Citation: Sangale MK, Shahnawaz M, Ade AB (2012) A review on Biodegradation of Polythene: The Microbial Approach. J Bioremed Biodeg 3:164.
doi:10.4172/2155-6199.1000164
Page 2 of 9
blockage of their digestive tract. It is also found that the polythene
Sources of The Polythene Degrading Microbes
remains undigested in the stomach of the animals, after the death of
Following sites (Table 1) were reported to be rich source of
the animals the polythene is again being eaten by some other animal
polythene degrading microbes:
and the cycle continues [27]. The undigested polythene was found to be
responsible for various problems in the animals such as (1) during the a. Rhizosphere soil of mangroves.
digestion the fermentation process and mixing of the other contents
b. Polythene buried in the soil.
were hampered due to ingested polythene and leads to indigestion;
(2) the ingested polythene blocks the opening between omasum and c. Plastic and soil at the dumping sites.
reticulum which leads to death of the animal if the polythene will not
d. Marine water.
be removed, (3) impaction: due to accumulation of large quantity of
polythene bags rumen becomes impact which leads to remenatony; (4)
Mechanism of Polythene Biodegradation
tympany: due to blockage of the reticulum and omasum with polythene,
The degradation of polythene begins with the attachment of
accumulation of gases takes place in rumen, which leads to death of
microbes to its surface. Various bacteria (Streptomyces viridosporus
the animal if not removed properly; (5) polybezoars: In the digestive
T7A, Streptomyces badius 252, and Streptomyces setonii 75Vi2) and
track around the polythene deposition of salt takes place that leads to
wood degrading fungi produced some extracellular enzymes which
formation of stone like structure which hampers the food passages and
leads of degradation of polythene [35,36,7]. In wood degrading fungi,
leads to pain and inflammation of rumen; (10) immunosuppression:
the extracellular enzymatic complex (ligninolytic system) contains
the accumulation of polythene in the stomach of the animals (cow)
peroxidases, laccases and oxidases which leads to the production of
leads to increased sensitivity to infections such as haemorrhagic
extracellular hydrogen peroxide [37]. Depending upon the type of the
septicemia [27]. The widely used packaging plastic (mainly polythene)
organism or strain and culture condition, the characteristics of this
constitutes about 10% of the total municipal waste generated around
enzyme system varies [38]. For degradation of lignin, three enzymes
the globe [28]. As per literature, every year hundred thousand tons of
such as lignin peroxidase (LiP), manganese peroxidase (MnP) and
plastics have been degraded in the marine environment resulting death
phenoloxidase containing copper also known as laccase [7,39]. Based
[29]. The use of polythene is increasing every day and its degradation
on the capabilities of these lingolytic enzymes, they are being used in
is becoming a great challenge. In the year 2000 about 57 million tons
various industries such as agricultural, chemical, cosmetic, food, fuel,
of plastic waste was generated around the world annually [30]. Only a
paper, textile, and more interesting point is that they are also reported to
fraction of this polythene waste is recycled whereas most of the wastes
be involved in the degradation of xenobiotic compounds and dyes [39].
enter into the landfills and take hundreds of years to degrade [28-31].
During lignin degradation, phenolic compounds are being oxidized in
the presence of H2O2 and manganese by manganese peroxidase (MnP).
Cost Effective Methods of Polythene Degradation
MnP oxidizes Mn-II to Mn-III and monomeric phenols [40], phenolic
The process which leads to any physical or chemical change in lignin dimmers [41] and synthetic lignin [42] are in turn oxidized by
polymer properties as a result of environmental factors (such as light,
Mn-III via the formation of phenoxy radicals [36]. There is no such
heat and moisture etc.), chemical condition or biological activity is said
report in case of polythene degradation but a similar trend is predicted.
