Biodegradation of Low-density Polyethylene (LDPE) Strips from Waste Plastic Bags Using Marine-derived Fungi

Abo El-Souad, Sayed M. S.

doi:10.30491/jabr.2024.455262.1727

Biodegradation of Low-density Polyethylene (LDPE) Strips from Waste Plastic Bags Using Marine-derived Fungi

Document Type : Original Article

Author

Sayed M. S. Abo El-Souad

Department of Botany and Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Cairo University, Giza 12613, Egypt

10.30491/jabr.2024.455262.1727

Abstract

Introduction: Plastic in any form is harmful to the environment. Its non-degradable nature leads to plastic pollution. Various chemical and biological methods have been attempted to address this issue, but chemical approaches have often resulted in pollution due to the release of toxic gases. Biodegradation is one of the methods that has received much attention in recent years. This study focused on the biodegradation of plastic waste bags using five marine-derived fungal strains isolated from Red Sea.
Materials and Methods: The sediment samples were collected from the Red Sea. Samples were subjected to fungal isolation using the serial dilution and spread plate technique. Fungal species isolates were evaluated for degradation activity toward low-density polyethylene (LDPE) strip samples. The degraded plastic strips were analyzed for weight loss, AFM, SEM, and GC-MS to identify degradation byproducts.
Results: The results showed that only two fungal strains (Aspergillus terreus (OQ271754) and Alternaria alternata (OQ282860)) exhibited significant degradation activity over 8 weeks, leading to a weight loss of 45.83% and 29.16% in the degraded plastic strips, respectively. AFM and SEM images of the degraded strips by these strains revealed a noticeable change in surface roughness and close attachment of spores compared to control strips. GC-MS analysis of degradation byproducts identified several compounds, with Bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate being the major compound. Toxicity testing of this compound on Wheat seeds showed a significant impact on seed germination.
Conclusions: This study demonstrates the potential of marine-derived fungi to degrade plastic materials through the action of their secondary metabolites, resulting in significant weight loss and changes in surface texture.

Keywords

LDPE Biodegradation

Marine-derived Fungi

AFM

SEM

GC-MS

Byproducts Toxicity