Biodegradation of Polyethylene Using Lysinibacillus macroides: Isolation, Characterization and Evaluation

Urbanization and economic development have led to an increase in the production of plastics. The increased production of plastics has resulted in the accumulation of plastics in the environment, leading to plastic pollution. The plastics are exposed to various weathering processes and undergo decomposition, which leads to the formation of microplastics. Polyethylene is one of the microplastics which contributes to the maximum share of pollution and is very hazardous. The safe degradation of polyethylene can be done by microbial degradation. This study examined the extent of plastic degradation through the use of microbes. The species of bacterium were isolated from Plastic dumping grounds in Karad. The isolated and screened microbes were assessed further in terms of their degradation potential. The evaluation of polyethylene degradation potential was conducted using the weight loss method, FTIR analysis, and scanning electron microscopy. One bacterial isolate showed positive results, and the screening results showed growth, which measured 7mm around the inoculated well. The screened-out isolate degraded 40% of the polyethylene, which was evaluated by weight loss method. Scanning electron microscopy showed the pits and holes which were formed by degradation. The promising isolate was later identified by 16S rRNA gene sequencing as Lysinibacillus macroides