to be polymer degradation [32]. Based on the factors responsible for
The byproducts of the polythene varied depending upon the conditions
the degradation of the polymers, three types of polymer degradation
of degradation. Under aerobic conditions, CO2, water and microbial
methods are cited in the literature such as photodegradation, thermo- biomass are the final degradation products whereas in case of anaerobic/
oxidative degradation and biodegradation [13]. The biodegradation
methanogenic condition CO2, water, methane and microbial biomass
is a natural process of degrading materials through microbes such as
are the end products and under sulfidogenic condition H2S, CO2 and
bacteria, fungi and algae [29]. The biodegradation involves microbial
H2O and microbial biomass are reported to be the end products [5].
agents and does not require heat. Organic material can be degraded
Determination of Polythene Degradation
in two ways either aerobically or anaerobically. In landfills and
sediments, plastics are degraded anaerobically while in composite and
The level of polythene degradation can be determined by the various
soil, aerobic biodegradation takes place. Aerobic biodegradation leads
methods as well as analytical techniques and the detail is given in Table
to the production of water and CO2 and anaerobic biodegradation
1. At topographical level, the Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) are
results in the formation of water, CO2 and methane as end products
being used to see the level of scission and attachment of the microbes
[33]. Generally, the conversion of the long chain polymer into CO2
on the surface of the polythene before and after the microbial attack
and water is complex process. In this process, various different
[43]. The microdestruction of the small samples is widely analyzed by
types of microorganisms are needed, with one leads to breakdown
an important tool such as Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy
of the polymer into smaller constituents, one utilizes the monomers
(FT-IR), and due to the recent up-gradation of this instrument the
and excrete simple waste compounds as by products and one uses
map of the identified compounds on the surface of the sample can
the excreted waste. The efficiency of this method is moderate but is
be documented via collection of large number of FT-IR spectra [44].
environment friendly. This method is cheap and widely accepted [13].
To measure the physical changes of the polythene after the microbial
Depending upon the formulation of the biodegradable polythene carry
attack various parameters are usually used to determine the weight
bags, three types along with one standard polythene, were studied for
loss, percentage of elongation and change in tensile strength (Table
their degradation potential in the marine water. It was reported that
1). The products from polythene degradation are also characterized
after 40 weeks of exposure period the surfaces of the biodegradable
using various techniques such as Thin Layer Chromatography
polythene carry bags degraded less than 2% whereas the degradation of
standard polythene was negligible [34]. The major consequences in the (TLC), High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) and Gas
bio-degradation of polythene are enlisted briefly in the Table 1. Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) (Table 1).
J Bioremed Biodeg
Volume 3 " Issue 10 " 1000164
ISSN: 2155-6199 JBRBD, an open access journal
Citation: Sangale MK, Shahnawaz M, Ade AB (2012) A review on Biodegradation of Polythene: The Microbial Approach. J Bioremed Biodeg 3:164.
doi:10.4172/2155-6199.1000164
Page 3 of 9
Sr. Title of the paper Type of the Techniques used to Source of the Major findings/ Level of Name of the microbes / Reference
No. polythene used assess polythene microbes used conclusions/inferences Identification enzymes responsible
degradation
1. Assessment of the Polythene carry Percentage of Plastic dumping After 3 months of regular Morphological Bacillius cerues and [56]
biodegradation of bags weight, surface sites shaking the polythene keys and Psedomonas sp.
polythene corrosion, tensile discs were corroded on Biochemical
strength the surface and tensile tests
strength decreases and
maximum 12.5% weight
loss was recorded.
