Enzymatic studies on Natural rubber biodegradation by Bacillus pumilus

Abstract

Objective: To isolate Natural Rubber degrading Bacteria from soil and to screen the enzymes responsible for Natural Rubber degradation. Methods: Soil burial method was followed for isolation of bacteria. Plate assay method and liquid assay method by using Mineral Salt Medium was followed for screening of bacteria for its capacity to degrade Natural rubber. Degradation was confirmed by weight loss experiment, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Fourier Transform Infra-Red (FTIR) studies. Enzymes responsible for Natural rubber degradation were screened and their activity was measured by spectrophotometric method. Results: Isolated organism was identified as Bacillus pumilus. It was able to degrade Natural rubber which was confirmed by weight loss, SEM and FTIR studies. From the current work it was studied that Laccase and Manganese peroxidase were the enzymes which were responsible for Natural rubber degradation. Conclusion: From current investigation, it can be concluded that our isolated bacterial strain Bacillus pumilus have the capacity to degrade Natural rubber and it can be useful in solving the problem caused by waste Natural rubber products in the environment.

Biological Degradation of Natural Rubber Glove by Gram-negative Bacteria Klebsiella aerogenes

“…Similarly, the activity of MnP showed a signi cant difference (P ≤ 0.05) across all temperature, pH, and time. From [11,12]. Form the above results, it is evident that Klebsiella aerogenes produced a higher enzyme activity in shorter duration.…”

“…Figure 2 clearly shows that aldehydes and ketones group is present in a signi cant amount when NGR samples show deep pink colour after Schiff's staining. The intensity of the colour obtained indicates strong presence of aldehydes in the biodegraded rubber which was a result of biodegradation [11,12,29]. The biodegraded rubber produced similar results when treated with Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus pumilus, Bacillus sp.…”

“…The biodegraded rubber produced similar results when treated with Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus pumilus, Bacillus sp. AF-666 l [11,12,14,15,29,34,35]. Formation of aldehydes and ketone groups by the action of roxA enzyme was also reported in the gram-negative bacteria Xanthomas sp.…”

“…[47,48]. Till date laccase and MnP that were produced during rubber biodegradation were only reported in Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus pumilus [11,12]. Under similar experimental conditions it is seen that Klebsiella aerogenes can produce laccase and MnP that yield higher rubber degradation in shorter periods of time in comparison to bacteria producing RoxA, RoxB.…”

“…Laccase and manganese peroxide (MnP) are commonly produced by white rot fungi but are also reported in bacteria. Bacillus pumilus, Bacillus subtilis, Paenibacillus sp., are reported to produce laccase and MnP that catalyse the biodegradation process [11,12]. Bacillus sp.…”