Assessing the efficiency of different bacterial isolates on biodegration of polyethene

Abstract

Plastic waste management and recycling has become a serious global issue as it affects living beings from all the eco-systems. Commonly used methods for plastic disposal were proved to be inadequate for effective plastic waste management, and hence there is growing concern for use of efficient microorganisms meant for biodegration of non-biodegradable synthetic polymer. Researchers have investigated biodegration of polyethene by measuring changes in various physico-chemical and structural characteristics using techniques like Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and the scanning electron microscope (SEM). This study investigated biodegration of polyethene by using two different bacterial species pseudomonas aeruginosa and Bacillus subtilis and combination of both bacteria for a period of 40 days. Pieces of polyethene bags measuring 1gram were inoculated in broth media without carbon source but containing the bacteria and incubated for a period of time. Residual weight of the polyethene bags were measured at the end of each incubation period and the percentage weight loss was calculated. The percentage weight loss by pseudomonas aeruginosa was found to be high throughout the study period compared to Bacillus subtilis and the combination. The weight losses therefore showed an activity of the microbes on polyethene, presupposing that both bacteria were able to utilize polyethene as a carbon source