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Microbiology Research
Volume 15
Issue 4
10.3390/microbiolres15040139
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Article

Microbial Consortia in the Remediation of Single-Use Waste: The Case of Face Masks

by
María del Refugio Castañeda Chávez
,
Luz María Campos García
,
Christian Reyes Velázquez
,
Fabiola Lango Reynoso
,
David Reynier Valdés
,
Isabel Araceli Amaro Espejo
and
Gabycarmen Navarrete Rodríguez
*
Tecnológico Nacional de México/Instituto Tecnológico de Boca del Río. Km. 12 Carretera Veracruz-Córdoba, Boca del Río CP 94290, Ver, Mexico
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Microbiol. Res. 2024, 15(4), 2070-2084; https://doi.org/10.3390/microbiolres15040139
Submission received: 27 August 2024 / Revised: 30 September 2024 / Accepted: 3 October 2024 / Published: 7 October 2024
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Abstract

This study presents the results of evaluating hydrocarbonoclastic consortia in the biodegradation of microplastics derived from single-use, triple-layered polypropylene face masks. The choice of this carbon source was driven by the need to address the increase in single-use waste generated during the recent SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, as the use of face masks was a mandatory protective measure. Two bubble column bioreactors were used, each containing hydrocarbonoclastic consortia sourced from the Port of Veracruz and the Gulf of Mexico. The biodegradation activity of these consortia was assessed by observing the physical appearance of microplastic samples under a stereoscope and a microscope, as well as by calculating the weight loss of polypropylene after 15 days. The results revealed that the consortium from the Gulf of Mexico, with a maturity of 1 year, showed a higher capacity for polypropylene biodegradation, achieving a 19.98% degradation rate. This consortium also demonstrated more stable kinetics during the experimentation period. In contrast, the younger consortium from the Port of Veracruz exhibited a lower biodegradation rate of 3.77% and variable growth kinetics. Hydrocarbonoclastic bacteria identified within the consortia included Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterococcus faecalis, and Vibrio parahaemolyticus, among others. The hydrocarbonoclastic consortia have the potential to biodegrade from various forms of plastic waste, including single-use face masks.
Keywords: consortium; hydrocarbonoclastic; biodegradation; kinetics consortium; hydrocarbonoclastic; biodegradation; kinetics

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MDPI and ACS Style

Castañeda Chávez, M.d.R.; Campos García, L.M.; Reyes Velázquez, C.; Lango Reynoso, F.; Reynier Valdés, D.; Amaro Espejo, I.A.; Navarrete Rodríguez, G. Microbial Consortia in the Remediation of Single-Use Waste: The Case of Face Masks. Microbiol. Res. 2024, 15, 2070-2084. https://doi.org/10.3390/microbiolres15040139

AMA Style

Castañeda Chávez MdR, Campos García LM, Reyes Velázquez C, Lango Reynoso F, Reynier Valdés D, Amaro Espejo IA, Navarrete Rodríguez G. Microbial Consortia in the Remediation of Single-Use Waste: The Case of Face Masks. Microbiology Research. 2024; 15(4):2070-2084. https://doi.org/10.3390/microbiolres15040139

Chicago/Turabian Style

Castañeda Chávez, María del Refugio, Luz María Campos García, Christian Reyes Velázquez, Fabiola Lango Reynoso, David Reynier Valdés, Isabel Araceli Amaro Espejo, and Gabycarmen Navarrete Rodríguez. 2024. "Microbial Consortia in the Remediation of Single-Use Waste: The Case of Face Masks" Microbiology Research 15, no. 4: 2070-2084. https://doi.org/10.3390/microbiolres15040139

APA Style

Castañeda Chávez, M. d. R., Campos García, L. M., Reyes Velázquez, C., Lango Reynoso, F., Reynier Valdés, D., Amaro Espejo, I. A., & Navarrete Rodríguez, G. (2024). Microbial Consortia in the Remediation of Single-Use Waste: The Case of Face Masks. Microbiology Research, 15(4), 2070-2084. https://doi.org/10.3390/microbiolres15040139

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