2. Biodegradation of degradable Weight loss, The lignocellulose 50% reduction Not specified Streptomyces viridosporus [4]
degradable plastic plastic contained changes in tensile degrading in tensile strength (S. T7A, S. badius 252, and
polyethylene by pro-oxidant and strength, percent microorganisms viridosporus T7A). S. setonii 75Vi2 (bacteria)
Phanerochaete 6% starch elongation and (not specified the and Phanerochaete
and Streptomyces molecular weight site of collection) chrysosporium
species distribution (fungus)
3. Biodegradability Polythene bags Weight loss Five sources: After one month of Morphological B1(Pseudomonas), [57]
of polythene and and plastic cups Medicinal Garden incubation in both keys and B2(Bacillus subtilis),
plastic by the help soil, (B) Sewage bacterial and fungal biochemical B3(Staphylococcus
of microorganism: Water Soil, (C) isolates the maximum tests aureus), B4(Streptococcus
a way for brighter Energy Park degradation by fungi lactis), B5(Proteus
future soil, (D) Sludge (Aspergillus niger) and vulgaris),B6 (Micrococcus
Area soil, (E) bacteria (Streptococcus luteus), F1(Aspergillus
Agricultural lactis) was found as niger), F2(Aspergillus
Soil 12.25% and 12.5 % nidulance),
respectively F3(Aspergillus
flavus), F4 (Aspergillus
glaucus), F5(Penicillium)
4. Biodegradation of Branched Gravimetric and Soil 11% (gravimetric) and Molecular level Brevibaccillus borstelensis [58]
polyethylene by low-density molecular weight 30% (molecular) weights (Using 16S strain 707
the thermophilic (0.92 g cm-3) loss, FTIR loss was reported at 50oC rDNA)
bacterium polyethylene after 30 days
Brevibacillus
borstelensis.
5. Biodegradability Pure Changes in weight, Microbes of the For polyethylene blends Not specified Not applicable [29]
of polyethylene polyethylene tensile strength Baltic sea as the in the sea water very little
starch blends (5% starch) and morphology of incubation of microbial degradation
in sea water and modified polymer polymer samples was
polyethylene was carried out in observed in winter
films (8% starch) Baltic Sea water but in summer months
and polyethylene the weight loss of
with pro- polyethylene with the MB
degradant additive after 20 months
additives (master reached 26%
batch in amount
of 20%)
6. Biodegradation LPDE in the Sturm test where Sea water Per week maximum Morphological Aspergillus versicolor and [51]
of low density powdered form the degradation 4.1594 g/L of CO2 keys Aspergillus sp.
polyethylene was attributed to the was released after
(LDPE) by fungi amount of carbon degradation of the
isolated from dioxide evolved and polythene
marine water a SEM analysis.
SEM analysis
7. Biodegradation LDPE films Weight Known cultures The highest level of Not applicable Pseudomonas [55]
of low density measurements, but source was polythene degradation aeruginosa PAO1 (ATCC
polythene (LDPE) tensile strength not specified (weight loss) out of the 15729), Pseudomonas
by testing, FTIR-ATR four bacteria was found aeruginosa
Pseudomonas spectrophotometer as (ATCC 15692), Pseudomo-
species analyses, Scanning 20% by Pseudomonas nas putida (KT2440 ATCC
Electron Microscope aeruoginosa after 120 47054) and Pseudomonas
based analyses and days syringae (DC3000 ATCC
GC-MS analyses. 10862)
8. Biodegradation of linear low- FTIR spectroscopy, Source of the The starch content in the Not applicable Aspergillus niger, [59]
maleated linear density weight loss, SEM, microbes not blend was found directly Penicilliurn funiculosum,
low-density polyethylene DSC, TGA. specified but proportional to the he Chaetomium globosum,
polyethylene and torque blended known cultures rate of degradation. Thus, Gliocladiurn virens and
starch blends with starch were used higher the content of Pullularia pullulans
starch, higher will be the
degree of degradation.
J Bioremed Biodeg
Volume 3 " Issue 10 " 1000164
ISSN: 2155-6199 JBRBD, an open access journal
Citation: Sangale MK, Shahnawaz M, Ade AB (2012) A review on Biodegradation of Polythene: The Microbial Approach. J Bioremed Biodeg 3:164.
