Biofilm-mediated biodeterioration of LDPE strips by an Adriatic sea Vibrio parahaemolyticus strain
- 1Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell’Umbria e delle Marche
- 2Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e dell’Ambiente, Università Politecnica delle Marche
Abstract
The natural degradation of macroplastics (MAPs), particularly polyethylene (PE), takes a long time and can lead to the persistence of microplastics (MPs) in the marine environment. In recent years, research has focused on alternative methods to traditional ones for plastic degradation, particularly biodegradation through microbial activity. This study aims to investigate the biofilm formation dynamics of a V. parahaemolyticus strain on low-density polyethylene (LDPE) strips and the resulting physicochemical alterations induced in the polymer over an 80-day laboratory incubation period. This strain named VPDOP1 was isolated through a targeted in situ colonization experiment on PE macroplastics in the Adriatic Sea. VPDOP1 strain was identified using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) and whole-genome sequencing (WGS). Its biodegradation potential was preliminarily assessed using the clear-zone method in a culture medium containing LDPE powder as the sole carbon source. Subsequently, VPDOP1’s ability to form biofilms and the morphological changes on the LDPE strips were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) after 40 and 80 days of incubation, while simultaneously assessing weight loss and chemical changes via Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Finally, VPDOP1’s ability to produce hydrolytic enzymes such as amylase, gelatinase, and lipase was determined using a plate assay. The VPDOP1 strain produced lysis halos using the clear-zone method. After 40 and 80 days of incubation at 25 °C, a weight loss of 5.5 and 7.6%, respectively, was observed in the LDPE strips compared to the control. At the same time, SEM and FTIR analyses revealed morphological and chemical changes. VPDOP1 exhibited amylase, gelatinase, and lipase activity. This study provides timely and relevant evidence that a marine-derived V. parahaemolyticus strain can form biofilms on LDPE strips and induce measurable surface biodeterioration under laboratory conditions highlighting its promise for future studies on its potential to fully biodegrade marine plastic debris.
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BibTeX
@article{lullo2026biofilmmediated,
title = {{Biofilm-mediated biodeterioration of LDPE strips by an Adriatic sea Vibrio parahaemolyticus strain}},
author = {Stefania Di Lullo and Silvia Pieralisi and Elena Rocchegiani and Francesca Leoni and Francesca Barchiesi and Gabriele Angelico and Elisabetta Manuali and Annalisa Petruzzelli and Claudia Gabucci and Sara Nardi and Giulia Talevi and Lucia Pittura and Donatella Ottaviani},
journal = {Frontiers in Microbiology},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3389/fmicb.2026.1963993},
url = {https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2026.1963993/full},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Biofilm-mediated biodeterioration of LDPE strips by an Adriatic sea Vibrio parahaemolyticus strain
AU - Stefania Di Lullo
AU - Silvia Pieralisi
AU - Elena Rocchegiani
AU - Francesca Leoni
AU - Francesca Barchiesi
AU - Gabriele Angelico
AU - Elisabetta Manuali
AU - Annalisa Petruzzelli
AU - Claudia Gabucci
AU - Sara Nardi
AU - Giulia Talevi
AU - Lucia Pittura
AU - Donatella Ottaviani
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/27
JO - Frontiers in Microbiology
DO - 10.3389/fmicb.2026.1963993
UR - https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2026.1963993/full
AB - The natural degradation of macroplastics (MAPs), particularly polyethylene (PE), takes a long time and can lead to the persistence of microplastics (MPs) in the marine environment. In recent years, research has focused on alternative methods to traditional ones for plastic degradation, particularly biodegradation through microbial activity. This study aims to investigate the biofilm formation dynamics of a V. parahaemolyticus strain on low-density polyethylene (LDPE) strips and the resulting physicochemical alterations induced in the polymer over an 80-day laboratory incubation period. This strain named VPDOP1 was isolated through a targeted in situ colonization experiment on PE macroplastics in the Adriatic Sea. VPDOP1 strain was identified using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) and whole-genome sequencing (WGS). Its biodegradation potential was preliminarily assessed using the clear-zone method in a culture medium containing LDPE powder as the sole carbon source. Subsequently, VPDOP1’s ability to form biofilms and the morphological changes on the LDPE strips were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) after 40 and 80 days of incubation, while simultaneously assessing weight loss and chemical changes via Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Finally, VPDOP1’s ability to produce hydrolytic enzymes such as amylase, gelatinase, and lipase was determined using a plate assay. The VPDOP1 strain produced lysis halos using the clear-zone method. After 40 and 80 days of incubation at 25 °C, a weight loss of 5.5 and 7.6%, respectively, was observed in the LDPE strips compared to the control. At the same time, SEM and FTIR analyses revealed morphological and chemical changes. VPDOP1 exhibited amylase, gelatinase, and lipase activity. This study provides timely and relevant evidence that a marine-derived V. parahaemolyticus strain can form biofilms on LDPE strips and induce measurable surface biodeterioration under laboratory conditions highlighting its promise for future studies on its potential to fully biodegrade marine plastic debris.
SN - 1664-302X
ER -