Abstract
Low-density polyethylene (LDPE) is a conventionally used polymer and possesses diverse applications in various industries due to its low cost, excellent strength, and numerous mechano-thermal properties. Unfortunately, the deliberate and unconscious release of excess polythene in the environment causes serious ecological threat. To deal with this issue, biodegradation of LDPE was considered using different fungal strains, namely Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus versicolor, and Fusarium solani isolated from local municipal dump yard in Chennai, India. For degradation study, the polymers were subjected to microbial cultures for 60 days under laboratory conditions. The extent of the degradation was quantified in terms of the weight loss of the LDPE films, pH changes of the culture medium, mineralization, and analysed by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. FESEM micrographs revealed the fungal colonization on the polythene matrix due to their metabolic activities, whereas FTIR spectra showed the changes in chemical nature of the polymer films and confirmed the biodegradation of LDPE. By comparing the reduction in dry weight of LDPE strips and Sturm test results, A. versicolor strain was found to be a potential LDPE-degrading candidate than A. flavus and F. solani and, hopefully, can address the global issue of polymer pollution.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.