Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Environmental Applications of Microorganisms01:30

Environmental Applications of Microorganisms

543
Microorganisms play a pivotal role in maintaining ecosystem balance by recycling essential elements such as carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus, as well as supporting processes like bioremediation, wastewater treatment, and biofuel production.Microbes in Elemental CyclesIn the carbon cycle, microorganisms decompose organic matter, releasing carbon dioxide via aerobic respiration. This carbon dioxide is subsequently used by photosynthetic organisms to synthesize organic compounds, closing the...
543
Bioremediation00:46

Bioremediation

21.5K
Bioremediation is the use of prokaryotes, fungi, or plants to remove pollutants from the environment. This process has been used to remove harmful toxins in groundwater as a byproduct of agricultural run-off and also to clean up oil spills.
21.5K
Types of Step-Growth Polymers: Polyesters01:20

Types of Step-Growth Polymers: Polyesters

2.4K
The introduction of polyesters has brought major development to the textile industry. The wrinkle-free behavior of polyester blends has eliminated the need for starching and ironing clothes.
Polyesters are commonly prepared from terephthalic acid and ethylene glycol; the crude product is known as poly(ethylene terephthalate) or PET. However, polyesters are synthesized industrially by transesterification of dimethyl terephthalate with ethylene glycol at 150 °C. The two reactants and the polymer...
2.4K
Biofilms01:29

Biofilms

569
Biofilms are complex communities of microorganisms encased in a self-produced extracellular polysaccharide matrix attached to surfaces. These microbial consortia can include single or multiple species, providing enhanced survival benefits by forming organized, multilayered structures.The formation of biofilms occurs through four key stages: attachment, colonization, development, and dispersal.During attachment, free-swimming planktonic cells adhere to a surface, often facilitated by...
569
Plastic Deformations01:19

Plastic Deformations

241
Plastic deformation represents a fundamental concept in materials science, which explains the irreversible change in the shape of a material when it experiences stress beyond its elastic capability. This phenomenon is important in structural engineering, especially in designing and analyzing cantilever beams—structures that are securely fixed at one end and bear loads at the opposite end. When these beams are subjected to loads within their elastic range, they will return to their...
241
Lipid Catabolism01:25

Lipid Catabolism

414
Triglycerides serve as crucial long-term energy storage molecules in microorganisms, providing a dense source of metabolic energy. Their breakdown is mediated by lipases, which hydrolyze triglycerides into glycerol and free fatty acids. Each of these components follows distinct metabolic pathways, ultimately contributing to ATP synthesis and cellular energy homeostasis.Glycerol MetabolismGlycerol, released from triglyceride hydrolysis, is phosphorylated by glycerol kinase to form...
414

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Effects of Hytallzen™ on Growth-Related Parameters in Growing Male Rats.

Nutrients·2026
Same author

Programmable memtransistor array with temporal dynamics modulation for efficient time-series data processing.

Nature communications·2026
Same author

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera)-Associated Liver Injury: A Scoping Review of Clinical Characteristics and Safety Considerations.

Cureus·2026
Same author

Racial and ethnic representation in systemic sclerosis clinical trials: a 25-year analysis of ClinicalTrials.gov (1999-2025).

EULAR rheumatology open·2026
Same author

Surface-Functionalized LLZO-Incorporated Multilayer Composite Solid Electrolytes for Dendrite Suppression and Efficient Ionic Conduction in Lithium-Metal Batteries.

Advanced materials (Deerfield Beach, Fla.)·2026
Same author

Urolithin A improves mitochondrial dysfunction induced by oxidative stress in human dermal papilla cells.

BMB reports·2026

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Nov 4, 2025

Isolation of Native Soil Microorganisms with Potential for Breaking Down Biodegradable Plastic Mulch Films Used in Agriculture
13:38

Isolation of Native Soil Microorganisms with Potential for Breaking Down Biodegradable Plastic Mulch Films Used in Agriculture

Published on: May 10, 2013

31.0K

Bridging Three Gaps in Biodegradable Plastics: Misconceptions and Truths About Biodegradation.

Shinhyeong Choe1, Yujin Kim1, Yejin Won2

  • 1Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, KAIST, Daejeon, South Korea.

Frontiers in Chemistry
|May 31, 2021
PubMed
Summary

Biodegradable plastics may not degrade as expected in natural settings. This review clarifies misconceptions about their biodegradation, comparing lab tests to real-world conditions for accurate environmental assessment.

Keywords:
biodegradable plasticsbiodegradable productsbiodegradationbioplasticsbiopolymermisconceptionsustainability

More Related Videos

Scalable Step-by-Step Approach of Sustainable Bioplastic Production from Food Waste
08:14

Scalable Step-by-Step Approach of Sustainable Bioplastic Production from Food Waste

Published on: July 18, 2025

600
Designed for Molecular Recycling: A Lignin-Derived Semi-aromatic Biobased Polymer
10:22

Designed for Molecular Recycling: A Lignin-Derived Semi-aromatic Biobased Polymer

Published on: November 30, 2020

3.7K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Nov 4, 2025

Isolation of Native Soil Microorganisms with Potential for Breaking Down Biodegradable Plastic Mulch Films Used in Agriculture
13:38

Isolation of Native Soil Microorganisms with Potential for Breaking Down Biodegradable Plastic Mulch Films Used in Agriculture

Published on: May 10, 2013

31.0K
Scalable Step-by-Step Approach of Sustainable Bioplastic Production from Food Waste
08:14

Scalable Step-by-Step Approach of Sustainable Bioplastic Production from Food Waste

Published on: July 18, 2025

600
Designed for Molecular Recycling: A Lignin-Derived Semi-aromatic Biobased Polymer
10:22

Designed for Molecular Recycling: A Lignin-Derived Semi-aromatic Biobased Polymer

Published on: November 30, 2020

3.7K

Area of Science:

  • Polymer Science
  • Environmental Science
  • Microbiology

Background:

  • Plastic pollution is a growing global concern, driving demand for biodegradable plastics.
  • Biodegradable plastics are marketed as sustainable alternatives, but their environmental fate is complex.
  • Factors like material structure, environment, and microbes influence plastic biodegradation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To address discrepancies in reported biodegradation levels of plastics.
  • To highlight differences between laboratory and natural biodegradation conditions.
  • To reconcile public perception with the actual environmental impact of biodegradable products.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review and critical analysis of existing studies on biodegradable plastics.
  • Comparison of controlled laboratory biodegradation tests with real-world environmental conditions.
  • Identification and elucidation of common misconceptions regarding plastic biodegradation.

Main Results:

  • Laboratory biodegradation tests do not fully replicate natural environmental conditions.
  • Reported biodegradation levels vary significantly across different studies and environments.
  • Public perception of biodegradability often overestimates the actual environmental degradation rates.

Conclusions:

  • Biodegradable plastics may not perform as anticipated in natural environments.
  • Bridging the gap between lab data and real-world conditions is crucial for accurate assessment.
  • Clearer communication and realistic expectations are needed for the sustainable use of biodegradable plastics.