Colonization and Degradation of Thermally Oxidized High-Density Polyethylene byAspergillus niger(ITCC No. 6052) Isolated from Plastic Waste Dumpsite

Abstract

Plastic materials, particularly polyethylene, are the potential source of environmental pollution. In the present study, a fungal strain was isolated from plastic waste dumpsites capable of adhering to high-density polyethylene (HDPE) surface. The fungal strain was identified as Aspergillus niger (ITCC no. 6052). A visible increase in the growth of the fungi was observed on the surface of the polyethylene when cultured in minimal medium at 30 • C and 120 rpm, for 1 month. Approximately 3.44% reduction (gravimetrically) in mass and 61% reduction in tensile strength of polyethylene was observed after 1 month of incubation with fungal isolate. Scanning electron microscope analysis showed hyphael penetration and cracks on the surface of polyethylene. A thick network of fungal hyphae forming a biofilm was also observed on the surface of the plastic pieces. The efficient biofilm formation on polyethylene surface by Aspergillus niger (ITCC no. 6052) is attributed to its high cell surface hydrophobicity. This study indicated that Aspergillus niger (ITCC no. 6052) has ability to degrade thermally oxidized polyethylene.

Biodegradation of HDPE by Aspergillus spp. from marine ecosystem of Gulf of Mannar, India

“…Studies on fungal mediated degradation of polyethylene has previously been reported using Mucor rouxii and Aspergillus flavus (El-Shafei et al, 1998), Phanerochaete chrysosporium (Liyoshi et al, 1998), Penicillium simplicissimum YK (Yamada-Onodera et al, 2001) and Aspergillus niger ITCC no. 6052 (Mathur et al, 2011). This study aims to isolate and identify the polyethylene degrading efficient fungal strains without any pre-treatment, pro-oxidant additives and also attempts to understand the degradation ability of two fungal strains, Aspergillus tubingensis VRKPT1 and A. flavus VRKPT2.…”

Biodegradation of thermally treated low density polyethylene by fungus Rhizopus oryzae NS 5

“…3a, b. Mathur et al (2011) the microbial adhesion to the surface of polymer is a preliminary step for biodegradation to take place (Moriyama et al 1993). Microorganisms colonize the polymer surface and adhere by extracellular polymer production.…”

Microbial degradation of plastics: Biofilms and degradation pathways

“…After colonizing onto the plastic surface. They allow entrapment of fungi and succession of other species (Mathur et al, 2011). It allows sharing of metabolic intermediates and accelerates degradation (Gilan et al, 2004).…”