Jul 2026· International Journal of Technology & Emerging Research· Vol 2, pp. 1-11· 0 citations· 31 references
TL;DR
It is demonstrated that municipal dumpsite soils are valuable reservoirs of polyethylene‑degrading bacteria and highlight the potential application of Bacillus paramycoides and Pseudomonas aeruginosa in eco‑friendly plastic waste management strategies.
Abstract
Plastic waste accumulation, particularly polyethylene, poses a significant environmental challenge due to its recalcitrant nature and persistence in ecosystems. The present study aimed to isolate, characterize, and evaluate polyethylene‑degrading bacteria from municipal dumpsite soils collected from Kalol (Gandhinagar) and Pirana (Ahmedabad), Gujarat, India. Soil samples were enriched in mineral salt medium (MSM) supplemented with polyethylene as the sole carbon source, followed by isolation and characterization of bacterial strains using morphological, biochemical, and molecular approaches. Two bacterial isolates were obtained and identified through Gram staining, biochemical profiling, and 16s rRNA gene sequencing as Bacillus paramycoides and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Biochemical analysis revealed distinct metabolic capabilities, with Pseudomonas aeruginosa exhibiting stronger metabolic activities associated with polymer degradation. In weight‑loss assays, Bacillus paramycoides and Pseudomonas aeruginosa caused 3.59 ± 0.01 % and 4.85 ± 0.24 % mass loss of polyethylene films, respectively, after 90 days of incubation in MSM. FTIR analysis confirmed the appearance of new oxygen‑containing functional groups on the polymer surface after bacterial treatment, indicating oxidative degradation of polyethylene. These findings demonstrate that municipal dumpsite soils are valuable reservoirs of polyethylene‑degrading bacteria and highlight the potential application of Bacillus paramycoides and Pseudomonas aeruginosa in eco‑friendly plastic waste management strategies.
Keywords: Isolation Characterization LDPE degrading bacteria 16s rRNA sequencing weight loss FTIR
The persistence of low density polyethylene (LDPE) in municipal dumping sites represents a major environmental concern due to its non-biodegradable nature. The present investigation aimed to isolate, characterize, and genetically identify indigenous LDPE-degrading bacteria from the municipal dumping site of Himmatnagar, District Sabarkantha, Gujarat, India. Soil samples collected from plastic-contaminated zones were subjected to enrichment techniques using LDPE as the sole carbon source. Efficient bacterial isolates were screened based on growth performance and percentage weight loss of LDPE films. Morphological, biochemical, and physiological characterization was carried out to evaluate the biodegradation potential of the isolates. Structural and chemical modifications in LDPE films following bacterial treatment were analyzed using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). SEM analysis revealed surface alterations such as cracks, pits, and erosion on LDPE films, indicating microbial action, while FTIR spectra showed significant changes in functional groups, including the appearance of carbonyl and hydroxyl peaks, confirming polymer oxidation and degradation. Molecular identification of potent isolates was performed through 16S rRNA gene sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. The study demonstrates that indigenous bacterial strains from municipal dumping sites possess substantial LDPE-degrading capability and highlights their potential application in sustainable bioremediation and plastic waste management strategies.
Rahul Khatik, C. Afuwale· Frontiers in Environmental M...· 0 citations
Expanded polystyrene (EPS) is a petroleum-based plastic widely used in food packaging, insulation, and disposable products. Its resistance to natural degradation contributes significantly to environmental pollution and accumulation in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. This study investigated the biodegradation potential of bacterial isolates recovered from selected dumpsites in Kaduna South, Kaduna State, Nigeria. Soil samples were collected from domestic waste dumpsites, and bacterial isolates were recovered using standard microbiological techniques. The biodegradation potential of the isolates was evaluated using a weight-loss method over a 60-day incubation period. Isolates G, M, and P, which exhibited comparatively higher and consistent biodegradation efficiencies, were further characterized using biochemical tests and 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Biodegradation data were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA at p < 0.05. Seventeen bacterial isolates were recovered and exhibited varying biodegradation efficiencies ranging from 6.59% to 61.52%. Isolate G, molecularly identified as Bacillus sp. strain GSKN, recorded the highest biodegradation efficiency (61.52%) after 60 days of incubation. Molecular characterization identified the remaining selected isolates as Bacillota bacterium strain MSKN and Pseudoxanthomonas sp. strain PSKN. The obtained nucleotide sequences were deposited in the NCBI GenBank database under accession numbers PZ345677, PZ345678, and PZ345679, respectively. The findings demonstrate that bacterial isolates from dumpsite soils can degrade EPS and highlight their potential for environmentally sustainable strategies to manage plastic-polluted environments.
