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Evaluation and optimization of polyethene plastic degradation potential of bacteria isolated from plastic contaminated soil
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Researchers isolated five types of bacteria from plastic-polluted soil in Lahore and tested their ability to break down polyethylene plastic strips in the lab. The bacteria reduced the plastic's weight by 11 to 32 percent, with Bacillus cereus showing the largest reduction, and chemical analysis identified breakdown byproducts and a possible degradation pathway.
Agricultural, ecological and toxicological risks associated with polyethene (PE) have raised the need for microplastics remediation. Being recalcitrant, it cannot be effectively broken down by chemical or mechanical methods. Bacteria-based bioremediation might serve as a sustainable solution for its elimination. We initiated the current project to isolate and explore the PE-metabolizing bacteria from plastic-contaminated soil of Lahore. Bacteria were isolated via serial dilution method using minimal salt medium (MSM). Isolates were analyzed via biochemical tests, growth curve analysis, 16S rRNA gene sequencing, antibiotic sensitivity profiling, PE strip weight loss assay, FTIR analysis, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC–MS) based metabolites and pathways identification and resource surface methodology (RSM). Five bacteria isolated in current study were identified as Acinetobacter baumannii, Bacillus cereus, Brevibacillus brevis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Pseudooceanicola marinus. All bacteria were fast-growing. PE degradation was demonstrated by PE strip weight loss assay that ranged between 11–32%. The highest weight loss was observed in case of B. cereus SBBPT2. FTIR spectra of bacteria treated PE strips indicated peaks shifting in 500–1500, 1472.3 and 2800–3000 cm−1 regions corresponding to -C-H, = C-H, (–C-O) and –CH2- bonds as compared to control untreated PE strips. GC–MS analysis showed formation of undecane, heptadecane, pentadecane, 2,6,10,14-tetramethyl-2-methyl octadecane, 9,12-octadecadien-1-ol, 2-methyl-1-hexanol, 2-bromo dodecane, octanoic acid, dodecanal, 3-heptanone, 4-nitrophenyl ester, octadecatrienoic acid, octadecadienoic acid, and hexanoic acid. Based on these metabolites, PE degradation via terminal oxidation of alkanes pathway was identified. Bacteria documented in the current study have demonstrated potential as sustainable solution for PE biodegradation.
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