Isolation and molecular characterization of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic degrading fungal isolates

Abstract

The recalcitrant nature of polyvinyl chloride creates serious environmental concerns during manufacturing and waste disposal. The present study was aimed to isolate and screen different soil fungi having potential to biodegrade PVC films. After 10 months of soil burial experiment, it was observed that a number of fungal strains were flourishing on PVC films. On morphological as well as on 18rRNA gene sequence and phylogenetic basis they were identified as Phanerochaete chrysosporium PV1, Lentinus tigrinus PV2, Aspergillus niger PV3, and Aspergillus sydowii PV4. The biodegradation ability of these fungal isolates was further checked in shake flask experiments by taking thin films of PVC (C source) in mineral salt medium. A significant change in color and surface deterioration of PVC films was confirmed through visual observation and Scanning electron microscopy. During shake flask experiments, P. chrysosporium PV1 produced maximum biomass of about 2.57 mg ml(-1) followed by A. niger PV3. P. chrysosporium PV1 showed significant reduction (178,292 Da(-1)) in Molecular weight of the PVC film than control (200,000 Da(-1)) by gel permeation chromatography. Furthermore more Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance also revealed structural changes in the PVC. It was concluded that isolated fungal strains have significant potential for biodegradation of PVC plastics.

Lipase degradation of plasticized polyvinyl chloride endotracheal tube surfaces to create nanoscale features

“…Fortunately, degradation of polymers such as pPVC by microbes is a well-known phenomenon and has been studied extensively. [13][14][15][16] Fungi have been shown to degrade esterbased plasticizers such as pPVC. 17 Biodegradation by fungi has been attributed to sn-1,3-specific lipases, such as the lipase found in Rhizopus arrhizus.…”

“…These lipases have been shown to degrade polyesters and phthalates, specifically di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate. 13,[16][17][18] Studies on the biodegradation of phthalates in the presence of microorganisms have shown that the mechanism of this reaction is a sequential hydrolysis of each ester-alkyl chain. 19 Thus, this study proposes the following mechanism, shown in Figure 1, for the hydrolysis of the plasticizer in pPVC by the fungal lipase R. arrhizus.…”

Screening of poly vinyl chloride degrading bacteria from plastic contaminated area of Baddi

“…The film was prepared by pouring and then evaporating PVC solution in petridish, at 60 0 C in hot air oven for 6 hr. The films were sterilized by dipping pit into 70 % ethanol for 15 minute [8].…”

Biodegradation of starch blended polyvinyl chloride films by isolated Phanerochaete chrysosporium PV1

“…The PCR was carried out under the following conditions: denaturation at 95°C for 1 min, followed by annealing at 55°C for 1 min for 40 cycles and finally extension at 72°C for 1 min. Sequence data were aligned with sequences available at GenBank databases (Ali et al 2012). …”

“…Sequences were compared to sequences held at the NCBI using FASTA and on the basis of its 99 % taxonomic homology it is identified as P. chrysosporium PV1 Accession no. EU543990 (Ali et al 2012). Webb et al (2000) employed similar method of rDNA sequencing for identification purpose for the selected microorganism capable of clearing plasticizer agar and recovered in high numbers.…”