Comparative Studies on Rubber Biodegradation by Mixed Culture and Pure Culture Isolated From the Soil Samples

Abstract

Abstract-An increasing production of natural rubber (NR) compounds has led to major challenges in waste management. The degradation of NR is normally extremely slow. In this study, the degradation of rubber latex gloves in a mineral salt medium (MSM) using a mixed culture of the selected bacteria and a pure culture was investigated by monitoring weight loss, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and viable cell counts. About 18% weight loss of the rubber gloves were detected after incubated with the mixed culture and the pure culture. The increased viable cell counts over incubation time indicated that cells used rubber gloves as a carbon source leading to the degradation of the polymer. The degradation of NR gloves was also determined by observing the growth of NR-degrading bacteria on the glove surface using SEM.