Biodegradable and Non-biodegradable Plastics in Super mealworms (Zophobas morio)

Byung Kook Ahn(Byung Kook Ahn),Jaewook Myung(Jaewook Myung) 유기성자원학회 2022 유기성자원학회 학술발표대회논문집 Vol.2022 No.추계

Due to growing plastic pollution, biodegradable plastics have become a popular alternative to plastics. Despite its name “biodegradable”, some biodegradable plastics are easily biodegradable only under certain system, like composting conditions or anaerobic digestion. Even that they are not biodegradable particularly in marine and soil environments. Recent work has found that mealworms eat and decompose several plastics. To determine whether biodegradable plastics may be suitable to biodegradation within mealworms, we evaluated the fate of PLA, TPS, PBS and PBAT, comparing with non-bidodegradable plastics. We find that the biodegradable plastics biodegrade like non-biodegarable plastics. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, gel permeation chromatography, and 1H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy were used to obtain quantitative biodegradabilities of the biodegradable plastics in mealworm guts.

퇴비화과정종 생분해성 플라스틱의 분해 가능성 검토

박정수(Jeong-Soo Park),배재근(Chae-gun Phae),전영승(Young-Seung Jeon) 유기성자원학회 2001 유기물자원화 Vol.9 No.4

본 연구는 음식물 쓰레기의 퇴비화과정중에 생분해성 플 라스틱을 같이 넣었을 때, 실제적으로 생분해성 플라스틱이 분해가 이루어지면서 미생물의 활성이나 분해반응에 영향이 미치는지에 대하여 연구하였다. 본 연구에서 30%생분해성 플라스틱 6종류, 100%생분해성 플라스틱 4종류. 난 분해성 플라스탁 2종류가 시료로 사용되었고, 퇴비화반응은 온도 60~70 'C, 함수율 38~45% 의 양호한 조건에서 진행되었다. 무게 감량율은 30% 생분해성 플라스틱의 경우, 6개의 제품 중 4개의 제품이 15-25% 의 무게감량율을 보였으며 HDPE계열이 LLDPE계열보다 더 큰 감량율을 보였다. 물리적 특성에서도 난 분해성 플라스틱과 비교하여 신장율과 연장강도가 더 감소하였으며, LLDPE계열이 HDPE계열보다 더 큰 감소를 보였다. 이러한 현상은 LLDPE계열이 열에 약하기 때문인것으로 예측되었다. 100% 생분해성 플라스틱은 4개중 3개의 제품이 우수한 분해성을 보였고, 전자 현미경에 의한 표면 관찰결과에서 미생물에 의한 분해 흔적이 뚜렷하게 나타났다. 본 연구를 통해서 30% 생분해성 플라스틱은 분해가 되나 퇴비화반응 후에도 필름형태가 그대로 유지되기 때문에 음식물쓰레기 전용봉투로 사용되기에는 부적합하며, 100% 생분해성 플라스틱은 음식물쓰레기 전용봉투로 사용되기에 적합하나 제작비용이 높다는 점에서 생분해성 플라스틱이용의 대중화를 위해서 생산비용절감과 봉투 자체의 품질개선에 더욱 노력해야 할 것으로 사료된다. This srudy investigated that biodegradable plastic is put for making compost from food waste, whether it influences biodegradable response or activates microorganisms during compost process of raw biodegradable plastic in practice Six rypes of 30% biodegradable plastic, four rypes of 100% biodegradablr plastic and rwo rypes of non biodegradable pJastic were used for test material and compost response was processed at temperarure of 60 ~ 700c , 38~45% of water contents in good condition. In case of 30% biodegradable plastics, four goods among six showed 15 ~25% of reduction rate of weight and HDPE style showed bigger reduction rate than LLDPE. As compared ro non biodegradable pJastic, regarding physical character had Jess strain at auto break and stress at max load and LLDPE rype showed bigger reduction than HDPE rype. It is expected that this siruation was due ro LLDPE which is wealc in heat. Three goods among four of 100% biodegradable plastic showed excel1ent degradation and it clearly showed that it was disimegrated by microorganisms in the result of observation of surface by electric microscope. 30% of biodegradable plastic was disintegrated but it mantained the ftlm style even mer compost response, therefore, it isn’t compatibJe ro use for exclusive bag for food waste. 100% biodegradabJe plastic was compatible to use for exclusive bag for food waste but manufacturing expenditure is high. Likewise, it is considered that we shouJd try ro develop quality of bag more and reduce manufacturing expenditure to popularize use ofbiodegradable plastic.

