COMPARATIVE BIODEGRADATION OF SYNTHETIC POLYMERS LDPE HIPS AND NYLON 6 USING PLEUROTUS OSTREATUS

Abstract

newline A broad range of synthetic polymers are manufactured worldwide and striking amounts of these polymers are introduced in the ecosystem as litter waste and industrial waste. Synthetic polymers are used upto 30% in packaging of various industrial products. Without appropriate waste management, this will lead to increased plastic waste. In the present study degradative ability of Pleurotus ostreatus was tested against Low density polyethylene, NYLON 6 and High Impact Polystyrene. Growth and enzyme activity were optimized to attain maximum degradability with parameters like pH, temperature and initial carbon source. Enumeration of degradation with loss of weight was further analysed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and Scanning electron microscope and Universal testing machine analysis. It has been observed based on results that our test fungi showed better enzyme production with lignin as a initial carbon source (3.0g/l) in optimum temperature at 40ºC at a pH of 5. The Pleurotus ostreatus degrades NYLON 6 by much higher level (45.7%) followed by Low density polyethylene (36.9%) and High Impact Polystyrene (27%) in Optimized Mineral salt medium with lignin as initial carbon source. Changes in functional groups variation in transmittance were observed in Low density polyethylene, High Impact Polystyrene and Nylon 6 through Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis confirmed degradation. Our test fungi also degrades Coir by reducing the lignin content from 30.6% to 6.2% within 30 days in Solid substrate fermentation with Nylon 6 (36%).