Robustness of Microbial Quantification Methods to Seawater in Marine Plastic Biodegradation Test

Biodegradation of marine biodegradable plastics is related to microbial amounts and diversity in seawater, making measurement critical. Comparative evaluation of four methods for measuring microbial amounts revealed both manual cell counting and quantitative PCR were repeatable and reproducible, and demonstrated compatibility with seawater. Biodegradation tests should be accompanied by carefully selected quantification method.