We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
In Vitro and Ex Situ Biodegradation of Low-Density Polyethylene by a Rhizopus sp. Strain Isolated from a Local Dumpsite in North-East Algeria
AI summary Read the abstract
A Rhizopus sp. fungal strain isolated from an Algerian landfill was tested for its ability to degrade low-density polyethylene (LDPE) plastic bags in laboratory conditions. The fungus reduced the weight and altered the surface structure of LDPE samples over time, indicating partial biodegradation. Landfill environments may harbor fungi with potential for plastic bioremediation applications.
Low density polyethylene (LDPE) is the most abundant non-degradable plastic waste. Widely used in packaging material, it represents a serious threat to all ecosystems. In the present study, a Rhizopus sp. fungal strain was isolated from soil of a landfill located in north-east Algeria and cultured on potato dextrose agar. The in vitro biodegradability of pieces of the same plastic bag (0.2, 0.4, and 0.6 g) was estimated in minimal liquid medium and on minimal solid medium. Furthermore, biodegradation of plastic bag pieces was examined in seawater, tap water and soil. The isolated Rhizopus sp. strain could degrade the plastic bag waste. The highest in vitro rate occurred in the minimal liquid medium for both the 0.4-g and 0.6-g pieces (a 20% decrease in weight). In natural media, the highest weight decrease was different depending on the substrate: 5% in seawater for the 0.2-g piece, 10% in tap water for the 0.4-g piece and 8% in soil for the 0.4-g piece. This strain could also form a biofilm in Malt Extract Broth (MEB). These results revealed that the isolated Rhizopus sp. strain has considerable biodegradative ability based on different measures.
More Papers Like This
A comparative study on biodegradation of low density polyethylene bags by a Rhizopus arrhizus SLNEA1 strain in batch and continuous cultures
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers isolated the fungus Rhizopus arrhizus from an Algerian landfill and showed it can degrade low-density polyethylene films as a sole carbon source, achieving up to 29.74% weight loss in continuous culture and producing visible surface cracking and new chemical functional groups detectable by SEM and FTIR.
Biodegradation of Low Density Polyethylene by the Fungus Cladosporium sp. Recovered from a Landfill Site
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers demonstrated that the fungus Cladosporium sp., isolated from a landfill site, can biodegrade low-density polyethylene, showing measurable weight loss and surface structural changes in treated plastic films over the incubation period.
Effect of Fungi Isolated from Different Plastic Polluted Sites on Low Density Polyethylene Material Degradation with Reference to SEM Analysis
AI summary Read the abstract
Fungi isolated from plastic-polluted environments were tested for their ability to degrade low-density polyethylene (LDPE), a common packaging plastic, under laboratory conditions. Microscopic analysis confirmed surface degradation, suggesting that naturally occurring fungi from contaminated sites may have enhanced plastic-degrading ability.
Screening of Fungal Isolates for Biodegradation Potentials of Low-Density Polyethylene from Selected Dumpsites
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers screened fungi isolated from soil at Nigerian waste dump sites for their ability to degrade low-density polyethylene plastic, identifying candidate species for potential use in bioremediation. Fungal biodegradation of common plastics like LDPE could help address plastic waste in environments with poor waste management infrastructure.
Effect of potential fungi on low density polyethylene isolated from municipal solid waste with reference to scanning electron microscopy analysis
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers investigated the ability of fungi isolated from municipal solid waste to degrade low-density polyethylene (LDPE), using scanning electron microscopy to assess surface changes. The study found that selected fungal strains caused measurable physical and chemical degradation of LDPE surfaces, demonstrating bioremediation potential for this persistent plastic type.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.