doi:10.4172/2155-6199.1000164
Page 4 of 9
9. Biodegradation of LDPE and Chemiluminescence, Polythene films Polythene films 75-85% Molecular Bacillus cereus, B. [53]
photo-degraded LLDPE ATR-FTIR and GC- were scattered (containing Fe stearate) level (16S megaterium, B. subtilis and
mulching films product analysis in agricultural and 31-67% ( containing rRNA gene Brevibacillus borstelensis
based on vegetable field Ca sequencing)
polyethylenes and after 30 days stearate) at 45oC leads
and stearates of were used for to reduction in carbonyl
calcium and iron the isolation of index
as pro-oxidant microbes
additives
10. Biofilm Branched Weight loss, Not specified 7.5% of polythene weight Not specified Rhodococcus ruber [54]
development of low-density SEM analysis loss after eight weeks (C208)
the polyethylene- (0.92 g cm-3) and formation of
degrading polyethylene extracellular protein
bacterium with an average and polysaccharide
Rhodococcus molecular in
ruber weight of biofilm of R. ruber
191,000 strain C208 on
polyethylene
11. Colonization, Branched Average Weight loss, 15 sites at which 8% of polyethylene Molecular level Rhodococcus ruber C208 [60]
biofilm formation low-density Scanning electron polyethylene degradation in 4 weeks (16S rDNA
and biodegradation (0.92 g cm-3) microscopy waste from sequencing)
of polyethylene polyethylene ATR and FTIR agricultural use
by a strain of (mainly films for
Rhodococcus soil mulching) had
ruber been buried
12. Comparison of the HDPE, LDPE FTIR, SEC American Type They concluded that the Known microbe Rhodococcus rhodochrous [61]
biodegradability and LLDPE with measurements, H Culture biodegradation is mainly was used ATCC 29672
of various a balanced NMR controlled by nature of
polyethylene content of spectroscopy and the pro-oxidant additive
films containing antioxidants and SEM and to a lesser extent
prooxidant pro-oxidants that of
additives the matrix
13. Degradation Low density Tensile strength, Plastics and soil After 45 days maximum Morphological Pseudomonas stutzeri [62]
assessment polythene and elongation and from the plastic change in percent keys and
of low density polythene percent of extension dumping site extension (73.38% biochemical
polythene (LDP) reduction), tensile tests
and polythene strength (0.01 N/cm2 and
(PP) by an it was similar even after
indigenous isolates 15 and 30 days) and
of Pseudomonas elongation (1.8cm) of the
stutzeri polythene was recorded
14. Diversity and HDPE and LDPE Mean weight Mangrove soil Nearly 5 % of weight loss Morphological Bacillus, [63]
effectiveness of sample from after a period of keys and Micrococcus,
tropical mangrove Suva, Fiji Islands eight weeks biochemical Listeria and
soil microflora on tests Vibrio
the degradation
of polythene carry
bags
15. Diversity of Municipal solid Weight loss and Municipal solid With the potential strain Morphological Total 250 isolates (165 [64]
cellulolytic waste cellulose enzyme waste, soil and (Trichoderma keys and belongs to fungi and 85
microbes and the production compost viride ) out of the 250 biochemical bacteria)
biodegradation of isolates (49 cellulolytic) tests
municipal solid after 60 days,
waste by a the average weight loss
potential strain was 20.10% in the plates
and 33.35% in the piles
16. Effect of pH on Polythene carry Weight loss Polythene 22.22 % of polythene Morphological Serretia marscence [65]
biodegradation bags dumping site degradation per month keys and
of polythene was recorded at pH 4, biochemical
by Serretia room temperature with tests
marscence regular shaking
17. Effect of pro- LDPE with Weight loss, Previously Maximum 47.2% weight Known isolates Aspergillus oryzae [46]
oxidants on average tensile strength reported fungi [59] loss, 51% reduction in was used
biodegradation of molecular and percentage of tensile strength and 62%
polyethylene weight of elongation, FTIR reduction in percentage
(LDPE) by 1,80,000 Daltons spectroscopy, SEM of elongation of LDPE
indigenous fungal and 8.7 PDI analyses (treated with manganese
isolate, Aspergillus stearate followed by UV
oryzae irradiation and incubation
with A. oryzae for 3
months).
