Microbial Growth in the Presence of Nanoplastics

Level of Education of Students Involved

Undergraduate

Faculty Sponsor

Sara Dick

College

College of Arts & Sciences (CAS)

Discipline(s)

Biology

Presentation Type

Poster Presentation

Symposium Date

Spring 4-30-2026

Abstract

Microplastic pollution has become an increasing issue within our rapidly developing world, particularly concerning its potential effects on both environmental and ecological populations. Over the last two years, in collaboration with Dr. Sara Dick, we have been studying the effect of microplastics on microorganisms' growth. To take the experiment deeper, in collaboration with the Department of Chemistry’s faculty, Dr. Julie Peller and Dr. Christina Davis, we have used their dissolved nanoplastics to assess their effects on Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Candida albicans. The nanoplastics were dissolved in n-dodecane, so before any organisms were added, 200μL of n-dodecane and 200μL of TSB were combined to test for solubility. Once solubility was confirmed, S. aureus, E. coli, and C. albicans were grown separately and added into a solution of 50μL n-dodecane and 50μL of their TSB growth solution, and incubated at 27℃ for 7 days for the first trial. A second trial used 50μL of the nanoplastic dodecane solution, which was combined with 50μL of TSB with either S. aureus, E. coli, or C. albicans, 50μL of TSB with no organism, and incubated at 27℃ for 7 days before being tested in the plate reader. Growth was determined in the absence and presence of the plastics using a BMG LabTech plate reader. Future research will continue to explore the relationship between nanoplastics and their effect on microbial growth and the impacts that will have on our environments.

Biographical Information about Author(s)

Peter Cammarano is a fourth year Valparaiso University Biology major with a minor in Chemistry currently planning to attend Kansas City University College of Osteopathic Medicine in the summer of 2026. Jon Henderson is a fourth year Valparaiso University Biology major with a minor in Chemistry planning to attend a Master of Science in Anesthesia program. Dr. Sara Dick is an Associate Professor of Biology, teaching Microbiology. 

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