Conversion of waste plastics to high-value metabolites

A method comprising:

• catalytically degrading linear and/or branched alkanes or polypropylene in an oxidizing environment to form intermediate oxidation products with a catalyst system that includes one or more catalysts;
• and
• contacting the intermediate oxidation products with a non-human organism, wherein the non-human organism is genetically modified to convert the intermediate oxidation products to secondary metabolites.

A method for making a biocontrol agent comprising:

• culturing a strain of Aspergillus flavus with benzoic acid in a culture medium;
• and
• collecting spores from the strain of Aspergillus flavus therefrom.

A method for making a biocontrol agent comprising:

• culturing B. bassiana GHA in a culture medium that includes polypropylene digestion products;
• and
• collecting spores from the B. bassiana GHA therefrom.