생분해성-난분해성 플라스틱 블렌드로 제작한 3D 프린터 시제품의 생분해

최신형(Shinhyeong Choe),김유진(Yujin Kim),박근용(Geunyong Park),이도현(Do Hyun Lee),박제희(Jehee Park),Ayantu Teshome Mossisa,명재욱(Jaewook Myung) 유기성자원학회 2022 유기성자원학회 학술발표대회논문집 Vol.2022 No.추계

Thermoplastic blends are applied for three-dimensional (3D) printing to obtain improved functionality. While thermal, chemical, and mechanical properties of 3D-printed blends were typically examined, biodegradability of the 3D-printed plastics rarely has been the focus of research. In this study, we evaluated the biodegradation behavior of 3D-printed prototypes fabricated from various plastics and blends, including biodegradable polylactic acid (PLA), poly (3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) and non-biodegradable high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polypropylene (PP). Letter-shaped specimens were prototyped using a fused deposition modeling (FDM) printer with various filaments (PLA, PHB, HDPE, PP, PLA/HDPE, PLA/PP, PHB/HDPE, PHB/PP, and PLA/PHB), and their printing performance and optimal printing conditions were evaluated. FDM 3D printing of HDPE and PP has been problematic due to thermal shrinkage, warping deformation, and poor adhesion. We demonstrate that PLA/HDPE and PLA/PP blends are printable, and PLA/PHB blends exhibit outstanding printing performance. Biodegradation tests on 3D-printed prototypes were performed employing a systematically designed respirometry by simulating i) controlled composting and ii) the aerobic aqueous environment. PHB100 and PLA50/PHB50 showed significant biodegradation in controlled composting and an aerobic aqueous tests (86.4, 85.0% and 73.3, 32.3%, respectively) in 50 days, while PLA100 and other biodegradable/non-biodegradable blends (PLA/HDPE, PLA/PP, PHB/HDPE, PHB/PP) barely biodegraded. The immiscible biodegradable/non-biodegradable plastic blends revealed evidence of partial degradation and even antagonism to biodegradation, most likely due to phase separation and barrier effect. Taken together, although PLA/HDPE, PLA/PP, and PLA/PHB blends could be promising and sustainable 3D-printing resources with some notable improvements in mechanical properties and printing performance, their diverse biodegradation behavior indicate the need for adequate post-consumer management for sustainable 3D-printing.

Discovery of new biocatalyst for plastic biodegradation and future directions

Soo-Jin YEOM 한국생물공학회 2021 한국생물공학회 학술대회 Vol.2021 No.10

Plastic contamination currently threatens a wide variety of ecosystems and presents damaging repercussions and negative consequences for many wildlife species. Sustainable plastic waste management is an important approach to environmental protection and a necessity in the current life cycle of plastics in nature. In this regard, plastic biodegradation by microorganism is most notable. This presentation includes current plastic pollution trends, screening of plastic biodegradable new bacteria and the research hypothesis is that our common area is already surrounded with a bunch of plastics, so it could be possible to screen plastic-degrading bacteria, although a trash-contaminated uncommon environment might have many plastic-degrading bacteria. In addition, we provide proposal to use hypothetical P450 enzymes as potent trigger biocatalysts to biodegrade polyethylene (PE) via in-chain hydroxylation into smaller products of linear aliphatic alcohols and alkanoic acids based on cascade enzymatic reactions. Furthermore, we propose adopting P450 into plastic-eating synthetic bacteria for PE biodegradation. This strategy can be applicable to other dense plastics, such as polypropylene and polystyrene.

