Low density polyethylene (LDPE) waste disposal remains one of the major environmental concerns faced by the world today. In past decades, major focus has been given to enhance the biodegradation of LDPE by microbial species. In this present study, Aspergillus versicolor with the ability to degrade LDPE was isolated from municipal landfill area using enrichment technique. Based on 18S rRNA gene sequencing confirmed its identity as Aspergillus versicolor. The biodegradation study was carried out for 90 d in M1 medium. The degradation behaviour of LDPE films by Aspergillus versicolor strain JASS1 were confirmed by weight loss, CO2 evolution, Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis, Atomic force microscopy (AFM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) technique. From current investigation, it can be concluded that our isolated strain JASS1 had the potential to degrade LDPE films and it can be useful in solving the problem caused by polyethylene in the environment. © Published under licence by IOP Publishing Ltd.

Jayanthi Abraham

Department of Bio-Medical Sciences

School of Bio Sciences and Technology

Vellore Campus

Gajendiran A

Subramani S

Fulltext

Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT) is a private university located in&nbsp;Tamil Nadu, India. Founded in 1984, as Vellore Engineering College, the institution offers 20 undergraduate, 34 postgraduate, four integrated and four research programs. It has campuses in Vellore, Amravati, Bhopal and Chennai.

VIT is one of the top ranked private universities in India according to NIRF, THE and QS Rankings.&nbsp;Govt. of India has recognized&nbsp;VIT, Vellore as an&nbsp;Institution of Eminence. This has allowed VIT to take independent quality initiatives and move up in world ranking.

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VIT University

Effect of Aspergillus versicolor strain JASS1 on low density polyethylene degradation

IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering

Low-density polyethylene (LDPE) is potential source of environmental pollution. In this study, biodegradation of LDPE was achieved by employing fungus and actinobacteria isolated from waste dumping site. Among all the isolates, two potential strains were obtained through enrichment technique. Based on 18S rRNA and 16S rRNA analyses the isolated strains were identified as Aspergillus nomius and Streptomyces sp., respectively. The biodegradation of LDPE was determined by evaluating weight loss and morphological changes of the LDPE samples. The isolated strains; Aspergillus nomius had the capacity to degrade 4.9% and Streptomyces sp. showed 5.2% of weight loss of LDPE films respectively. Weight loss of LDPE film after inoculation of isolates in degradation medium indicated that it was capable of using polyethylene as carbon and energy source. CO2evolution was checked after degradation of polyethylene pieces, the level of CO2reached 2.85 g L−1in the presence of Aspergillus nomius and Streptomyces sp. produced 4.27 g L−1. Sophisticated instrumentation was used like atomic force microscopy, Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy (FTIR). The breakdown products of the LDPE film after exposure to the isolates was recorded employing GCMS. FTIR spectrum of LDPE film confirmed changes in the presence of chemical groups like amine, alkanes, phenols, and alcohol after degradation of LDPE films by Aspergillus nomius and Streptomyces sp. and the most prominent structural changes of the spectrum were observed in the LDPE sample after 90 days of degradation. The results affirmed the isolates were capable of degrading LPDE films efficiently. © 2016 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 36: 147–154, 2017. © 2016 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog

Environmental Progress & Sustainable Energy

Microbial degradation of low density polyethylene

Polythene and plastic waste are found to accumulate in the environment, posing a major ecological threat. They are found to be considered non-degradable, once it enters the environment it has been found to remain there indefinitely. However, significant attention has been placed on biodegradable polymer, identification of microbes with degradative potential on plastic material. The aim of the present investigation was to biodegrade low-density polyethylene (LDPE) using potential fungi isolated from landfill soil. Based on 18S rRNA analyses the isolated strain was identified as Aspergillus clavatus. LDPE degradation by A. clavatus was monitored for 90 days of incubation in aqueous medium. The degradation was confirmed by changes in polyethylene weight, CO2 evolution by Strum test, infrared spectra and morphological changes by SEM and AFM analysis. © 2016, The Author(s).

3 Biotech

Microbial degradation of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) by Aspergillus clavatus strain JASK1 isolated from landfill soil

Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering

Microbial degradation of low density polyethylene (LDPE): A review

Environmental Monitoring and Assessment

Degradation of polyethylene by Trichoderma harzianum—SEM, FTIR, and NMR analyses

Journal	Data powered by TypesetIOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering
Publisher	Data powered by TypesetIOP Publishing
ISSN	1757-8981
Open Access	Yes