Biodegradation of low-density polyethylene and polypropylene by microbes isolated from Vaigai River, Madurai, India

Abstract

The present study aimed to evaluate the microplastic degradation efficiency of bacterial isolates collected from Vaigai River, Madurai, India. The isolates were processed with proper methods and incorporated in to the UV-treated polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) degradation. Based on preliminary screening, four bacterial isolates such as Bacillus sp. (BS-1), Bacillus cereus (BC), Bacillus sp. (BS-2), and Bacillus paramycoides (BP) were proceed to further degradation experiment for 21 days. The microplastics were filled with bacterial isolates which is use microplastic (PE, PP) as carbon source for their growth and proceed for shake flask experiment were carried out by two approaches with control. The microplastic degradation was confirmed through their weight loss, increasing fragmentations and changes of surface area against control experiments (microplastic without isolates) also confirms degrading efficiency of isolated bacterial strains through nonchanges in their weight and surface area. The highest degradation of PP and PE were observed in BP (78.99 ± 0.005%), and BC (63.08 ± 0.009%) in single approach, while in combined approach BC & BP recorded the highest degradation in both PP (78.62 ± 2.16%), and PE (72.50 ± 20.53%). The formation of new functional groups is confirming the biofilm formation in the surface area of microplastics by isolates and proving their efficiency in degrade the microplastics. The degradation of microplastic experiments should be cost effective and zero waste which is helpful to save the environment and the present findings could reveal the way to degrade the microplastics and prevent the microplastic pollution in aquatic environment.

Exposure to polyethylene microplastics alters immature gut microbiome in an infant in vitro gut model

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A Comparative Study of Low-Density Polyethylene Shopping Carry Bag Degrading Bacteria Isolated From Marine and Garden Soil

“…The change in the peak values of almost all functional groups supporting the conformational change on polymer surface. This may indicate that in our study, the degradation of LDPE has a high product selectivity Kunlere et al (2019), Deepa (2019), Nanthini et al (2021), Deepika & Jaya (2015).…”

Biodegradability of polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), and polystyrene (PS) microplastics by floc-forming bacteria, Bacillus cereus strain SHBF2 isolated from a commercial aquafarm

“…During the DOI 10, the OD was significantly different (p<0.05) at every 2 days, whereas the second phases were changing non-significantly (p>0.05) at a 10-day interval until the end of this study (DOI 60). The PE was utilized better by B. cereus SHBF2 due to the availability of glucose content on their surface (Nanthini Devi et al, 2021). The obtained peak (1.38 abs.)…”