Fig. 5

The performance of the CNB-1 derived whole-cell biocatalyst in PET microplastic degradation. A The growth curve of CNB-1B using TPA, EG, and BHET as the sole carbon sources. The cell density was measured for TPA and EG, as these compounds are easily utilized by CNB-1B. For BHET, the colony-forming units (CFU) was counted. B The degradation of PET microplastics by CNB-1B, 100 mg of PET microplastics was incubated with CNB-1B in MSM + 5% LB (v/v) as a carbon source. For blank control, no carbon source was added. The incubation took place at 30 °C for 7 days