Enhancing the oxidation of polystyrene through a homogeneous liquid degradation system for effective microbial degradation.

Plastics play a crucial role in modern industries; however, their resistance to natural degradation contributes to environmental pollution, and microplastics pose a health threat. The hydrophobic nature of microplastics poses a considerable challenge, rendering them resistant to dissolving in water. In this study, we conducted a comparative analysis of the microbial biodegradation capabilities of polystyrene in solid and liquid states.

Identification of plastic-degrading bacteria in the human gut.

Environmental pollution caused by the excessive use of plastics has resulted in the inflow of microplastics into the human body. However, the effects of microplastics on the human gut microbiota still need to be better understood. To determine whether plastic-degrading bacteria exist in the human gut, we collected the feces of six human individuals, did enrichment cultures and screened for bacterial species with a low-density polyethylene (LDPE) or polypropylene (PP)-degrading activity using a micro-spray method.