Assimilation of synthetic plastic nanoparticles by the oomycete Pythium aquatile

Abstract. The degradation of synthetic plastics in the environment proceeds through stages micro- and nanoparticles. Freshwater fungi fungus-like organisms are key decomposers organic material. most (including oomycetes) feed by osmotrophy, which involves release exoenzymes into to break down complex biological polymers, followed cellular uptake simplified monomers. This article aims cultivate oomycete Pythium aquatile H hnk, 1953 presence plastic nanoparticles as an only source carbon compounds. were bulk stained with water-insoluble fluorescent dye. We studied such widely used polymers polystyrene (PS), poly(vinyl chloride), poly(methyl acrylate) (PMA) methacrylate) (PMMA). first experiment on exposure hyphae showed ability these capture particles a certain type endocytosis. fate nanoplastics P. depends chemical structure polymer. PMMA quaternary atom is stable, PMA PS containing active -CH rapidly destroyed oomycetes.