Biodegradation of plastics: mining of plastic-degrading microorganisms and enzymes using metagenomics approaches

Kim Dae-Wi,Ahn Jae-Hyung,Cha Chang-Jun 한국미생물학회 2022 The journal of microbiology Vol.60 No.10

Plastic pollution exacerbated by the excessive use of synthetic plastics and its recalcitrance has been recognized among the most pressing global threats. Microbial degradation of plastics has gained attention as a possible eco-friendly countermeasure, as several studies have shown microbial metabolic capabilities as potential degraders of various synthetic plastics. However, still defined biochemical mechanisms of biodegradation for the most plastics remain elusive, because the widely used culture-dependent approach can access only a very limited amount of the metabolic potential in each microbiome. A culture-independent approach, including metagenomics, is becoming increasingly important in the mining of novel plastic-degrading enzymes, considering its more expanded coverage on the microbial metabolism in microbiomes. Here, we described the advantages and drawbacks associated with four different metagenomics approaches (microbial community analysis, functional metagenomics, targeted gene sequencing, and whole metagenome sequencing) for the mining of plastic-degrading microorganisms and enzymes from the plastisphere. Among these approaches, whole metagenome sequencing has been recognized among the most powerful tools that allow researchers access to the entire metabolic potential of a microbiome. Accordingly, we suggest strategies that will help to identify plastisphere-enriched sequences as de novo plastic-degrading enzymes using the whole metagenome sequencing approach. We anticipate that new strategies for metagenomics approaches will continue to be developed and facilitate to identify novel plastic-degrading microorganisms and enzymes from microbiomes.

Biodegradative Activities of Fungal Strains Isolated from Terrestrial Environments in Korea

( Seung-yeol Lee ),( Leonid N. Ten ),( Kallol Das ),( Young-hyun You ),( Hee-young Jung ) 한국균학회 2021 Mycobiology Vol.49 No.3

Polylactic acid (PLA) and polycaprolactone (PCL) are commercially available bioplastics that are exploited worldwide, and both are biodegradable. The PLA and PCL polymer-degrading activity of 30 fungal strains that were isolated from terrestrial environments were screened based on the formation of a clear zone around fungal colonies on agar plates containing emulsified PLA or PCL. Among them, five strains yielded positive results of biodegradation. Strains Korean Agricultural Culture Collection (KACC) 83034BP and KNUF-20-PPH03 exhibited PCL degradation; two other strains, KACC 83035BP and KNUF-20-PDG05, degraded PLA; and the fifth strain, KACC 83036BP, biodegraded both tested plastics. Based on phylogenetic analyses using various combinations of the sequences of internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions, RPB2, LSU, CAL, and b-TUB genes, the above-mentioned strains were identified as Apiotrichum porosum, Penicillium samsonianum, Talaromyces pinophilus, Purpureocillium lilacinum, and Fusicolla acetilerea, respectively. Based on our knowledge, this is the first report on (i) plastic biodegraders among Apiotrichum and Fusicolla species, (ii) the capability of T. pinophilus to degrade biodegradable plastics, (iii) the biodegradative activity of P. samsonianum against PCL, and (iv) the accurate identification of P. lilacinum as a PLA biodegrader. Further studies should be conducted to determine how the fungal species can be utilized in Korea.

