China Plastics ›› 2022, Vol. 36 ›› Issue (3): 120-126.DOI: 10.19491/j.issn.1001-9278.2022.03.019

• Plastic and Environment • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Microbial degradation of polyethylene plastics

LIU Qiang1,2, LU Yahong1,2, WU Hui1,2, MA Yuhao1,2, ZHANG Yupeng1,2, SUN Wenxiao1,2, ZHANG Hong1,2()   

  1. 1.School of Chemical Engineering,Northwest Minzu University,Lanzhou 730030,China
    2.Key Laboratory of Environment?Friendly Composite Materials of the State Ethnic Affairs Commission,Lanzhou 730030,China
  • Received:2021-11-09 Online:2022-03-26 Published:2022-03-25

Abstract:

This paper reviewed the recent research progress in the microbial degradation of polyethylene (PE), which mainly included the microorganisms involved in biodegradation and the characterization methods used in the experiment. Many studies indicated that it was impossible to compare the degradation efficiency of various types of degrading bacteria due to the different types of PE used and the misuse of characterization methods. Finally, the paper proposed the methodologies for the improvement and supplement of the experimental process of PE biodegradation, which provided a reference for the further study of polyethylene biodegradation, especially for the definition of high efficiency of degrading bacteria.

Key words: polyethylene, microbe, degradation, characterization method

CLC Number: