Isolation and Molecular Characterization of Polythene-Degrading Bacteria from Dumping Sites in Bhopal District, Madhya Pradesh

Author: Sharmishta Sekhar and Deepak Bharti

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Abstract

Low-density polyethylene (LDPE) is a plastic material that is widely used due to its resistance to natural degradation, leading to severe environmental pollution. The microbial biodegradation of LDPE presents a potential solution to this issue. However, the efficiency and mechanisms of this process are not yet fully understood. In this study, we isolated and identified several bacterial strains from a dumpsite in the Bhopal district of Madhya Pradesh, India. These strains demonstrated growth on LDPE as the sole carbon source, indicating their potential for degradation. We further evaluated their ability to degrade LDPE sheets under laboratory conditions by measuring the weight loss after 16 weeks of incubation at 37˚C and 28˚C. Our results revealed that the isolated strains belonged to four genera: Pseudomonas, Bacillus, Alcaligenes, and Priestia. These strains exhibited varying degrees of LDPE degradation. The most efficient degraders were Bacillus cereus and Priestia megaterium, which achieved weight losses of 29.31± 2.77 % and 22.54 ± 1.39 %, respectively, at 37˚C. Our findings suggest that certain bacterial strains could be effective in mitigating plastic pollution through biodegradation. Factors such as temperature, biofilm formation, and surface oxidation play significant roles in the biodegradation process. This study provides new insights into the microbial degradation of LDPE and its implications for environmental biotechnology

Keywords

Polythene-Degrading Bacteria, low-density polyethylene, Priestia megaterium, Bacillus cereus

Conclusion

The study isolated bacterial cultures from plastic waste, capable of degrading various plastics. Weight loss in plastic samples indicated biodegradation activity. Bacteria from the genera Pseudomonas, Bacillus, Alcaligenes, and Priestia, all part of the Proteobacteria phylum, showed notable plastic degradation abilities. These findings contribute to potential solutions for plastic waste management

References

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How to cite this article

Sharmishta Sekhar and Deepak Bharti (2023). Isolation and Molecular Characterization of Polythene-Degrading Bacteria from Dumping Sites in Bhopal District, Madhya Pradesh. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 15(5a): 732-735.