Fungi That Eat Plastic Contaminants: Penicillium hetheringtonii Shows 78% Melamine Biodegradation Efficiency

Researchers uncover fungal solution for toxic melamine pollution

A groundbreaking study published in Archives of Microbiology (2025) reveals that two fungal strains—Penicillium hetheringtonii AJ6 and Fusarium sp. MDF3—can biologically degrade melamine, a nitrogen-rich industrial contaminant linked to kidney damage and food safety crises.

The research at Vellore Institute of Technology explored how these fungi tolerate and transform melamine into less harmful compounds. Using enrichment techniques, the team isolated both strains from contaminated soil and assessed their ability to survive and degrade melamine in laboratory conditions.

Results showed that P. hetheringtonii AJ6 achieved an impressive 78% degradation of melamine (from 14 mg/L to 3.08 mg/L in 8 days), while Fusarium sp. MDF3 achieved 32% degradation. Analytical studies confirmed the breakdown of melamine into 2-Propen-1-ol and 5-methyl-2-hexanone, indicating active transformation pathways. Kinetic modeling revealed that P. hetheringtonii followed a zero-order degradation model, suggesting a steady enzymatic breakdown rate independent of concentration.

The study also highlighted the key role of the laccase enzyme, a copper-containing oxidoreductase, in initiating melamine degradation. These findings open doors to eco-friendly fungal bioremediation for detoxifying contaminated soil and wastewater.

Penicillium hetheringtonii AJ6 emerges as a potential bioagent for melamine cleanup, providing a sustainable and cost-effective approach to mitigate industrial pollution.

With rising global melamine production and frequent contamination incidents, fungal bioremediation presents a safe and scalable alternative to conventional chemical treatment methods.

Reference

Kwatra, N., & Abraham, J. (2025). Comparative evaluation of 1,3,5-triazine-2,4,6-triamine biodegradation by Penicillium hetheringtonii and Fusarium sp. Archives of Microbiology, 207(12), 320. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00203-025-04525-7