Biodegradation of Polyethylene by Enterobacter sp. D1 from the Guts of Wax Moth Galleria mellonella

Abstract

Plastic polymers are widely used in agriculture, industry, and our daily life because of their convenient and economic properties. However, pollution caused by plastic polymers, especially polyethylene (PE), affects both animal and human health when they aggregate in the environment, as they are not easily degraded under natural conditions. In this study, Enterobacter sp. D1 was isolated from the guts of wax moth (Galleria mellonella). Microbial colonies formed around a PE film after 14 days of cultivation with D1. Roughness, depressions, and cracks were detected on the surface of the PE film by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) showed the presence of carbonyl functional groups and ether groups on the PE film that was treated with D1. Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS) also revealed that the contents of certain alcohols, esters, and acids were increased as a result of the D1 treatment, indicating that oxidation reaction occurred on the surface of the PE film treated with D1 bacteria. These observations confirmed that D1 bacteria has an ability to degrade PE.

Identification of Potential Biomarkers in the Cervicovaginal Fluid by Metabolic Profiling for Preterm Birth

“…The high level of ethylene glycol in PTB < 7 might be due to the presence of the high colonization of Acinetobacter (biodegrade poly-ethylene glycol into ethylene glycol) or Candida spp. (biodegrade choline into ethylene glycol) [ 14 , 27 , 28 , 29 ]. In addition, the high TMAO in PTB < 7 d subjects, might be because of choline metabolism bacteria (Firmicutes), as we observed from the dominancy in CVF of PTB in our recent study [ 14 ].…”

Contributions of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy in microplastic pollution research: A review

“…In addition, knowing the weathering of MPs is important for understanding the ecological impacts of the most common type of plastic debris. The environmental degradation of MPs via photo-, bio-, oxidative-, hydrolytic and altogether were studied using FTIR techniques by many researchers (Andrade, Fernandez-Gonzalez, et al, 2019;Auta et al, 2018;Bond et al, 2018;Brandon et al, 2016;Costa et al, 2018;Nazareth et al, 2019;Rajakumar et al, 2009;Ren et al, 2019;Tang et al, 2019;Tofa et al, 2019;von Friesen et al, 2019). FTIR results highlight three likely areas of weathering related changes in MPs: hydroxyl groups (broad peaks from 3100 to 3700 cm À1 , centered at 3300-3400 cm À1 ), alkenes or carbon double bonds (1600-1680 cm À1 ) and carbonyls (1690-1810 cm À1 ).…”

A Review: Plastics Waste Biodegradation Using Plastics-Degrading Bacteria

“…Alcohol, alkaline, hydrocarbon, esters, and acid compounds indicate bacterial metabolism in degrading PE (41,39). That process involves various oxidoreductase enzymes (39). Four polyethylene plastic degrading bacteria isolated from soil were also reported by Patil (42).…”

“…D1 treated solution there was increasing of alcohol, esters, acidic compounds, ethyl decanoate, and 6methyl-5-hepten-2-ol. Alcohol, alkaline, hydrocarbon, esters, and acid compounds indicate bacterial metabolism in degrading PE (41,39). That process involves various oxidoreductase enzymes (39).…”