Screening for Polypropylene Degradation Potential of Bacteria Isolated from Mangrove Ecosystems in Peninsular Malaysia

Polypropylene (PP) is a versatile polymer that is widely used globally and plays an important role in many commercial applications. Its recalcitrance to degradation by microorganisms makes it persist in the environment, causing environmental pollution. In the present studies, Bacillus cereus and Sporosarcina globispora isolated from mangrove sediments in Peninsular Malaysia were screened for ability to degrade polypropylene using mineral salt media. The bacteria isolates were able to grow on media infused with polypropylene. The extents of biodegradability of the polypropylene granules by the isolated bacterial strains were assessed in vitro in the medium containing polypropylene as sole carbon source. After 40 days of incubation, the biodegradation of polypropylene granules was measured in terms of weight loss and rate of polymer reduction. Bacillus cereus showed 12% and Sporosarcina globispora showed 11% degradation by weight loss in 40 days. The rate of reduction of the polypropylene polymer granules by the isolates was 0.003g day -1 and 0.002g day -1 for B. cereus and S. globispora, respectively. The designated isolates can degrade the microplastic material and indicate positive potential towards remediation of polypropylene-contaminated environment.