J Bioremed Biodeg
Volume 3 " Issue 10 " 1000164
ISSN: 2155-6199 JBRBD, an open access journal
Citation: Sangale MK, Shahnawaz M, Ade AB (2012) A review on Biodegradation of Polythene: The Microbial Approach. J Bioremed Biodeg 3:164.
doi:10.4172/2155-6199.1000164
Page 5 of 9
18. Enviornmental Commercially Epifluorescence American Type After 243 days cross Known cultures Rhodococus [66]
biodegradation of environmentally microscopy, culture collection linking and chain scission were used rhodocorous ATCC
polyethylene degradable Scanning Electron and one was their was observed at higher 29672, Cladosporium
polythene Microscopy and own isolate temperatures leads to cladosporides ATCC
FTIR spectroscopy reduction in the molecular 20251 and Nocardia
weight steroids GK 911
19. Enzyme-mediated Extruded SEM and Not specified Organism BP/ Known cultures Staphylococcus epidermis [67]
biodegradation low-density FT-IR SU1 degrading the were used
of heat treated polyethylene polyethylene layer and
commercial (LDPE) with creating holes in it.
polyethylene 20-micron Different extracellular
by Staphylococcal thickness enzymes were
species responsible
for the degradation of
shredded polyethylene
20. High-density High-density Weight loss, Partially degraded After 30 days of Not specified Arthrobacter and [68]
polyethylene polyethylene percentage of polyethylene incubation was nearly Pseudomonas
(HDPE)-degrading (HDPE) crystallinity and along with soil 12% (Arthrobacter sp.) sp.
potential (Commercially Fourier transform samples and 15% (Pseudomonas
bacteria from available HDPE) infrared (FT-IR) adhering and sp)
marine ecosystem spectrum adjacent to it was
of Gulf of Mannar, collected from 15
India plastic
waste dumped
sites
21. Impact of soil Polythene carry Weight loss and Two types of In compost culture Both Following were [69]
composting using bags and cups reduction in tensile sources: naturally highest percentage of morphological predominant bacteria
municipal solid strength buried polythene weight loss (11.54%) keys and (Bacillus sp.,
waste on carry bags and was recorded in LDPE1 biochemical Staphylococcus sp.,
biodegradation of cups in municipal after 12 months whereas tests were used Streptococuus sp.,
plastics composite and highest percent loss Diplococcus
polythene strips in tensile strength was sp., Micrococcus sp.,
were intentionally reported with HDPE1 in Pseudomonas sp. and
buried in the same time of incubation Moraxella
composite soil sp) and fungi
along with the (Aspergillus
solid waste of niger, A. ornatus, A.
municipality nidulans, A. cremeus, A.
corporation flavus,
A. candidus and A.
glaucus) found to be
associated with degraded
polythene bags and cups
after 12 month
22. Investigation on LDPE and Change in tensile Municipal Pre-treated BPE10 after Morphological Bacillus cereus (C1) [70]
biodegradability BPE 10 (10 strength, percent compost yard 3 month of incubation keys,
of polyethylene % oxo- elongation, FT-IR with the B. cereus (C1) biochemical
by Bacillus cereus biodegeradable spectroscopy, changes its tensile tests and
strain Ma-Su additive) Contact angle and strength up to 17.036% molecular
isolated from surface energy and and 17.4o reduction in markers
compost SEM analyses Contact angl.
soil
23. Occurrence and Polyethylene Percentage of weight Soil samples in a After 8 weeks, only Not specified Pseudomonas [71]
recalcitrance of bag wastes loss refuse 1.19% weight loss was aeruginosa, Pseudomonas
polyethylene bag (pure water dumping site recorded when treated putida, Bacillus subtilis and
waste in Nigerian sachets) with 0.5 M HNO3 Aspergillus niger
soils followed by slight change
in the colour
24 Polymer Disposable Average weight loss, Nile River Delta The average reduction Morphological Eight Streptomyces [48]
Biodegradation plastic films change in tensile (Streptomyces), in the percent elongation keys strains and two fungi, M.
