MUMBAI, India, March 13 -- Intellectual Property India has published a patent application (202641024958 A) filed by Dr. M. Chamundeeswari; and Ms. Mohanapriya P, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, on March 3, for 'sustainable agro nanobiotechnological system for accelerated degradation of disposable masks using stutzerimonas stutzeri with iron nanoparticles as micronutrient.'
Inventor(s) include Dr. M. Chamundeeswari; and Ms. Mohanapriya P.
The application for the patent was published on March 13, under issue no. 11/2026.
According to the abstract released by the Intellectual Property India: "The large-scale disposal of Polypropylene (PP)-based face masks following the COVID-19 pandemic has generated a persistent environmental burden due to their resistance to natural degradation and contribution to secondary microplastic pollution. The present study explores an integrated bio-nano strategy for the sustainable treatment of disposable masks using Stutzerimonas stutzeri in combination with iron nanoparticles (FeNPs) green-synthesized from Sesbania bispinosa extract. Phytogenic FeNPs were fabricated via an eco-friendly reduction process and characterized using standard physicochemical techniques to confirm their morphology, crystalline nature, and surface functional groups. The bio-nano system was evaluated for its ability to enhance degradation of PP mask fiber under controlled conditions. The presence of FeNPs significantly improved microbial colonization, surface oxidation, and catalytic breakdown of polymer chains, leading to structural deterioration evidenced by weight loss, surface cracking (SEM), and changes in functional groups (FT-IR). The synergistic interaction between S. stutzeri and phytogenic FeNPs facilitated improved electron transfer and oxidative stress-mediated depolymerization, accelerating mask degradation compared to biological treatment. This study demonstrates a sustainable, plant-mediated nano-biotechnological approach for mitigating pandemic-related plastic waste and provides a promising framework for scalable environmental remediation of synthetic polymer contaminants."
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