Microbial Depolymerization of Epoxy Resins: A Novel Approach to a Complex Challenge

The objective of this project is evaluating the potential of microbes (fungi and bacteria) for the depolymerization of epoxy, aiming at the development of a circular management of natural resources for epoxy in a long-term prospective. For depolymerization, epoxy samples were incubated for 1, 3, 6 and 9 months in soil microcosms inoculated with Ganoderma adspersum. Contact angle data revealed a reduction in the hydrophobicity induced by the fungus. Environmental scanning electron microscopy on epoxy samples incubated for more than 3 years in microbiological water revealed abundant microbiota. This comprised microbes of different sizes and shapes. The fungi Trichoderma harzianum and Aspergillus calidoustus, as well as the bacteria Variovorax sp. and Methyloversatilis discipulorum, were isolated from this environment. Altogether, these results suggest that microbes are able to colonize epoxy surfaces and, most probably, also partially depolymerize them. This could open promising opportunities for the study of new metabolisms potentially able depolymerize epoxy materials.

Automated summary

The objective of this project is to evaluate the potential of fungi and bacteria for depolymerizing epoxy, with the aim of developing a sustainable management of natural resources for epoxy. Results show that microbes can colonize epoxy surfaces and partially depolymerize them, suggesting promising opportunities for the study of new metabolisms capable of depolymerizing epoxy materials.