Characterization of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) films degraded using bacteria strains isolated from oil contaminated soil

Abstract This study assessed the low-density polythene (LDPE) film degradation potential of microorganisms isolated from oil contaminated soil, and characterizing the LDPE films after degradation period by analyzing the morphological and chemical composition. The bacteria strains isolated from petroleum contaminated soils were used as bio-degraders for the analysis and isolates with great degradation activity were identified via 16S RNA gene amplification technique. The growth rates of the bacterial isolates and their LDPE utilization in the medium were monitored for 78 days, using UV spectrophotometry. Thereafter, the LDPE in the media were quantitatively and qualitatively analysed. Results obtained from weight loss measurement, scanning electron microscope (SEM) images and energy dispersal x-ray (EDX) revealed a reduction in weight, porosity and fragility of all the analyzed LDPE films that were subjected to bacteria degradation. Isolates with good degradation of LDPE films were identified as Proteus mirabilis (Accession number: MN124173.1) and Proteus mirabilis (Accession number: KY027145.1), having a weight loss of 89.72% and 71.80% respectively. The identification and utilization of potential LDPE microbial degraders are useful in the management of plastic waste, leading to a reduction in global plastic waste and a clean environment.