Angie Marcela Pedraza Torres

Ms. Angie Marcela Pedraza Torres

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Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

5Years (2022-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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18 October 2022 in Agronomy
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
JTJosé Antonio Sáez Tovar
José Antonio Sáez Tovar
ATAngie Marcela Pedraza Torres
Angie Marcela Pedraza Torres
ZMZbigniew Emil Blesa Marco
Zbigniew Emil Blesa Marco
FRFco. Javier Andreu Rodríguez
Fco. Javier Andreu Rodríguez
FMFrutos Carlos Marhuenda-Egea
Frutos Carlos Marhuenda-Egea
RHRaul Moral Herrero
Raul Moral Herrero
Nowadays, plastic materials are extensively used in the agri-food sector for multiple purposes. The end-of-life management of these plastics is an environmental challenge because frequent incomplete recoveries after the crop seasons lead to the accumulation of plastics debris in agricultural waste, which is now recognized as an emerging environmental issue of global concern. However, the effects of plastic debris in agricultural waste undergoing biotreatment have been poorly studied. This study assesses the effects of agricultural plastic waste (APW) (LDPE + LLDPE and EPS) (1.25% f.w.) on the vermicomposting process (45 days) in terms of earthworm health by measuring biomarker responses and the enzymatic activity and quality/stabilization of the vermicompost obtained. The results showed that exposure to all the plastic materials tested had negative morphological effects on earthworm survival and body biomass. In the vermicomposting process, the changes detected in the enzymatic activity of the vermicompost and the biofilm seemed to affect the degradation rate of earthworms and the microbiome of the substrate, as demonstrated by the low organic matter mineralization in the vermicompost exposed to plastic. Although no significant changes were recorded in several biomarkers, signs of oxidative stress were evidenced throughout the glutathione S-transferase and carboxylesterase activity, mainly involving balanced oxidative stress and xenobiotic resistance systems.