ArticleMicrobial cell factories2026
A novel bacterial consortium isolated from long-term plastic-contaminated soil exhibits efficient biodegradation of polyvinyl chloride microplastics.
Article in Microbial cell factories, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
2 citing papers in PubMed.
- Characterization and GC-MS-Based Identification of Possible PVC Degradation Pathways of Bacteria for Sustainable Microplastic Bioremediation.Microorganisms · 2026Article
- Polystyrene microplastic stress induces adaptive responses and functional remodeling of gastrointestinal microbiota in fattening lambs.Frontiers in microbiology · 2026Article
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
5 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundPolyvinyl chloride (PVC) is one of the most widely used synthetic polymers globally, and its continuous accumulation in natural ecosystems has emerged as a critical environmental and public health concern. Recently, microbial degradation has been recognized as an efficient and eco-friendly strategy for mitigating plastic pollution. Despite increasing interest, knowledge of bacteria capable of efficiently degrading PVC microplastics (PVC-MPs) remains limited. This gap highlights the urgency of exploring novel bacterial candidates for effective PVC biodegradation. METHODOLOGY: In this study, soil samples collected from plastic-contaminated sites were utilized to isolate PVC-degrading bacteria using enrichment culture techniques. Bacterial isolates showing potential interaction with PVC were selected and molecularly identified. In addition, their efficacy in degrading PVC-MPs was further confirmed through a combination of analytical and spectroscopic techniques, including scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS).
resultsThe two isolates identified as Stutzerimonas sp. NH2 and Glutamicibacter nicotinae NH27 displayed markedly different PVC biodegradation efficiencies. Strain NH2 achieved a PVC-MPs weight loss of 23.41 ± 0.93%, whereas strain NH27 exhibited a lower degradation efficiency of 5.87 ± 2.16%. Notably, the consortium composed of both strains in equal volumes resulted in a greater PVC-MPs weight loss of 26.84 ± 0.94%, representing a significant increase in PVC-MPs degradation compared with each strain alone (p < 0.05). SEM analysis revealed pronounced morphological alterations on PVC surfaces following bacterial exposure, including cracks, fissures, and grooves. FTIR spectra demonstrated a substantial reduction in the intensities of some functional groups, which could be attributed to PVC degradation. TGA analysis showed a measurable decline in thermal stability, further suggesting chemical structural modifications due to bacterial activity. Additionally, GC-MS analysis detected potential degradation products, providing clear chemical evidence of bacterial-driven PVC degradation.
conclusionThis study reports, for the first time, the potential involvement of Stutzerimonas sp. NH2 and Glutamicibacter nicotinae NH27 in the transformation of PVC microplastics. The findings also provide initial insights into the combined activity of these two strains on PVC-MPs, supported by multiple physicochemical analyses. These results contribute to the growing understanding of microbial interactions with PVC microplastics and highlight the potential of these bacteria for future bioremediation studies.
Indexed as
Identifiers
What OpenQuestion holds
Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.