Study on the degradation efficiency and mechanism of polystyrene microplastics by five kinds of edible fungi.

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Citation abstract

The harm caused by microplastics to the environment and human body has become a hot issue, and screening for microorganisms that potentially degrade microplastics is urgently needed. This study is the first to use Auricularia auricula, Pleurotus ostreatus, Ganoderma lucidum, Pleurotus pulmonarius and Pleurotus cornucopiae to degrade PS-MPs. After 50 d of degradation, the average degradation rate was approximately 7.494 %, with the highest degradation rate of Pleurotus ostreatus being 16.17 ± 8.87 %. In addition, the ability of five edible fungi to degrade PS-MPs was confirmed through characterization methods such as scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Finally, for the first time, through the transcriptome and proteome, the genes Cluster-409.10597, Cluster-409.502, and Cluster-409.6781, along with other genes involved in the degradation of PS-MPs in Pleurotus ostreatus, were identified as Extradiol ring-cleavage dioxygenases, Acyl transferase/acyl hydrolase/lysophospholipase, and other enzymes. Additionally, the Ascorbate and Peroxisomes metabolic pathways, which play a role in aldarate metabolism, were also identified. This study is the first multiomic joint analysis of the degradation mechanism of Pleurotus ostreatus, laying a theoretical foundation for a more comprehensive understanding of the degradation of PS-MPs by edible fungi and broadening the directions for the application of edible fungal resources as engineered fungi.