Isolation of potential polyurethane-degrading microorganisms from landfill soil and determination of their degradation mechanisms

This research focuses on finding microbes that can potentially degrade polyurethane (PU), a type of plastic generally found in everyday items like cushions, foam scrubs, and mattresses. We isolated and analysed microbes from Australian landfill soil using microbiology, surface characterization, and analytical chemistry techniques; some of these microbes showed remarkable PU biodegradation capabilities. Our research findings also propose a multi-stage model of the polyester PU biodegradation process by these microbes. The results are encouraging and offer hope for tackling the pressing global issue of plastic pollution, which is one of the most significant and persistent environmental challenges of our time.