Isolation, Screening and Evaluation of Low Density Polyethylene Degrading Bacteria from Plastic Contaminated Environments
TL;DR
The microorganisms that can live in a carbon-deficient environment suggested that they are able to exist in a LDPE-rich environment and the alteration of the LDPE was analyzed using Attenuated Total Reflectance-Fourier Transform Infra-Red (ATR-FTIR) Spectroscopy to demonstrate the chemical modification.
Abstract
Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE) is one of the most abundantly produced synthetic polymers, and its non-biodegradable properties have led to a huge environmental buildup. The main objective of this study was to isolate microorganisms that can degrade LDPE from plastic contaminated sites using proven microbiological and laboratory techniques. Soil and water samples were obtained from sites where plastic was abundantly available, and microorganisms were isolated using conventional serial dilution and plating methods. The isolated microorganisms were tested for LDPE degradation on Bushnell-Hass medium containing LDPE as a sole carbon source on solid plate and liquid cultures as a part of screening. The microorganisms that can live in a carbon-deficient environment suggested that they are able to exist in a LDPE-rich environment. The alteration of the LDPE was analyzed using Attenuated Total Reflectance-Fourier Transform Infra-Red (ATR-FTIR) Spectroscopy to demonstrate the chemical modification. Notable differences in the FTIR spectrum from those of the unaltered samples confirmed the interaction of the microbes with LDPE. Promising bacteria was characterized morphologically, culturally and biochemically and analyzed by Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS), a common method for the identification of microorganisms. The significance of this study lies in the potential of the indigenous microorganisms in the biodegradation of LDPE.