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- Title
Biodegradation of Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE) by Halophilic Bacteria Isolated from Solar Saltpans, Kovalam, Chennai.
- Authors
Fathima, Fahmida; Shahina, S. K. Jasmine; Rafiq, Summera; Ramesh, K. Vijaya
- Abstract
Saltpan is an extreme environment, which inhabit organisms that survive at very high salinities, high temperatures and withstand severe solar radiations. Halophilic bacteria have been isolated from different hypersaline conditions like salt lakes, natural and artificial solar saltpans. In the present study, a total of two overlaying saltpan water samples were collected from different sites of saltpans from Kovalam in Chennai, of which 8 distinct halophilic bacterial isolates were obtained. Optimization of growth parameters of the isolated halophilic bacteria was done in order to determine the optimum NaCl, temperature, pH and LDPE source required for their growth. The optimum NaCl, temperature, pH, and LDPE source required for their growth were as follows: 20%, 40oC, pH 9-10 and 0.5% LDPE source. Out of the 8 isolates which were tested, only two of them showed some measure of hydrophobicity. Clear zone assay was done to detect the biodegradation of LDPE (Low Density Polyethylene) by halophilic bacteria. Of the 8 isolates 2/8 (28%) isolates showed clearance around the colony showing their potential to degrade LDPE. SEM analysis of LDPE film treated with the halophilic bacterial isolate showed that there were several cracks and pits on the surface which developed after 60 days of treatment in comparison to the control film. The halophilic bacteria Nesiotobacter exalbescens and Bacillus vietnamensis were perhaps for the first time reported from the hypersaline lakes of Chennai in this study.
- Subjects
KOVALAM (India); LOW density polyethylene; BIODEGRADATION; HALOBACTERIUM; SALT pans (Geology)
- Publication
Nature Environment & Pollution Technology, 2018, Vol 17, Issue 4, p1367
- ISSN
0972-6268
- Publication type
Article