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대학/대학원
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연구/산학
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대학생활
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입학/취업
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커뮤니티
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대학소개
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개교 80주년
커뮤니티
교수동정
- 국립 부경대학교 교수님들의 자랑스러운 소식입니다.
| Plastic-Biotransforming Microorganisms Discovered from Styrofoam Buoy Debris on the Busan Coast | |||
| 작성자 | 대외홍보센터 | 작성일 | 2026-07-10 |
| 조회수 | 0 | ||
| Plastic-Biotransforming Microorganisms Discovered from Styrofoam Buoy Debris on the Busan Coast | |||||
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대외홍보센터 |  |
2026-07-10 |  |
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Pukyong National University research team identifies oxidative biotransformation of polystyrene by EPS buoy debris-derived microorganisms
- Three Paenibacillus strains isolated from EPS buoy debris collected from the Busan coast
- Oxidation, increased wettability, and structural changes in polystyrene confirmed through multi-analytical approaches
- Study published in the international journal Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology
A research team led by Professor Jong-Hoon Kim of the Department of Biotechnology at Pukyong National University has isolated microorganisms from discarded styrofoam buoy debris collected along the Busan coast and identified their potential role in the biotransformation of polystyrene plastics.
The research team investigated microorganisms inhabiting the surface of weathered expanded polystyrene (EPS) buoy debris collected from the Busan coast and isolated three Paenibacillusstrains, designated BS8-1, BS8-2, and BS11. EPS is widely used in aquaculture buoys and packaging materials due to its light weight and buoyancy, but once released into the marine environment, it can easily fragment and become a major source of microplastics.
In this study, the isolated strains were incubated with polystyrene (PS) films for 30 days. The resulting changes were comprehensively analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), water contact angle analysis, thermal analysis, attenuated total reflectance Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (¹H NMR), gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), whole-genome sequencing, and transcriptomic profiling.
The results showed that all three strains attached to PS films and formed biofilm-like structures. Even after washing, the treated films exhibited surface roughening, pitting, and erosion-like features. Among the three strains, BS8-2 showed the most pronounced changes, including the highest apparent mass loss. In addition, the water contact angle of the PS films decreased after bacterial treatment, while oxygen-associated signals and oxidation-related chemical changes increased, indicating that the plastic surface became more hydrophilic and oxidized.
Through whole-genome and transcriptome analyses, the team further confirmed that strain BS8-2 possesses functional traits associated with redox reactions, aromatic-compound processing, transport systems, and cellular adaptation. These findings suggest that the plastisphere, the microbial community formed on marine plastic surfaces, may actively participate in the environmental transformation of plastic materials.
Rather than claiming complete degradation or mineralization of plastic, this study provides multi-layered evidence that microorganisms inhabiting coastal EPS buoy debris can induce oxidative biotransformation and partial chemical modification of polystyrene. The findings are significant because they show that marine plastics are not only physically fragmented in the environment, but may also undergo chemical changes through interactions with microorganisms.
Professor Jong-Hoon Kim said, “This study shows that coastal EPS buoy debris can serve not only as a source of microplastics, but also as a biological interface where microorganisms and plastic materials interact. By further tracing the origin, environmental fate, and ecotoxicity of plastic transformation products, this research is expected to contribute to risk assessment and management strategies for marine plastic pollution.”
The study was published in the international journal Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicologyunder the title “Oxidative surface biodeterioration of polystyrene by plastisphere-derived Paenibacillusstrains from weathered EPS buoy debris.” The journal has an Impact Factor of 12.3and ranks in the top 2.4% in Toxicologyand top 4.4% in Environmental Sciencesaccording to JCR. This work was supported by the National Institute of Biological Resources under the Ministry of Environment. <Pukyong Today>
