Faculty of Sport, Health and Social Science, Solent University, Southampton, UK.
Department of Chemistry, College of Science, Swansea University, Swansea, UK.
J Appl Microbiol. 2022 Jan;132(1):78-89. doi: 10.1111/jam.15203. Epub 2021 Jul 31.
Plastics have become ubiquitous in both their adoption as materials and as environmental contaminants. Widespread pollution of these versatile, man-made and largely petroleum-derived polymers has resulted from their long-term mass production, inappropriate disposal and inadequate end of life management. Polyethylene (PE) is at the forefront of this problem, accounting for one-third of plastic demand in Europe in part due to its extensive use in packaging. Current recycling and incineration processes do not represent sustainable solutions to tackle plastic waste, especially once it becomes littered, and the development of new waste-management and remediation technologies are needed. Mycoremediation (fungal-based biodegradation) of PE has been the topic of several studies over the last two decades. The utility of these studies is limited by an inconclusive definition of biodegradation and a lack of knowledge regarding the biological systems responsible. This review highlights relevant features of fungi as potential bioremediation agents, before discussing the evidence for fungal biodegradation of both high- and low-density PE. An up-to-date perspective on mycoremediation as a future solution to PE waste is provided.
塑料已广泛应用于材料和环境污染物中。由于其长期大规模生产、不当处理和不充分的生命周期管理，这些用途广泛、人为制造且主要源自石油的聚合物已造成广泛污染。聚乙烯（PE）是这一问题的前沿，在欧洲占塑料需求的三分之一，部分原因是其在包装中的广泛应用。目前的回收和焚烧处理方法并不能代表解决塑料废物的可持续解决方案，尤其是在废物变成垃圾之后，需要开发新的废物管理和修复技术。过去二十年来，PE 的真菌修复（基于真菌的生物降解）一直是多项研究的主题。这些研究的实用性受到生物降解定义不明确以及对负责的生物系统缺乏了解的限制。本综述强调了真菌作为潜在生物修复剂的相关特征，然后讨论了真菌对高密度和低密度 PE 的生物降解的证据。提供了关于真菌修复作为 PE 废物未来解决方案的最新观点。