합성 플라스틱의 생분해

송윤석(Yoon Seok Song),이희욱(Hee Uk Lee),이자현(Ja Hyun Lee),최한석(Han Suk Choi),최웅수(Ung Su Choi),김승욱(Seung Wook Kim) 한국생물공학회 2012 KSBB Journal Vol.27 No.4

Synthetic plastics are important in many branches of industry. Although synthetic plastics provide numerous benefits, they also cause a significant environmental pollution problem because of their non-readily-biodegradability. Biodegradation may provide solution to the problem, but not enough is known about the biodegradation mechanisms of synthetic plastics. This review has been written to provide an overview of the current state of synthetic plastics (polyethylene, polyurethane, nylon, polyvinyl alcohol) biodegradation. Several biodegradation mechanisms of a few selected synthetic plastics are also presented.

생분해 촉매제를 이용한 산화생분해 바이오 필름 개발

이진규,정동석,유영선 한국포장학회 2016 한국포장학회지 Vol.22 No.3

In this study, Biodegradable masterbatch (M/B) was prepared by different kinds and content of biodegradable catalysts added to oxo biodegradable plastics. The bio film was prepared by adding biodegradable M/B to the polyethylene pellet, and the change of physical properties by UV and heat treatment and the stability as food packaging material were confirmed. As a result of the physical property change, Fe salt and Al salt bio film was superior to Ni salt bio film about a decrease in physical property. However, considering the raw material cost and industrial availability, M/B containing Fe salt was selected and additional experiments were conducted by concentration. The bio films prepared with Fe salt M/B 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 wt% showed excellent physical properties.

복합기능성 생분해 PLA 시트에 관한 연구

이규동,김종균,이규득,전형도,김치곤,윤경배 국제문화기술진흥원 2019 The Journal of the Convergence on Culture Technolo Vol.5 No.1

The study aims to provide a study on the mixing ratios and manufacturing methods of biodegradable PLA sheets for mid - term introduction, A 3-layer process was introduced to produce a multifunctional multi-layer structure sheet having improved heat resistance, impact resistance and transparency while having anti-fogging functionality as a biodegradable PLA sheet used for the purpose of anti-fogging function. Inner layer, core layer and outer layer were mixed and extruded. The inner layer and core layer were studied for a biodegradable PLA multi-layer sheet structure having inner hardness and high heat resistance and outer layer for imparting antifogging function. By applying the results of this study, plastic PLA properties and heat-resistant temperature can be improved to replace and expand plastics. 연구는 생분해성 PLA 시트의 확대적용에 있어, 중단기적인 도입 성과를 낼 수 있는 혼합비율 및 제조방법을위하여 혼합비율을 연구하고 적용하는데 제공하고자 한다. 방담기능의 목적으로 사용되는 생분해성 PLA 시트로 방담기능성을 가지면서 고 내열성, 내 충격성 및 투명성이 향상된 복합 기능성 다층 구조시트로서 복합기능성 다층 구조시트를 제조하기 위해서 3 Layer 공정을 도입하였다. 내층, Core층, 외층을 구분하여 혼합 압출하였으며, 내층과Core층은 내 충격성, 고 내열성을 가지며, 외층은 방담기능성을 부여하는 생분해성 PLA 다층 시트구조로 연구한다. 본 연구 결과를 적용함으로써, 일반 PLA 물성 및 내열온도를 향상시켜 플라스틱 대체 및 확대 적용이 가능하다.

Insect gut microbiome as a novel source for synthetic plastic biodegradation

Jong-Hoon Kim 한국응용곤충학회 2024 한국응용곤충학회 학술대회논문집 Vol.2024 No.04

Over the last decade, there has been growing interest in the plastic degradation capabilities of insect because herbivorous insects may be a valuable resource for microorganisms that can break down synthetic plastics. Insects that can digest plastics using their gut microbiota are gaining interest for use in bioremediation, although their environmental benefits remain unknown. However, most plastics biodegraded by insect gut microbes are polyethylene, polystyrene with little knowledge available on the gut microbiome of insects capable of degrading other synthetic plastics. Therefore, there is an urgent need to secure microbial resources based on insect-microbiome interactions and promote end-of-life solutions for synthetic plastics.