Abstract
Global plastic pollution is one of the serious issues which create a severe environmental damage. Microbial biodegradation is an eco-friendly method to overcome the plastic pollution issue. The aim of this study is to explore microbes from garbage soil to manage the Low-density Polyethylene (LDPE). Active biodegrading microbes were identified by clear zone method using mineral salt medium with LDPE. Genome sequencing has been performed for LDPE-degrading strains and identified as Bacillus subtilis and Streptomyces labedae. The biodegradation of LDPE was carried out by using selected active strains. The analysis of biodegradation process was carried out by extracellular enzyme assay, cell hydrophobicity and viability of cells with elevated pH produced by B.subtilis and S.labedae. The weight loss percentage of polymer sheets by B.subtilis and S.labedae were 80% and 85% respectively. Major deformities and surface modification on the LDPE sheet were evaluated by the formation of cracks and pits on the surface. The functional groups in the treated sheets were observed by using FTIR analysis. The highest reduction in tensile strength was observed. The GC-MS analysis revealed the presence of 30 new compounds during the biodegradation. It evolved CO2 of 5.32 g/l with S. labedae and 4.55 g/l with B.subtilis. Phytotoxicity of LDPE degraded byproduct showed a positive growth rate of 97.8 ± 0.836% in Trigonella foenum seed. Then the cytotoxicity study revealed that it was non-toxic to L292 cell lines. Both strains have the ability to consume and reduce the LDPE film. These organisms are the promising resources to manage the LDPE and offers an ecofriendly solution to solve global plastic pollution. Hence the achieved research information could be applied at a large scale for degrading various plastic materials.
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All data generated and analyzed during the study are included in this study.
Abbreviations
- LDPE:
-
Low-density polyethylene
- VBNC:
-
Viable but non-culturable
- FTIR:
-
Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy
- SEM:
-
Scanning Electron Microscope
- AFM:
-
Atomic Force Microscope
- GC:
-
MS-Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectroscopy
- MTT − (3:
-
(4, 5-dimethylthiazole-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide)
- Mpa:
-
Megapascals
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Acknowledgements
The authors are thankful to the Karpagam Academy of Higher Education for the research support by providing infrastructure facilities for this research. We thank the Gandhigram Rural Institute, Dindigul for Atomic Force Microscopy and Scanning Electron Microscopy analytical support.
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Highlights
• This research clearly revealed that the Bacillus subtilis and Streptomyces labedae are the best-suitable organism for the degradation of synthetic Low-density polyethylene (LDPE) degradation which is one of the major plastic pollutants in the environment.
• This microbial consortium will completely degrade LDPE within 48 months. This LDPE usually takes many decades to degrade completely in the environmental condition. This research creates great breakthrough in the LDPE degradation.
• Successful degradation of LDPE by Bacillus subtilis and Streptomyces labedae produces certain byproducts. The compounds obtained after microbial degradation are safe for the plant system, living organisms and environment.
• Underpinning this process of microbial degradation in LDPE it aids in environmental sustainability. And also converting LDPE into a valuable product by turning it into eco-friendly products.
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Rajapandi, J.D., Rajamanickam, U. Low–density polyethylene management by using selective bacterial strains from garbage soil. Biologia 79, 985–1001 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11756-023-01595-0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11756-023-01595-0