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A Study on Comparison of Efficiency of Low-Density Polythene (LDPE) Degradation Under Aerobic and Anaerobic Conditions by Microorganisms Isolated from Soil
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Researchers compared how well soil-isolated microorganisms degrade low-density polyethylene under aerobic versus anaerobic conditions, finding that aerobic bacteria achieved greater plastic mass loss over the study period. The findings suggest aerobic microbial degradation is more effective for LDPE breakdown, informing the design of bioremediation strategies for plastic-contaminated soils.
Plastic has many desirable properties and thus, possesses several varied applications. This has led to a rise in its production and over the years, it has caused plastic pollution. Biodegradation is an affordable and more environment-friendly method compared to the other techniques currently available to eliminate plastic. The aim of this study was to isolate LDPE degrading microbes from soil samples that were collected from 4 different sources in Mumbai and compare their respective LDPE % degradation rates. Isolation of potential plastic degraders was carried out on Bushnell Haas agar that was overlaid with LDPE strips. The final biodegradation rate was calculated by the weight loss reduction method after an incubation period of one month under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. For identification of the bacteria, gram staining and Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization- Time of Flight (MALDI-TOF) Mass Spectroscopy were performed and several colony characteristics were studied. For identification of fungi, Potato Dextrose agar containing chloramphenicol was used as the selective media, and Lacto Phenol Cotton Blue staining was performed. Two facultative anaerobic bacterial isolates, Bacillus sp. and Staphylococcus cohnii ssp. urealyticus with LDPE degradation rates of 9.8% and 5.57% respectively, and a highly aerobic fungus, Aspergillus niger, with a degradation rate of 12.13% were found. Fungi showed the maximum rate of biodegradation. Bacillus species exhibited an almost double degradation capacity as compared to that of Staphylococcus species. To improve the biodegradation capacity, the optimum conditions for microbial growth and enzyme production can be assessed and these findings can be applied commercially on a larger scale.
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Researchers used a soil microbial community system (Winogradsky column) to degrade low-density polyethylene (LDPE) plastic, the material used in grocery bags. The bacterial community broke down the plastic and produced identifiable metabolites, suggesting that soil microbes can slowly but measurably attack LDPE. This matters for understanding how plastic waste might naturally degrade in landfills and why microplastics form and persist in the environment.
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Researchers tested five bacterial strains for their ability to biodegrade low-density polyethylene microplastics over four months. Pseudomonas aeruginosa showed the most significant degradation with an 18.2% weight loss, followed by Bacillus subtilis at 16.1%. The study demonstrates that naturally occurring soil bacteria can break down polyethylene microplastics, suggesting a potential biological approach to addressing plastic waste pollution.
A Comparative Study of Low-density Polyethylene Shopping Carry Bag Degrading Bacteria Isolated from Marine and Garden Soil
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Researchers isolated bacteria from marine and garden soil and tested their ability to degrade low-density polyethylene (LDPE) plastic bags. Two species — Paenibacillus castanea and Riemerella anatipestifer — achieved up to 7.3% weight loss of LDPE after 35 days, demonstrating that soil bacteria can slowly break down this common plastic. This research is relevant to understanding natural LDPE degradation pathways and the formation of microplastics as larger plastic items fragment in soil and marine environments.
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Researchers isolated bacteria from landfill sediments that were capable of degrading LDPE microplastics, demonstrating the degradation through weight loss and changes in the plastic's chemical structure detected by FTIR analysis. The results show that naturally occurring soil bacteria have some capacity to break down common plastic polymers, offering a potential bioremediation strategy for plastic-contaminated environments.
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