Selection of microorganisms capable of polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) degradation

• Published in: Microbiological research 2023-02, Vol.267, p.127251-127251, Article 127251
• Main Authors: Wróbel, Mariusz, Szymańska, Sonia, Kowalkowski, Tomasz, Hrynkiewicz, Katarzyna
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Bacteria; Decomposition; Fungi; Microplastics; Plastic degradable microorganisms
• ISSN: 0944-5013; 1618-0623
• DOI: 10.1016/j.micres.2022.127251

Microorganisms degrade microplastics, but their potential is still not fully exploited, e.g., due to inadequate selection of microorganisms. We developed an effective selection method of microorganisms capable of polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) degradation and assessed the scale of polymer degradation by microbial populations. We isolated seven bacterial strains (three Priestia megaterium strains, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas fluorescens, Enterobacter ludwigii, Chryseobacterium sp.) and seven fungal strains (four Fusarium spp., two Lecanicillium spp. and Trichoderma sp.) with PE degradation potential, as well as seven bacterial strains (five Serratia marcescens and two Enterobacter spp.) and six fungal strains (four Aspergillus spp., Fusarium oxysporum and Penicillium granulatum) with PP degradation ability. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis confirmed the presence of a biofilm and revealed surface changes in both PE and PP pellets, but the greatest changes (microcracks and corrugations) were observed for PP incubated with bacteria. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy confirmed the structural changes on the studied polymer surfaces. In conclusion, the isolation of plastic-degrading bacteria and fungi from waste landfills represents an effective strategy for the collection of microorganisms with high potential for PE and PP degradation. The bacteria and fungi revealed better potential for PP degradation and PE degradation, respectively. •Microorganisms cultured and isolated from landfill soil material showed varying affinities for the two polymer types.•Bacteria show a higher degradation potential towards polypropylene.•Fungi show greater degradation potential towards polyethylene.•A 90-day exposure of polymers to selected microorganisms can cause changes in both their external (SEM) and internal structures (FTIR).