Environment & Mycoremediation

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Study

Aspergillus niger Fungus Breaks Down Hard-to-Degrade Plastic

Aspergillus niger Fungus Breaks Down Hard-to-Degrade Plastic

Aspergillus niger

What they found

LDPE plastic exposed to Aspergillus niger lost 40% of its weight in 20 days.

LDPE plastic exposed to Aspergillus niger lost 40% of its weight in 20 days.

The number

lost 40% of its weight

How solid is it?

Lab dish

Lab dish

In vitro (lab dish)

In vitro (lab dish)

Evidence ladder: Lab dish → Animal → Early human → Strong human. Reviews summarize earlier research.

At a glance

Latin name

Aspergillus niger

Aspergillus niger

Published in

Research Square

Research Square

Covered in Shroom Scan

Section

ECOLOGY & CONSERVATION

ECOLOGY & CONSERVATION

As it ran in Shroom Scan

Tackling Plastic Pollution

Tackling Plastic Pollution

Researchers found that fungi like Aspergillus niger can break down low-density polyethylene (LDPE), a common and hard-to-degrade plastic. Over 20 days, LDPE exposed to fungi in a special broth lost 40% of its weight, with surface cracks and chemical changes confirmed through advanced imaging. This method could help tackle plastic pollution sustainably​

Researchers found that fungi like Aspergillus niger can break down low-density polyethylene (LDPE), a common and hard-to-degrade plastic. Over 20 days, LDPE exposed to fungi in a special broth lost 40% of its weight, with surface cracks and chemical changes confirmed through advanced imaging. This method could help tackle plastic pollution sustainably​

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