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Biodegradation of Low-Density Polyethylene and Polyethylene Terephthalate by Bacterial and Fungal Isolates from Active Dumpsites in Ogwa and Ebelle Communities of Esan Land
Summary
Scientists found bacteria and a fungus living in dumpsite soil that can actually break down common plastics (like grocery bags and water bottles), eating away 11-15% of the plastic's weight in just two weeks. This matters because these plastics normally take hundreds of years to break down and often end up as microplastics in our food, water, and even our bodies—so harnessing these natural "plastic eaters" could offer a more sustainable way to clean up plastic waste before it fragments into the tiny particles linked to health concerns.
Plastic pollution is a growing environmental challenge due to the persistent non-degradability of plastics. This study assessed the biodegradation of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) by bacterial and fungal isolates from soil samples collected at active dumpsites in Ogwa and Ebelle communities. Bacterial isolates, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Pseudomonas fluorescens, and the fungal isolate Aspergillus niger were identified. These microorganisms were screened for their ability to degrade LDPE and PET, using a minimal salt medium (MSM) supplemented with 0.1% powdered plastic as the sole carbon source for 14 days. The weight loss was determined through gravimetric analysis, and chemical changes in the plastics were assessed using Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The results revealed that Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Aspergillus niger exhibited the highest degradation potentials, with weight loss percentages of 12.9 ± 0.5% and 14.6 ± 0.5% for LDPE, and 10.5 ± 0.4% and 11.3 ± 0.4% for PET, respectively. FTIR spectra showed significant modifications in functional groups (C=O stretching at 1710 cm⁻¹ and O-H stretching at 3400 cm⁻¹), indicating plastic degradation. These findings suggest that Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Pseudomonas fluorescens, and Aspergillus niger are promising candidates for enhancing plastic biodegradation, contributing to the development of sustainable environmental management strategies.