Can Fungi Solve Our Plastic Problem? New Promising Research to Replace and Break it Down.
- Marc Violo
- Apr 17
- 3 min read
Updated: Apr 18
As plastic pollution escalates, researchers are increasingly turning to fungi for answers. A growing body of evidence reveals that certain mushroom species don’t just survive in plastic-contaminated environments—they can actively degrade synthetic polymers. At the same time, fungal biopolymers are showing potential for replacing plastics altogether, opening new possibilities for biodegradable packaging.
Edible Fungi and Polystyrene Degradation
A recent study from the Chinese Academy of Sciences explored how five common edible mushrooms—Auricularia auricula, Pleurotus ostreatus, Ganoderma lucidum, Pleurotus pulmonarius, and Pleurotus cornucopiae—can digest polystyrene microplastics (PS-MPs). Grown for 50 days with PS-MPs as the sole carbon source, Pleurotus ostreatus demonstrated the highest degradation rate at 16.17%, confirmed through scanning electron microscopy and FTIR spectroscopy. This is the first study to conduct multi-omics analysis on edible fungi degrading polystyrene, identifying several key enzymes, including extradiol ring-cleavage dioxygenases and acyl hydrolases, that break down synthetic carbon chains.
This fungal degradation pathway mirrors earlier findings in marine ecosystems, where Parengyodontium album was shown to break down polyethylene after UV exposure, hinting at a broader ecological potential across both terrestrial and aquatic environments.
Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE) Gets Fungal Attention
Complementing this work, researchers at Sacred Heart College in India examined how Pleurotus ostreatus can biodegrade low-density polyethylene (LDPE), one of the most persistent plastic pollutants. The team embedded LDPE films into mushroom cultivation bags and found a 23% weight reduction after 30 days of fungal growth. FTIR analysis revealed changes in bonding structures, while XRD confirmed shifts in crystallinity, showing structural degradation of the plastic. The study attributed these effects to the secretion of laccases and peroxidases—enzymes capable of breaking down stubborn hydrocarbon backbones.
This enzymatic breakdown is being harnessed in real-world applications. One example is a new line of mycodigestible diapers developed by HIRO Technologies, which use fungal biochemistry to decompose polymers post-use.
From Degradation to Replacement: α-1,3-Glucan Films from Mushrooms
Instead of only breaking down plastics, mushrooms may also help replace them. A team of Polish researchers has developed a biodegradable film made from α-1,3-glucan extracted from Laetiporus sulphureus, commonly known as chicken-of-the-woods. The water-insoluble biopolymer shows impressive resistance to UV light and supports microbial colonisation and enzymatic breakdown by Trichoderma harzianum, Escherichia coli, and Bacillus subtilis. While the film's mechanical strength is still limited—its tensile strength is just 1.28 MPa—it offers a promising platform for future packaging and biomedical applications. Its water vapor permeability and UV-blocking capacity outperform many plant-based films.
A related strategy is the use of spent mushroom substrate, which can be reprocessed into antimicrobial and biodegradable packaging films, reducing both waste and material dependence.
Why It Matters
The global plastic production crossed 400 million tonnes in 2022, with more than a third destined for single-use applications. Biodegradation by fungi offers a low-energy, decentralised strategy to mitigate plastic pollution—particularly microplastics. At the same time, fungal-derived biopolymers like α-1,3-glucan may allow us to reduce our reliance on conventional plastics altogether. But challenges remain. Biodegradation rates are modest, and fungal biopolymer films need better mechanical performance to replace petrochemical plastics at scale.
Even so, the emerging science suggests a future where fungal materials do not just clean up after our plastic addiction—but help us move beyond it.
