Management of inorganic and organic waste through biodegradation and polymer blend formulations

• Grant number: 24/08058-2
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Start date: October 01, 2024
• Status: Discontinued
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Materials and Metallurgical Engineering
• Principal Investigator: Michel Brienzo
• Grantee: Mateus Manabu Abe
• Host Institution: Instituto de Pesquisa em Bioenergia (IPBEN). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Rio Claro. Rio Claro , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 17/22401-8 - Fruit-refinery: obtention processes, characterization methods and generation of products derived from residues of the fruitculture, AP.TEM
• Associated scholarship(s): 24/21501-2 - Biodegradation of low-density polyethylene: Use of 13C-PE for confirmation and quantification of mineralization, BE.EP.DR

Abstract

Plastic is accumulating in different ecosystems, with negative environmental and economic impacts. The concern about inadequate management and alternatives for mitigating plastic waste has grown and encouraged bioremediation studies. Although the use of fungi and bacteria is considered an eco-friendly approach in the remediation of plastic debris, the results of biodegradation efficiency may still be improved. Prospecting studies for thermophilic microorganisms and thermostable enzymes represent a potential in the literature, which together with the effects of photo and thermodegradation, can optimize the rate of plastic biodegradation (e.g., polyethylene). The elaboration of polymeric polyolefins/polysaccharide blends is another strategy to reduce the volume of synthetic polymers and increase the biodegradation of plastics. Therefore, the present study proposal involves the prospecting of thermophilic microorganisms and thermostable enzymes with the potential to (bio)degrade the low-density polyethylene (LDPE, due to its wide uses). The main objective of the project proposal involves the biodegradation of polyethylene and the reduction of synthetic polymers by polymer blends. Blends of polyethylene will be elaborated with xylan/lignin extracted from fruit peel waste (attending Fapesp Thematic Project 2017/22401-8). Therefore, the entire study proposal encompasses one of the most current concerns in the area of bioremediation, in addition to the clear innovation character and mitigation of a huge environmental problem.