We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Polystyrene and low-density polyethylene degradation by Bacillus cereus L1 isolated from plastic contaminated wastewater
AI summary Read the abstract
This study isolated and characterized Bacillus cereus L1 from plastic-polluted wastewater for its ability to degrade polystyrene (PS) and low-density polyethylene (LDPE), identifying the bacterium through 16S rRNA gene sequencing and confirming its biofilm-forming capacity. FTIR analysis revealed structural changes in both PS and LDPE following incubation with B. cereus L1, including new carbonyl and alkyne group peaks indicating polymer degradation, supporting potential bioremediation applications.
The environmental disruption caused by enduring pollution has been aggravated by the excessive use of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and polystyrene (PS) plastics due to their non-biodegradable composition. Microbial bioremediation could be an environmentally friendly approach to degrade these pollutants. In this research, plastic-degrading bacteria were isolated from plastic-polluted wastewater collected from a wastewater drain. For this study, enrichment culture techniques were employed to isolate plastic-degrading bacteria from wastewater contaminated with plastic. Characterization was performed on the purified isolate with the highest efficiency. The bacteria utilizing PS and LDPE as the sole carbon sources were purified and characterized (FTIR, SEM) based on morphology, antibiotic resistance profile, and phylogenetic analysis through 16 S rRNA gene sequencing. The bacteria showing the most significant PS and LDPE degradation were identified as B. cereus L1. The strain also exhibited biofilm-forming ability, confirmed by a qualitative crystal violet ring test, a pivotal factor in plastic breakdown. B. cereus L1 reduced the weight of LDPE beads from 1.08 g to 0.87 g and from 1.15 g to 0.92 g in four weeks. Fourier Transform Infrared Radiation (FTIR) spectroscopy revealed changes in the structural configuration of PS and LDPE after incubation with B. cereus L1, as distinct peaks at 2196 cm⁻¹ for alkynes, nitriles, and 1715 cm⁻¹ for carbonyl groups were observed, indicating the degradation of the polymers. This work highlights the potential of B. cereus L1 in bioremediation strategies for managing plastic waste, offering a sustainable and eco-friendly alternative for combating plastic pollution in both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.
More Papers Like This
Biodegradation of Low-Density Polyethylene Plastic Using Marine Bacterial Consortium
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers tested a marine bacterial consortium of Bacillus licheniformis, Bacillus subtilis, and Paenibacillus xylanilyticus for degrading low-density polyethylene, achieving a 34.1% weight loss in treated plastic sheets over 30 days, with FTIR and electron microscopy confirming structural breakdown of the polymer.
An approach to low-density polyethylene biodegradation by Bacillus amyloliquefaciens
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers isolated two strains of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens from municipal solid waste soil and demonstrated their capacity to degrade low-density polyethylene (LDPE) films, as measured by dry weight reduction, pH changes, and surface modification via FTIR and SEM analysis. The findings indicate that these bacterial strains have potential for application in LDPE bioremediation.
Accelerated degradation of low-density polyethylene by bacteria isolates: Insights from Surabaya River, Indonesia
AI summary Read the abstract
"Researchers isolated bacteria from Indonesia's Surabaya River and tested their ability to degrade LDPE plastic over 30 days, finding that Bacillus cereus (isolate M2) was the most effective degrader, causing measurable chemical and physical changes to the plastic surface and outperforming Pseudomonas sihuiensis."
Microbial biodegradation of polystyrene microplastics: isolation, characterization and degradation efficiency of a river-isolated bacterium
AI summary Read the abstract
Bacillus cereus bacteria isolated from a polluted river in India were shown to degrade polystyrene microplastics in laboratory conditions, achieving a 20% weight loss over 30 days. The study identifies a river-sourced bacterium as a candidate microorganism for bioremediation of polystyrene pollution.
Isolation of plastic-degrading Gram-positive bacteria from Mosul Environment-Iraq
AI summary Read the abstract
Eleven bacterial species isolated from polluted soil in Mosul, Iraq — including Bacillus subtilis and Cytobacillus firmus — demonstrated measurable degradation of PET and LDPE plastics, confirmed by FTIR, GC-MS, and weight loss analysis, with C. firmus achieving 56% PET degradation. This matters for microplastic pollution research because these native soil bacteria represent potential bioremediation agents capable of breaking down the plastic polymers that fragment into microplastics.
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.