Development of Fungal Consortium to Degrade the Polyethylene Polymer and Polystyrene

Abstract

In our day-to-day life we are facing many problems and struggles. In that, the one of the main problem is plastic accumulation. Plastic is a synthetic polymer that is widely used in almost every field of life. The massive use of this synthetic polymer has led to the accumulation of this polymer in the environment thus polluting the environment. The general techniques in preventing plastic waste as landfill, incineration, recycling are considered less effective as they release some hazardous materials to the environment. Since last few decades the uncontrolled use of plastics for various purposes such as packaging, transportation, industry and agriculture in rural as well as urban areas, has elevated serious issue of plastic waste disposal and its pollution. The efficient decomposition of plastic bags takes about 1000 years. Thus, the appropriate technique is needed to overcome this problem. Biodegradation is an enzymatic degradation involving some microorganisms including bacteria, fungus. The work presented here for the degradation of polyethylene polymer and polystyrene by the fungal isolate. Seven soil samples were collected from different sites in and around Coimbatore and Tirupur district. Isolation was done by the serial dilution and spread plate method in that we took Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, Fusarium sp, Penicillium sp. Fungi were isolated on Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) medium and screen on minimal salt medium (MSM) and Potato Dextrose Broth supplemented with polyethylene powder and polystyrene. Four fungi inoculated together in a Potato Dextrose Broth supplemented with polystyrene. The extent of biodegradation on the polyethylene polymer and polystyrene was assessed by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) techniques. This technique can be used to prevent the plastic waste problem.