Enzymatic Degradation of Polyurethane Microplastics Using Fungal Isolates From Mangrove Sediments: A Novel Bioremediation Approach
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.69855/science.v3i4.894Keywords:
Polyurethane Microplastics, Fungal Isolates, Mangrove Sediment, Bioremediation, Esterase ActivityAbstract
Polyurethane (PU) microplastics pose an emerging threat to coastal ecosystems. This study investigated the PU-degrading potential of fungi isolated from mangrove sediments in Bungus Bay, Padang, West Sumatra, Indonesia. Sediments from seaward, middle, and landward zones were screened using PU-enrichment culture and Impranil-DLN clear-zone assays. Selected isolates were identified through internal transcribed spacer sequencing and evaluated using weight-loss analysis, esterase and urease assays, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Among 45 fungal colonies representing 18 morphotypes, seven exhibited clear-zone formation. Three isolates were identified as Aspergillus sp. MSP-3, Trichoderma sp. MSP-7, and Penicillium sp. MSP-12. MSP-3 achieved the highest PU film weight loss (34.2 ± 2.1%) after 56 days, significantly exceeding positive and abiotic controls (p < .001). Esterase activity correlated strongly with weight loss (r = .89, p < .001). FTIR and SEM confirmed chemical and morphological alterations, highlighting MSP-3 as a promising candidate for enzymatic PU microplastic bioremediation.
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