We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Comparative evaluation of polyethylene degradation efficiency by two Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains from urban waste disposal areas
Summary
Researchers isolated two Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacterial strains from waste disposal sites and found both could use polyethylene as a carbon source, degrading approximately 22–25% of PE mass over 120 days, with chemical analysis confirming structural breakdown of the polymer and identification of degradation intermediates.
The widespread use and environmental persistence of polyethylene (PE) have led to a global pollution crisis, which is intensified by its fragmentation into hazardous micro- and nanoplastics. Although bioremediation using polymer-degrading microbes presents a sustainable alternative, only a limited microbes have been identified, primarily due to the challenges of culturing potential degraders in the laboratory. We isolated two P. aeruginosa strains (SKD-SD-3171 and SS-SD-7780) from urban waste disposal areas and comparatively evaluated their PE degrading efficacy, over 120 days. Both strains utilized PE as a carbon source, as confirmed by weight loss (24.53±0.35% for P. aeruginosa SKD-SD-3171 and 22.50±0.35% for P. aeruginosa SS-SD-7780), polymer reduction rate (K=0.00235 day±0.00004 for P. aeruginosa SKD-SD-3171 and 0.00212 day±0.00004 for P. aeruginosa SS-SD-7780), and calculation of half-life (t1/2=295.55±4.77 for P. aeruginosa SKD-SD-3171 and 326.39±5.94 for P. aeruginosa SS-SD-7780) after the incubation in a carbon-free medium. Biodegradation was further validated using fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), which showed structural alterations, and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), which revealed surface erosion in PE, following microbial treatment. Additionally, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) identified degradation intermediates whose kinetic profiling revealed effective polyethylene degradation through biodegradation efficiency metrics. Our findings demonstrate that P. aeruginosa SKD-SD-3171 exhibits comparatively faster and consistent polyethylene degradation kinetics than P. aeruginosa SS-SD-7780 under laboratory-based conditions and it also establishes effective methodological framework for isolation, selection and evaluation of specific polymer-degrading microorganisms using advanced analytical techniques. These findings provide insights into developing PE-waste management strategies like enzyme characterization, followed by field-scale validation to enhance degradation kinetics.
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
Selection of microorganisms capable of polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) degradation
Researchers developed an effective selection method for microorganisms capable of degrading polyethylene and polypropylene, isolating seven bacterial strains including Priestia megaterium and Pseudomonas fluorescens that showed measurable polymer degradation.
Isolation and characterization of new bacterial strains degrading low-density polyethylene
Researchers isolated and characterized new bacterial strains capable of degrading low-density polyethylene, one of the most common plastic polymers. The strains were found in landfill and compost environments, and the study suggests that biological degradation could be a promising approach for addressing polyethylene waste accumulation.
Isolation of a soil bacterium for remediation of polyurethane and low-density polyethylene: a promising tool towards sustainable cleanup of the environment.
A soil bacterium tentatively classified in the Pseudomonas genus was found to biodegrade both polyurethane and low-density polyethylene plastics. The discovery of a single bacterial strain capable of degrading two different types of plastic is a step toward developing practical microbial tools for plastic waste remediation.
Biodegradation of sachet water polyethylene plastic waste using bacteria isolates
Researchers isolated two bacterial strains — Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Rossellomorea aquimaris — from Nigerian environmental samples and demonstrated they can degrade polyethylene sachet-water plastic, achieving a 22.5% weight loss and chemical evidence of polymer breakdown as measured by FTIR and GC-MS.
Biodegradation of polyethylene: a brief review
This review examines research on biodegradation of polyethylene by microorganisms, summarizing the physico-chemical changes observed and noting that while promising bacterial strains have been identified, complete biodegradation under ambient conditions has not been achieved.