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Resilience of anaerobic digestion to polypropylene microplastic contamination: Kinetic and structural evidence

Napapat Sitthikitpanya1,2, Alissara Reungsang1,2,3

  • 1Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Technology, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand.

Plos One
|April 3, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Polypropylene microplastics (PP-MPs) in food waste do not inhibit methane production during anaerobic digestion (AD). This study found no significant impact on biogas yields, offering assurance for waste-to-energy processes.

Area of Science:

  • Environmental Science
  • Biotechnology
  • Waste Management

Background:

  • Microplastic (MP) contamination in organic waste streams is a growing environmental concern.
  • Anaerobic digestion (AD) is a key process for organic waste treatment and biogas production.
  • The impact of polypropylene MPs (PP-MPs) on AD efficiency is not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effect of varying concentrations of PP-MPs on methane production during the AD of food waste.
  • To assess the potential inhibition of AD processes by PP-MPs.
  • To analyze the physical and chemical changes in PP-MPs after AD.

Main Methods:

  • Batch anaerobic digestion experiments were conducted for 150 days.
  • PP-MPs were added to food waste at concentrations ranging from 10 to 300 mg g-1 total solids (TS).
  • Methane yields were measured, and kinetic modeling was applied. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used for MP analysis.

Main Results:

  • Methane yields were not significantly different between treatments with PP-MPs and the control group (p = 0.634).
  • Kinetic modeling showed no consistent inhibitory trends in AD performance due to PP-MPs.
  • FTIR and SEM analyses revealed minor surface oxidation and cracking on PP-MPs, indicating superficial aging without compromising the polymer structure.

Conclusions:

  • Polypropylene microplastics do not significantly impair methane production or the overall performance of anaerobic digestion in food waste.
  • While AD systems show resilience to PP-MP contamination, the persistence and potential fragmentation of MPs remain environmental concerns.
  • Further strategies are needed to mitigate secondary microplastic formation during biogas production from contaminated waste streams.

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