Abstract

Fungi can be used to remove or break down contaminating compounds through a mycoremediation process. Sometimes even more efficiently than prokaryotes, so they can be used to reduce contamination from non-biodegradable polymers. Cellulose acetate is a plastic normally used in the manufacture of cigarettes, so when it is discarded it generates pollution. The Pleurotus ostreatus fungus has the ability to degrade cellulose acetate through the enzymes it secretes. The enzyme is responsible for hydrolyzing the acetyl group of cellulose acetate while cellulolytic enzymes break down the cellulose skeleton into sugars, polysaccharides or cellobiose. In addition to cellulose acetate, this fungus is capable of breaking down other conventionally non-biodegradable polymers, so it has the potential to be used to reduce pollution. Large-scale cultivation of the fungus has proven to be more economically viable than conventional non-biodegradable polymer treatment methods, which is an additional advantage it presents.

Keywords Fungi; biodegradable; acetylesterase; plastic; cigarette butts