Microbial degradation of low-density polyethylene by Neopestalotiopsis phangngaens is

[摘要] Low-density polyethylene (LDPE) has beencommercially used and accumulated as plastic solidwaste. LDPE has also been found to be anon-degradable waste for decades and found as apollution source in the environment. In this study,65 fungi were screened for their biodegradation ofLDPE. The fungi Neopestalotiopsis phangngaensis,Alternaria burnsii, Alternaria pseudoeichhorniae,and Arthrinium sacchari showed significant potential in LDPE biodegradation. These fungi wereindividually cultured with an LDPE sheet as a carbon source for 90 days. A maximum weight loss ofthe LDPE sheet was detected by the fungusN. phangngaensis (54.34%). This fungus alsorevealed the highest reduction rate of tensilestrength of the LDPE sheet (0.33 MPa). The morphological surface of LDPE culturing withN. phangngaensis was crack, pit, and rough analyzed by scanning electron microscopy. The biodegradation of the LDPE sheet by N. phangngaensiswas also confirmed by the Sturm test and analysisof enzymatic activities. The Sturm test showed thehighest decomposition of the LDPE sheet byN. phangngaensis into CO2 with 2.14 g/L after incubation. Enzymatic activities of laccase, manganeseperoxidase, and lignin peroxidase enzymes werefound by N. phangngaensis during the LDPE degradation. The volatile organic compounds in culturesupernatant of N. phangngaensis were also investigated. The major compounds were 3Z-diethyl acetal hexenal, 2E,4E-decadienol, and 2Z-diethyl acetal hexenal. This study reveals the utilization of thefungus N. phangngaensis as the carbon source at aconsiderable biodegradation rate without any priortreatment. Therefore, the fungus N. phangngaensismay be applied as an alternative degrader for LDPEdegradation in the environment.

[学科分类] 微生物学和免疫学

[关键词] Biodegradation;fungi;polyethylene;Neopestalotiopsis