Microbial synergism in a synthetic consortium enabled efficient polyethylene biodegradation

The accumulation of polyethylene (PE) mulch films in agricultural soils represents a persistent environmental challenge. This study aimed to construct and evaluate efficient microbial consortia for PE biodegradation and to elucidate the mechanisms underlying their synergistic interactions. Three bacterial strains—Ensifer sp. YF2, Sphingobacterium sp. Y2, and Chryseobacterium sp. MF1—were isolated from plastic-contaminated soils. A dual-strain consortium (YF2 +Y2) demonstrated enhanced degradation compared to individual strains and the three-strain combination, indicating that functional compatibility rather than taxonomic richness drives consortium performance. The consortium utilized PE as the sole carbon source, inducing oxidative modifications and physical erosion of the polymer surface. Genomic analysis revealed a complementary enzymatic repertoire: YF2, encoding key oxidases (LadA, AlkB, CYP450), served as the primary degrader for backbone cleavage, while Y2, enriched with esterases and lipases, facilitated intermediate metabolism through cross-feeding. This synergistic interaction provides the basis for a conceptual model of PE biodegradation by synthetic communities. These findings offer both functional microbial resources and a strategic framework for developing plastic bioremediation solutions.