Ramatu Aminu, A. Haroun, M. S. Abdulsalami et al.· The Scientific World Journal· 0 citations
Bacteria and fungi from composted organic materials (COMs) are diverse, readily cultivable, and promising for bioremediation of hydrocarbon-polluted environments. This study isolated and identified microbial species from COMs and evaluated their hydrocarbon-degradation potential using contaminated soils from four sites in Sokoto Metropolis, Nigeria. Viable counts of (9.37 ± 0.67) × 10⁶ CFU/g for bacteria and (5.1 ± 3.5) × 10³ CFU/g for fungi were recorded. Six bacterial species were isolated, with Bacillus cereus (30%) predominant, followed by Pseudomonas sp. and Bacillus anthracis (20% each); Bacillus megaterium, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Bacillus subtilis each accounted for 10%. Biochemical tests confirmed broad metabolic capabilities, including starch hydrolysis, sugar fermentation, and catalase activity. Fungal characterization identified Saccharomyces cerevisiae as dominant (50%), followed by Aspergillus niger and Fusarium solani (16.7% each), with Aspergillus fumigatus and A. flavus at 8.3% each. S. cerevisiae formed smooth, cream-coloured colonies, while A. niger and F. solani showed distinct mycelial morphologies. Hydrocarbon utilization by bacterial isolates, tracked over four days via OD₆₀₀, showed Bacillus subtilis (0.21) and Pseudomonas sp. (0.20) as the most active degraders, followed by P. aeruginosa (0.178), B. cereus (0.16), B. anthracis (0.15), and B. megaterium (0.134). Fungal hydrocarbon utilization over 12 days showed A. niger (OD₆₀₀ = 1.8) and A. fumigatus (OD₆₀₀ = 1.5) with the highest growth, indicating strong degrading capacity, while A. flavus, F. solani, and S. cerevisiae showed moderate activity (OD₆₀₀ = 0.7–0.9). These findings underscore the potential of COM-derived microbial consortia for eco-friendly bioremediation of hydrocarbon-contaminated soils.
Aliyu Shehu, Abdullahi Bako Rabah, U. Ibrahim et al.· FUDMA Journal of Sciences· 0 citations
The increasing accumulation of polyethylene in terrestrial environments has become a major ecological concern due to its high chemical stability and resistance to natural degradation processes. Conventional disposal practices such as landfilling and incineration are insufficient to address the growing burden of plastic waste and often lead to secondary environmental impacts. In this context, microbial degradation offers a sustainable and environmentally compatible alternative for polyethylene remediation. In the present investigation, polyethylene-degrading microorganisms were isolated from plastic-contaminated soil samples using selective enrichment techniques. The isolates were screened for their ability to utilize polyethylene as a sole carbon source, and their biodegradation efficiency was quantitatively evaluated through time-dependent weight-loss analysis under controlled laboratory conditions. Inoculated polyethylene samples exhibited a progressive reduction in weight, whereas no measurable change was observed in uninoculated controls, confirming the biological nature of the degradation process. Among the isolated strains, isolate F3 demonstrated the highest degradation efficiency, achieving a maximum polyethylene weight reduction of 3.84% after 60 days of incubation. The findings of this study emphasize the biodegradation potential of indigenous soil microorganisms and highlight their possible application in the development of eco-sustainable strategies for polyethylene waste management.
Shwetal Raju Chinchole, Dr. Sandip Wagh, Dr. Razia Kutty· Genetics and Molecular Resea...· 0 citations
Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE) is one of the most abundantly produced synthetic polymers, and its non-biodegradable properties have led to a huge environmental buildup. The main objective of this study was to isolate microorganisms that can degrade LDPE from plastic contaminated sites using proven microbiological and laboratory techniques. Soil and water samples were obtained from sites where plastic was abundantly available, and microorganisms were isolated using conventional serial dilution and plating methods. The isolated microorganisms were tested for LDPE degradation on Bushnell-Hass medium containing LDPE as a sole carbon source on solid plate and liquid cultures as a part of screening. The microorganisms that can live in a carbon-deficient environment suggested that they are able to exist in a LDPE-rich environment. The alteration of the LDPE was analyzed using Attenuated Total Reflectance-Fourier Transform Infra-Red (ATR-FTIR) Spectroscopy to demonstrate the chemical modification. Notable differences in the FTIR spectrum from those of the unaltered samples confirmed the interaction of the microbes with LDPE. Promising bacteria was characterized morphologically, culturally and biochemically and analyzed by Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS), a common method for the identification of microorganisms. The significance of this study lies in the potential of the indigenous microorganisms in the biodegradation of LDPE.
Bhavin R. Kansara, Tanvi Tamakuwala, Prajwal Poojary et al.· International Journal For Mu...· 0 citations
Marine plastic pollution is a critical environmental problem in Indonesian coastal waters, where inadequate waste management and high population density contribute substantially to plastic leakage into the marine environment. Indigenous plastic-degrading bacteria offer a potentially low-cost bioremediation strategy, yet locally isolated strains remain poorly characterized. This study aimed to isolate, screen, and molecularly identify indigenous bacteria capable of degrading polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and low-density polyethylene (LDPE) from seawater, sediment, and plastic-debris samples collected at three stations in Bungus Bay, Padang City, West Sumatra. From 42 morphologically distinct colonies, five isolates with the largest clear zones were selected and identified through 16S rRNA gene sequencing as strains related to Bacillus cereus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Rhodococcus ruber, Achromobacter xylosoxidans, and Bacillus subtilis. Quantitative degradation assays conducted in triplicate over 90 days showed that a three-isolate consortium achieved the highest weight loss of PET (16.3%) and LDPE (11.2%), significantly exceeding single-isolate treatments and abiotic controls (ANOVA, Duncan’s test, p < 0.05). FTIR analysis confirmed polymer oxidation, with carbonyl indices increasing from 0.18 to 0.34 for PET and from 0.05 to 0.21 for LDPE. These findings demonstrate considerable biodegradation potential under laboratory conditions, although field validation is required before in-situ application for marine bioremediation purposes.
Kun Mardiwati Rahayu, Yuli Hardina· Science Get Journal· 0 citations
