首页|Biodegradation of cellulose-based water-soluble polymers through interactions with wastewater bacteria

Biodegradation of cellulose-based water-soluble polymers through interactions with wastewater bacteria

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  • NETL
  • NSTL
  • Elsevier
Water-soluble cellulose derivatives are widely used across personal care, agriculture and manufacturing applications. Despite their extensive usage, the environmental fate of the cellulose-based water-soluble polymers (WSPs) is not fully understood. Understanding how these polymers interact with bacterial communities in wastewater is crucial to assessing their end-of-life impact on the environment. This study examines the bidirectional influences of three high molecular weight cellulose-based WSPs, containing cationic, non-ionic and anionic modifications, with the microbial consortium PolySeed, which is made up of microorganisms representative of activated sewage. Specifically, we investigated polymer sorption on bacterial cells, cell responses such as growth and cellulase enzyme secretion, and the resulting polymer degradation. Our results reveal a strong correlation between the function of secreted enzyme and degree of WSP degradation. Notably, the cationic polymer exhibited strong sorption on bacterial cells, leading to aggregate formation, reduced enzyme activity, and hindered degradation. In contrast, non-ionic and anionic polymers demonstrated moderate sorption on bacterial cells, resulting in higher enzyme activity and enhanced degradation. This research highlights the need to investigate bi-directional interactions between WSPs and bacterial cells to gain critical insights into their fates in wastewater and natural water environments. These findings may inform targeted strategies for reducing the environmental impact of WSPs and enhancing remediation of WSP waste.

CelluloseBiodegradationWater soluble polymersCellulose derivativesCMC, HEC, HPTC

Praneetha Pulyala、Meng Jing、Wenshiue Young、Kathleen Michels、Wei Gao、Xuanhong Cheng

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Department of Bioengineering, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA 18015, USA

Analytical Science, Core R&D, The Dow Chemical Company, 400 Arcola Road, Collegeville, PA 19426, USA

Department of Bioengineering, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA 18015, USA||Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA 18015, USA

2025

10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2025.111378

Polymer degradation and stability

Polymer degradation and stability

SCI
ISSN：0141-3910
年,卷(期)：2025.239(Sep.)
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