The accelerated population and industrial development have caused an extensive increase in the use of plastic products. Since polyethylene degrades slowly generating poisonous compounds, therefore, elimination of plastic from the environment is the prerequisite requirement today. Biodegradation of plastics seems to be a convenient and effective method to curb this problem. In view of this, the present study focuses on LDPE degradation capability of bacterial strain Pseudomonas aeruginosa ISJ14 (Accession No. MG554742) isolated from waste dump sites. Further, the stability of 16S rDNA of the isolate was determined by applying bioinformatics tools. For biodegradation studies, the polyethylene films were incubated with the culture of P. aeruginosa ISJ14 in two different growth medium namely Bushnell Hass broth (BHM) and Minimal Salt medium (MSM) for 60 days at 37 °C on 180 rpm. In addition, hydrophobicity and viability of bacterial isolate along with quantification of total protein content was also done. The microbial degradation was confirmed by surface modification and formation of fissures on polyethylene surface along with the variation in the intensity of functional groups as well as an increase in the carbonyl index using field emission scanning electron microscopy (Fe-SEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometry (FTIR). These results indicate that P. aeruginosa strain ISJ14 can prove to be a suitable candidate for LDPE waste treatment without causing any harm to our health or environment.

No abstract

Highlights • This study focuses on the biodegradation of Low Density Polyethylene by bacterial isolates. • Reduction in weight was estimated by shake flask experiment. • Bacterial biomass on LDPE surface revealed the colonization of bacterial cells. • The polyethylene film was characterized by SEM and FTIR.

Present study investigates an ecofriendly approach for the degradation of Low Density Polyethylene that may persist in the environment for a long period of time due to its recalcitrant nature and creates major threat for the environment. Plastic contaminated soil samples were collected from three sampling sites and sixteen bacterial isolates were selected on the basis of cultural characteristics. All the isolates were studied for their biodegradability by clear zone method on minimal salt medium. Three isolates namely ISJ51, ISJ55and ISJ57 were considered positive for polyethylene degradation on the basis of halo zone produced around the bacterial colony after treatment with coomassie blue solution. By standard morphological and biochemical characterization, the isolates were probably identified as Bacillus cereus, Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus megaterium.

No abstract

Biodegradation is an attractive approach for the elimination of synthetic polymers, pervasively accumulated in natural environments and generating ecological problems. The present work investigated the degradation of low‐density polyethylene (PE) by three Bacillus sp., that is, ISJ36, ISJ38, and ISJ40. The degree of biodegradation was assessed by measuring hydrophobicity, viability, and total protein content of bacterial biofilm attached to the PE surface. Although all three bacterial strains were able to establish an active biofilm community on the PE surface, ISJ40 showed better affinity toward PE degradation than the other two. Bacterial colonization and physical changes on the PE surface were visualized by scanning electron microscopy. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis revealed alteration in the intensities of functional groups along with an increase in the carbonyl bond indexes. The study results suggest that the Bacillus strain ISJ40 can be used as a potential degrader for the eco‐friendly treatment of PE waste.

No abstract