Poly(L-lactide) mineralisation under environmental conditions is enhanced in earthworm guts

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OriginalspracheEnglisch
Aufsatznummer109485
FachzeitschriftSoil Biology and Biochemistry
Jahrgang196
Frühes Online-Datum3 Juni 2024
PublikationsstatusVeröffentlicht - Sept. 2024

Abstract

Microplastic accumulates in various habitats, posing a potential environmental threat. Biodegradable polymers like poly(L-lactide) (PLLA) is a possible eco-friendly alternative to conventional, non-biodegradable plastics. However, biodegradation of PLLA in soil is strongly limited, but is potentially enhanced by soil-dwelling organisms. We recently showed that PLLA exposure positively affected reproduction in the earthworm Eisenia fetida, and increased gut lactate concentrations, indicating the hypothesis of earthworm-enhanced PLLA biodegradation. Thus, 13C-labelled PLLA was used for a 13CO2-tracing approach to monitor PLLA mineralisation in presence and absence of the earthworm E. fetida. Mineralisation of 0.2% of initial PLLA was attributed to the activity of earthworms after two weeks of exposure. Extrapolation assuming zero-order kinetics and limitation of microbial growth suggested a substantially shorter half-life of PLLA in earthworm-amended soils. This finding provides strong evidence that conditions inside the earthworm gut are beneficial for PLLA degradation and provide a basis for the development of mitigation strategies for PLLA microplastic pollution.

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Poly(L-lactide) mineralisation under environmental conditions is enhanced in earthworm guts. / Hink, Linda; Rohrbach, Stephan; Rehkopf, Joey et al.
in: Soil Biology and Biochemistry, Jahrgang 196, 109485, 09.2024.

Publikation: Beitrag in FachzeitschriftArtikelForschungPeer-Review

Hink L, Rohrbach S, Rehkopf J, Sehl E, Agarwal S, Feldhaar H et al. Poly(L-lactide) mineralisation under environmental conditions is enhanced in earthworm guts. Soil Biology and Biochemistry. 2024 Sep;196:109485. Epub 2024 Jun 3. doi: 10.1016/j.soilbio.2024.109485
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abstract = "Microplastic accumulates in various habitats, posing a potential environmental threat. Biodegradable polymers like poly(L-lactide) (PLLA) is a possible eco-friendly alternative to conventional, non-biodegradable plastics. However, biodegradation of PLLA in soil is strongly limited, but is potentially enhanced by soil-dwelling organisms. We recently showed that PLLA exposure positively affected reproduction in the earthworm Eisenia fetida, and increased gut lactate concentrations, indicating the hypothesis of earthworm-enhanced PLLA biodegradation. Thus, 13C-labelled PLLA was used for a 13CO2-tracing approach to monitor PLLA mineralisation in presence and absence of the earthworm E. fetida. Mineralisation of 0.2% of initial PLLA was attributed to the activity of earthworms after two weeks of exposure. Extrapolation assuming zero-order kinetics and limitation of microbial growth suggested a substantially shorter half-life of PLLA in earthworm-amended soils. This finding provides strong evidence that conditions inside the earthworm gut are beneficial for PLLA degradation and provide a basis for the development of mitigation strategies for PLLA microplastic pollution.",
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AU - Hink, Linda

AU - Rohrbach, Stephan

AU - Rehkopf, Joey

AU - Sehl, Elmar

AU - Agarwal, Seema

AU - Feldhaar, Heike

AU - Horn, Marcus A.

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