Biodegradation – Page 4

Resistance of Cereal-Husk-Reinforced PVC Terrace Profiles to Agaricomycetes Fungi

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This study tested how well new terrace boards made from oat and millet husks mixed with plastic perform when exposed to wood-rotting fungi. The results showed that oat-husk boards are as resistant as the commonly used rice-husk boards, making them a good sustainable alternative for outdoor terraces. However, millet-husk boards were found to be too vulnerable to fungal damage for this application.

Effect of AgNPs on PLA-Based Biocomposites with Polysaccharides: Biodegradability, Antibacterial Activity and Features

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Scientists created new eco-friendly plastic films made from corn-based PLA combined with natural starches and tiny silver particles. These films can break down in soil while also killing harmful bacteria, making them ideal for food packaging. The materials maintained good antibacterial properties even as they slowly degraded in the environment, showing promise as sustainable alternatives to conventional plastics.

Biocomposites Based on Mould Biomass and Waste Fibres for the Production of Agrotextiles: Technology Development, Material Characterization, and Agricultural Application

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Researchers developed a new eco-friendly material made from mould mycelium combined with waste plant fibres that can be used as a substitute for synthetic agricultural textiles. The material successfully grows in about 5 days, can be completely biodegraded in soil within 10 days, and helps seeds germinate faster. This innovation supports sustainable farming by eliminating microplastic pollution from traditional synthetic crop covers while providing better properties than many conventional alternatives.

Biocomposites Based on Mould Biomass and Waste Fibres for the Production of Agrotextiles: Technology Development, Material Characterization, and Agricultural Application

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Researchers developed a new biodegradable material for agriculture made from mould mycelium and waste plant fibres. This eco-friendly crop cover can be used instead of synthetic plastic sheets that damage soil and pollute it with microplastics. The material breaks down naturally in soil within 10 days and can help seeds germinate better, offering farmers a sustainable alternative for protecting their crops.

Degradation of Extra-Heavy Crude Oil by Fungi Isolated from Hydrothermal Vents Fields in the Gulf of California

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Scientists discovered that certain fungi living in deep-sea hydrothermal vents can break down extra-heavy crude oil, a thick and difficult-to-treat form of petroleum. Among eight fungal species tested, Aspergillus sydowii was the most effective, degrading 40% of the crude oil in laboratory conditions. This research suggests these hardy deep-sea fungi could be used as a natural solution to clean up oil spills in extreme marine environments where traditional cleaning methods don’t work well.

Extracted Spent Coffee Grounds as a Performance-Enhancing Additive for Poly(Lactic Acid) Biodegradable Nursery Bags in Agriculture

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This research developed eco-friendly nursery bags by combining biodegradable plastic (PLA) with leftover coffee grounds. The coffee grounds, which would otherwise be waste, improve the plastic’s flexibility and help it break down faster in soil. The resulting bags protect plant roots from sunlight while safely degrading in the environment within a few months, offering farmers a sustainable alternative to traditional plastic bags.

Conversion of Soluble Compounds in Distillery Wastewater into Fungal Biomass and Metabolites Using Australian Ganoderma Isolates

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Researchers discovered that Ganoderma mushroom mycelium can clean up rum distillery wastewater while producing edible, protein-rich fungal biomass. The mycelium successfully removed harmful compounds from the wastewater and accumulated bioactive compounds with health benefits. This dual-benefit approach transforms an environmental waste problem into a valuable food ingredient, offering a sustainable and economical solution for the distillery industry.

Mycoremediation of azole antifungal agents using in vitro cultures of Lentinula edodes

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This research shows that shiitake mushrooms (Lentinula edodes) can help clean up antifungal medications that contaminate water and soil. When the mushroom mycelium was exposed to two common antifungal drugs used in creams and treatments, it absorbed and broke down these compounds. The mushrooms degraded about one-third of the drugs by targeting their chemical structure, particularly the imidazole ring. This suggests mushrooms could be used as a natural, cost-effective solution for removing pharmaceutical pollution from the environment.

Nicotine Degradation by Trametes versicolor: Insights from Diverse Environmental Stressors and Wastewater Medium

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This study shows that a common mushroom fungus called Trametes versicolor can effectively break down and remove nicotine from wastewater. The research found that the fungus works best at room temperature and slightly acidic conditions, particularly when grown in wastewater-like media. The findings suggest this fungal approach could become an environmentally friendly way to clean up nicotine pollution in water systems.

Immunomodulatory natural polysaccharide-based nanoparticles for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases

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Scientists are developing tiny particles made from natural sugar-based compounds that can deliver medicine to the brain while reducing inflammation caused by neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. These nanoparticles are special because they can cross the protective barrier surrounding the brain and carry therapeutic compounds directly to where they’re needed. The natural polysaccharides used to make these particles have built-in anti-inflammatory properties, making them safer and more effective than traditional approaches. This innovative technology shows promise for treating currently difficult-to-manage brain diseases.

Research Keyword: Biodegradation