Abstract

POLYTHENE DEGRADATION IN PRESENCE AND ABSENCE OF A CARBON SOURCE BY FUNGI ISOLATED FROM DUMPING YARDS NEAR TO SEA SHORE

Satyalakshmi S.*, Hussain G., Sandeep K., Noorie S. and Vasundhara M.

ABSTRACT

Dumping yards present coastal region of Vizag contains a rich source of polythene degrading microorganisms. Among other organisms fungi present abundantly, because of suitable temperature availability, in coastal regions. Totally 38 fungal organisms were isolated and 32 isolates were having polythene degrading ability from moderate to significant level by forming zone on polythene powder containing basal mineral agar medium. Only two fungal isolates which were having more significant activity were studied and identified morphologically. In the presence of glucose as carbon source there was negligible weight loss in polythene bags. By incorporating complex carbon sources like starch and glycerol the fungal isolates resulted nearly 12 and 18% of weight loss of polythene bags in 20 days. In the absence of carbon source weight loss of polythene bags increased up to 30%. The holes on SEM images also confirmed that the fungal isolates were having polythene degradation activity. Morphological studies revealed that the two isolates belong to Aspergillus and Mucor sp.

Keywords: Coastal region, SEM images, glycerol, starch, polythene bags.