Anyone have an update on this development? Is it a viable solution? Are the mushrooms tasty? :)

http://aem.asm.org/content/77/17/6076
 
Biology news on Phys.org
It doesn't appear that anyone's cited it yet, according to google scholar. I don't think they're mushrooms though, more of a fungal "growth".

http://nhregister.com/content/articles/2011/08/02/news/new_haven/doc4e38a3be0000b2026019331.jpg
 
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Not sure what you mean by "more of a fungal 'growth' " but you're right - Pestalotiopsis are ascomycetes - and "mushrooms" are typically basidiomycetes. This genus includes plant pathogens. "Solution" to what? Consider this is polyurethane so not all plastics - it may be useful for disposal of that material but probably brings a lot more cost than landfill or recyle.
 
Perhaps you could take the enzyme from this fungus, put it into yeast or bacterium, and engineer these microorganisms to break down plastics. You could even take it a step further and engineer the microorganisms to use the breakdown products of the plastics to create biofuels or other industrially useful carbon compounds.
 
Two Pestalotiopsis microspora isolates were uniquely able to grow on PUR as the sole carbon source under both aerobic and anaerobic conditions.

That might be a big deal. The ability to digest the carbon with or without the presence of an oxidizer could allow greater flexibility in the application of these fungi to break down plastics.
 
I saw that and it's not for "plastics" - it's for polyurethane, a plastic readily recycled now. From the abstract, it is remarkable that fungal growth was demonstrated under both aerobic and anaerobic conditions and polyurethane served as the sole surce of carbon. The extent to which PU material was physically degraded is not reported in the abstract but it is clear that energy would needed to produce and ferment/treat particluate material. Further this is an ednohyte and a plant pathogen.so it's also nt evident that this species/isolate requires an associated plant or that it's repplicatio in other parts of the world wouldnot place economic crops at risk.

On a slow news day, I'm sure this will be magnified to mean the end of plastic waste but it may be more apparent than real that this offers a useful means of addressing this material.
 

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