Novel consortia of Enterobacter and Pseudomonas formulated from cow dung exhibited enhanced biodegradation of polyethylene and polypropylene

Abstract

This study prioritizes the biodegradation potential of novel bacterial consortia formulated from cow dung samples towards low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and polypropylene (PP) in comparison with our previous studies. Ten possible consortia were formulated using 10 selected isolates with >10% weight reduction of LDPE and PP, these were pre-treated under UV for 1 h, and their biodegradation potential was studied for 160 days. The isolates present in prioritized consortia were characterized by standard microbiology and 16SrRNA gene sequencing methods. Out of 10 bacterial consortia formulated, potential consortium-CB3 showed greater percentage degradation (weight reduction) of 64.25 ± 2% and 63.00 ± 2% towards LDPE and PP films, respectively (p < 0.05) at 37 °C compared to other consortia. Significant structural variations due to the formation of bacterial biofilm were observed in CB3 treated LDPE and PP films. The three bacteria-IS1, IS2, and IS3-that constituted CB3 were found to be novel strains and designated to be Enterobacter sp nov. bt DSCE01, Enterobacter cloacae nov. bt DSCE02, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa nov. bt DSCE-CD03, respectively. This novel consortium can be scaled up for enhanced degradation of plastic polymers and probably design cost-effective bio-digester for industrial applications using CB3 as potential inoculum.