Biodegradation
of polypropylene films by Bacillus paralicheniformis and Lysinibacillus fusiformis
isolated from municipality solid waste contaminated soil
Kaviraj Ramesh, Mridul Umesh and Kathirvel Preethi
Res. J. Chem. Environ; Vol. 25(7); 71-78;
doi: https://doi.org/10.25303/257rjce7121; (2021)
Abstract
The fossil fuel or petroleum derived plastics are applied in our routine life because
of their easy availability. Distribution and contamination of the plastics in the
landfills are the major reasons for these biodegradation study. This current study
reveals the biodegradation of polypropylene films and the growth of Bacillus paralicheniformis
and Lysinibacillus fusiformis isolated from plastic contaminated soil collected
from municipality solid waste management site.
The degradation rate of PP films was confirmed by the results of biodegradation
analysis. The growth of Bacillus paralicheniformis and Lysinibacillus fusiformis
had shown OD values at 600nm after the degradation period of 4 weeks increasing
from 0.131 to 0.334 and 0.148 to 0.213 respectively. The viable cell count increased
from 8×104cells/ml to 12×104cells/ml and 10.1×104 cells/ml to 15.2×104 cells/ml
respectively. The physical and chemical changes of PP films were confirmed by FT-IR
and XRD analysis. These analysis confirmed that the bacterial strains have the ability
to change the chemical and physical nature of PP films and can utilize the PP films
as sole carbon source.
