NEW Publication: Biodegradable Straws and Marine Microbes

September 3, 2025

Dr. Jose Lopez

Biodegradable Straws and Marine Microbes

Plastic straws are a major contributor to marine pollution, with over 8.3 billion littering beaches worldwide. In a new study, researchers from NSU's Molecular Microbiology & Genomics Laboratory, in collaboration with the Broward Reef Discovery Center, investigated the degradation of Phade drinking straws made from biodegradable polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA)—one of the few biopolymers that naturally breaks down in marine environments.

The research, published in the Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering, is the first to biophysically characterize the degradation of a 3D PHA object. Over a 15-week period, scientists analyzed microbial activity and mass loss of the straws, identifying key bacteria like Anderseniella, Labrenzia, and Limibaculum that facilitate breakdown. Advanced modeling and scanning electron microscopy revealed how straw geometry and microbial colonization influence degradation rates.

Members of the research team have also been exploring alternative uses for the a PHA straws - including “Coral Forts” that can protect corals from predators, dramatically improving survival rates and aiding reef restoration efforts.