Abstract

ISOLATION AND SCREENING OF LOW DENSITY POLYETHYLENE (LDPE) DEGRADING BACTERIAL STRAINS FROM WASTE DISPOSAL SITES

Kartikey Kumar Gupta, Deepa Devi* and Deepanshu Rana

Abstract

Synthetic polymers such as polyethylene are widely used in agriculture, construction, packaging, health care, and medicine. These are resistant to microbial attack, hence create serious threat to the environment. The aim of this research was to isolate and screen bacterial strains for the biodegradation of LDPE. For this purpose, 42 bacterial strains isolated from different waste disposal sites of Haridwar region were screened on minimal salt media plates. The biodegradation activity of the isolates was investigated with the help of clear zone method by using LDPE powder as the sole carbon source in minimal salt medium. Zone of clearance was detected by the use of coomassie blue solution. 7 isolates demonstrated positive results for clear zone around the bacterial colonies. On the basis of morphological and biochemical characterization the bacterial isolates were probably identified as Bacillus sp., Pseudomonas sp. and Micrococcus sp.

Keywords: Low density polyethylene, Plastic waste, Biodegradation, Clear zone.