biodegrdation of plastics

1. Title:
Isolation of fungus from dump soil and biodegradation of Plastics
(HDPE,LDPE)
Presented by
Hassan Yousaf
Presented to Dr.
Pervez
Roll no: 20204022-
014
Department of
Biological Sciences
University of Sialkot

2. Introduction
Polythene and plastic waste are found to
accumulate in the environment, posing a major
ecological threat.
They are found to be considered non-
degradable. Accounts for 60% total plastic
production. Research is being carried to make
plastic degradable
Microbes specially Fungal strains qualify as a
suitable candidate for LDPE degradation. As
LDPE accumulation in the environment is a
serious threat.
Fungi were chosen as they are highly diverse and
they play a major role in decomposition of
lignocellulose polymer and posses wider
metabolic capabilities.

3. Hypothesis
Fungal strains
could be used to
degrade HDPE
and LDPE.
Fungal
consortium can
be used in
degradation of
different types
of plastic.

4. Objectives
Isolation of
fungal strains
from dump
places involved
in degradation
of plastic
Evaluate the
biodegradation
of plastic
biofilms by
exposing them
to fungal
strains.

5. Materials and method
The
morphological
identification of
the fungal
isolates was
done by
performing lacto
phenol cotton
blue staining.
• Morph
ological
test
M1 broth was used
to enrich fungus,
These flasks were
incubated in a
shaker , for
morphology lacto
phenol cotton blue
staining is done.
• screeni
ng
Few grams of soil
was taken, added
to distilled water
and added to
dextrose agar
plate and
incubated for 48
hours at 25’c.
• Isolatio
n of
microb
es
LDPE and
HDPE films
were cut into
small strips and
were sterilized
with 70 %
ethanol.
The LDPE and
HDPE sheets
which were 6 by
6cm in length
used in this study
were provided by
Dr. Zahid hussain
Associate
professor at
UOG.
• polyeth
ene
Landfill soil was
collected from
landfill area Ahmed
nager chattah
Pakistan, and was
used for the
isolation of LDPE-
degrading
microorganisms.
• Sample
collecti
on

6. Continue
• After incubation of 90 days, the degrading capacity of the
fungal strain was analyzed The washed films were dried
overnight at 60 C before weighing.

7. Possible Results
Chances of presence
of A. Niger, A.
crysogenum
A.japonicas, A.
terreus, A. flavus and
Mucor sp. from
polluted soil sample.
Chances of 35-
40%Weight
reduction of
plastic would
take place.
The structural analysis
by FTIR is the important
parameter to identify
the structural changes
which appear during
degradation responsible
for weight loss.
The AFM
micrographs
demonstrate
localized
degradation
Surface
erosion of
plastic strips

8. Possible Mechanism of degradation
Several studies reported that different families of enzymes are involved
namely Laccases, lipases, proteases, cutinases and peroxidases.

9. Future perspective
Detailed molecular
mechanism is poorly
understood, There is
need of complete
research to reveal
mechanism.
Gene
characterization
is needed.
Enzyme
characterization