Degradation of low density polyethylene by pseudomonas species

Abstract

Polyethylene degrading bacteria naturally exist in our environment and are finding ways to degrade polyethylene by natural means can help our environment to reduce pollution. In this project, we had studied the degradation of low density polyethylene by pseudomonas species. Non biodegradable low density polyethylene films were supplied from NTUC Corporation which is exposed to 2 wild {Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC & Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAOI) strains and two plant pathogens (Putida & Syringae) of Pseudomonas species. Low density polyethylene films were inoculated with Pseudomonas strains in the basal mineral medium devoid of carbon source using polyethylene as a whole carbon source. The experiments were performed separately for each bacteria strain. The films were removed at regular interval for measuring weight changes, mechanical properties (elongation at break and load at elongation), morphological changes (by Scanning Electron Microscopy) and chemical changes (by Gas chromatography-Mass spectrometry).