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Treatment of Cigarette Butts: Biodegradation of Cellulose Acetate by Rot Fungi and Bacteria

Summary

Cigarette butts are a major global pollution problem because they contain cellulose acetate that doesn’t break down naturally. This study tested whether specific fungi and bacteria could eat away at cigarette filters. After one month of treatment, the bacteria B. cereus and fungi like P. ostreatus and L. lepideus successfully degraded about 24-34% of the cigarette material, suggesting these microorganisms could be used to help dispose of cigarette waste.

Background

Cigarette butts are among the most abundant types of waste worldwide, with approximately 1.2 billion tons released into the environment annually. Most cigarette filters are composed of cellulose acetate fibers that are resistant to natural degradation due to their high degree of acetyl substitution and compressed composition. Microbial biodegradation using fungi and bacteria presents a potential strategy for treating this persistent pollutant.

Objective

This study evaluated the biodegradative capacity of two rot fungi (Pleurotus ostreatus and Lentinus lepideus) and two bacteria (Bacillus cereus and Pseudomonas putida) to degrade cellulose acetate-based cigarette butts from two different commercial brands. The goal was to assess the effectiveness of these microorganisms as potential candidates for cigarette butt waste management.

Results

After 31 days, weight loss ranged from 24-34%, with B. cereus showing the greatest efficacy (33% mass loss). FTIR analysis confirmed changes in functional groups indicating cellulose acetate deacetylation. Confocal and scanning electron microscopy revealed fungal hyphal colonization and bacterial biofilm formation on cigarette butt surfaces, with observable structural degradation.

Conclusion

Both fungi and bacteria demonstrated significant abilities to degrade cellulose acetate in cigarette butts, with bacterial treatments (particularly B. cereus) being slightly more effective than fungal treatments. The findings suggest microbial consortia could potentially enhance degradation further and provide promising biological solutions for cigarette butt waste management.
  • Published in:Microorganisms,
  • Study Type:Experimental Study,
  • Source: 10.3390/microorganisms12112285, 39597674
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