Isolation and identification of plastic degrading bacteria from dumpsites Lagos

Emmanuel-Akerele, Hilda Abiola; Akinyemi, Priscilla; Igbogbo-Ekpunobi, Oritsematosan E.

doi:10.22104/aet.2022.5268.1428

Isolation and identification of plastic degrading bacteria from dumpsites Lagos

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

¹ Department of Biological Sciences, Anchor University Lagos, Nigeria

² Department of Microbiology, University of Benin, Nigeria

10.22104/aet.2022.5268.1428

Abstract

Plastic pollution is a threat to the environment because of its slow degradation rate and high usage. The continuous accumulation of these synthetic plastic wastes poses an ever-increasing threat to animals, humans, and the environment. The use of microorganisms to effectively degrade plastic waste can provide a solution to this problem. This study aims to isolate plastic degrading microorganisms from soils taken from the Alimosho local government area of Lagos State, Nigeria. The soil samples were collected from dumpsites filled with plastic and plastic materials. The effectiveness of the degradation of plastic materials was studied over six (6) weeks in broth and agar culture under laboratory conditions by the weight determination method. Physicochemical and microbiological analysis was carried out on the various soil samples using standard protocols. The biodegradation of polyethylene and polystyrene was done in-vitro using the microorganisms isolated from the soil. The following microorganisms were able to degrade a higher percentage of the plastic materials; Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus sp, Bacillus sp, and Escherichia coli. The total viable count for bacteria was within the range of 11.8×10⁵ to 2.0×10¹⁰CFU/g. Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus sp, Bacillus sp, and Micrococcus sp degraded plastic up to 25%, 31.2%, 25%, and 31.2%, respectively. These isolates may be used to actively degrade plastics, thereby reducing the rate of plastic pollution in our ecosystem.

Keywords

Main Subjects

environmental microbiology and biotechnology

References

[1] Sakhalkar, S. and Mishra R.L. (2011). Screening and identification of soil fungi with potential of plastic degrading ability. Indian journal of applied research, 3(12), 62-64.

[2] Emmanuel-Akerele, H. A., Akinyemi, P. O. (2022). Physico-chemical and microbiological assessment of soils from dumpsites for plastic degrading microorganisms. Pollution, 8(2), 501-512.

[3] Hossain, K. S., Das, S., Kundu, S., Afrin, S., Nurunnabi, T. R. and Rahman, S. M. M. (2019). Isolation and characterization of polythene degrading bacteria from garbage soil. International journal of agriculture environment and bioresearch, 4(5), 254-263.

[4] Jambeck, J. R., Geyer, R., Wilcox, C., Siegler, T. R., Perryman, M., Andrady, A and Law K. L. (2015). Plastic waste inputs from land into the ocean. Science, 347(6223), 768-771.

[5] Patil, R. C. (2018). Screening and characterization of plastic degrading bacteria from garbage soil. British Journal of environmental sciences, 6(4), 33-36.

[6] Afreen, B., Nouman, N. R., and Saima, I. (2020). Characterization of plastic degrading bacteria isolated from landfill sites. International journal of clinical microbiology and biochemical technology, 4(1), 30-35.

[7] Sharma, J. G., Tapasuita U., Ashima N., Krittika A., Puja M., and Arup. (2014). Isolation and characterization of plastic degrading bacteria from soil collected from the dumping grounds of an industrial area. International journal of advanced and innovative research, 3(3), 2278-7844.

[8] Adeolu, O. A. and Tope, C. F. (2012). Environmental and health concerns associated with the open dumping of municipal solid waste: A Lagos, Nigeria experience. American journal of environmental engineering, 2(6), 160-165.

[9] Wanger, A., Chavez, V., Huang, R., Wahed, A., Dasgupta, A., and, Jung. A. K. (2017). Microbiology and Molecular Diagnosis in Pathology: A Comprehensive Review for Board Preparation, Certification and Clinical Practice. 1,98- 101.

[10] Corwin, D. L., and Yemoto, K. (2020). Salinity: Electrical conductivity and total dissolved solids. Soil science society of America journal, 84(5), 1442-1461.

[11] Oyeyiola G.P, and Agbaje A. B. (2013). Determination of the soil microflora of a soil near microbiology laboratory at the university of Ilorin main campus. Egyptian academic journal of biological sciences, 5(1), 35-41.

[12] Libretexts. (2021a). Bacterial colony morphology. Retrieved september 1, 2021, https://bio.libretexts.org/Learning_Objects/Laboratory_Experiments/Microbiology_Labs/Microbiology_Labs_I/08%3A_Bacterial_Colony_Morphology.

[13] Divyalakshmi S and Subhashini A. (2016). Screening and isolation of polyethylene degrading bacteria from various soil environments. Journal of environmental science, toxicology and food technology 10(12), 01-07.

[14] Priyanka, N., and Archana, T. (2011). Biodegradability of polythene and plastic by the help of microorganism: A way for brighter future. Journal of environmental and analytical toxicology, 1(2), 23-29.

[15] Eziuzor, C. S., and Okpokwasili G.C. (2009). Bioremediation of hydrocarbon contaminated mangrove soil in a bioreactor. Nigerian journal of microbiology, 23(1), 1777-1791.

[16] Arkatkar, A., Arutchelvi, J., Bhaduri, S., Uppara, P. V., and Doble, M. (2009). Degradation of un-pre-treated and thermally pre-treated polypropylene by soil consortia. International biodeterioration and biodegradation, 63(1), 106-111.

[17] Singh, V., Dubey, M., and Bhadauria, S. (2012). Microbial degradation of polyethylene (low density) by aspergillus fumigatus and penicillium sp. Asian journal of experimental and biological sciences, 3(3), 498-501.