Exploration of low-density polyethylene degrading Actinomycetes from dumping site

Abstract

Low density polyethylene, a type of plastic, is frequently used as a material for packaging (LDPE). The ongoing accumulation of plastic in the environment harms the biosphere. It takes too long time for plastic to decompose naturally. The most environmentally acceptable solution to this persistent and expanding issue is the microbial degradation approach. The major objective of the current study is to identify and screen actinomycetes that degrade low density polyethylene. To eliminate plastic from the environment and stop the accumulation of plastic. A total 141 actinomycetes have been isolated from the soil at dumping site in Rajkot. 16 Actinomyces are obtained after these were screened by primary screening (solid medium and liquid medium) utilizing low density polyethylene powder. 8 of these isolates were assigned a high ability to degrade LDPE after further examination utilizing the clear zone method on these samples. The film degradation assay was used to determine the percentage of degradation, and the most promising isolate was located at dumping. Further SEM analysis confirmed the degradation of LDPE beads.