of disposable strength and percent Northern Regional with bacterial and fungal rouxii NRRL 1835 and
polyethylene by elongation Research Lab- cultures were recorded Aspergillus flavus
fungi oratory USDA as 28.5% and 46.5%
and Streptomyces (fungi Mucor rouxii respectively. This was
species 1835) their own preliminary report of
culture collection extracellular enzyme(s)
(Aspergillus responsible for degrading
flavus) of attacking degradable
polythene (ten days heat
treated)
J Bioremed Biodeg
Volume 3 " Issue 10 " 1000164
ISSN: 2155-6199 JBRBD, an open access journal
Citation: Sangale MK, Shahnawaz M, Ade AB (2012) A review on Biodegradation of Polythene: The Microbial Approach. J Bioremed Biodeg 3:164.
doi:10.4172/2155-6199.1000164
Page 6 of 9
25. Polythene and Polythene bags Percentage of weight Mangroves 20.54 Ä… 0.13 Morphological Streptococcus, [72]
plastics-degrading and plastic cups loss rhizosphere soil (Psedumonas sp.) 28.80 keys were used Staphylococcus,
microbes from the Ä… 2.40 (Aspergillus Micrococcus (Gram
mangrove soil glaucus) percent of +ve), Moraxella, and
weight loss per month in Pseudomonas (Gram  ve)
shaker culture and two species of fungi
(Aspergillus glaucus and
A. niger)
26. Polyethylene High-molecular- Changes in relative Not specified Relative elongation (91.2 Not specified Phanerochaete [7]
degradation by weight elongation Ä… 9.0 %) Relative tensile chrysosporium ME-446,
lignin-degrading polyethylene and relative strength (100.0 Ä… 1.3 Trametes versicolor
fungi and tensile strength %) were recorded using IFO 7043, and IZU-15413
manganese (Strograph-R3) MnP treated with 0.2mM
peroxidase and polyethylene MnSO4 and 50mM
molecular weight acetate. MnP is the key
distribution (Waters enzyme in polyethylene
model 150 -C) degradation by
lignin-degrading fungi
27. Polyethylene Degradable Percent weight loss Different types of When P. frequentans Morphological The most effective [50]
biodegradation polyethylene and emission of CO2 polythenes were and B. mycoides were keys and fungi and bacteria were
by a developed gas chromatography dumped under used together Weight biochemical Penicillium frequentans
Penicillium (GC) soil were used loss 7.150 % ( pre-heated tests and
Bacillus for isolation of at 70oC) and 6.657% Bacillus mycoides
biofilm microbes (unheated) after 60 days
after 2-4 years
28. Polythene Polythene carry Weight loss Polythene 25% of weight was Morphological Aspergillus niger [73]
degradation bags dumping site observed after 8 months keys
potential of with regular shaking
Aspergillus niger
29. Production of Starch- FTIR spectra, Lignocellulose- All three bacterial Known cultures Extracellular enzymes of [35]
an extracellular polyethylene- mechanical degrading extracellular enzyme were used the following microbes
polyethylene- prooxidant properties, and microbes but concentrates leads to such as Streptomyces
degrading degradable polyethylene source was not detectable changes in the badius 252, Streptomyces
enzyme(s) plastics molecular weight specified degradable plastic as setonii 75Vi2, and
by Streptomyces distributions determined by the FT-IR Streptomyces viridosporus
species spectrometer and tensile T7A
strength (kg/mm2) %
elongation strain energy
(Kg mm)
30. Screening of Low density Weight loss Garbage soil Actinomycetes Morphological Streptomyces KU8, [74]
polyethylene polyethylene samples (waste (Streptomyces KU8) keys and Streptomyces KU5,
degrading powder disposable site leads to 46.16% weight biochemical Streptomyces KU1,
microorganisms dumped with loss of the polythene tests Streptomyces
from garbage soil polythene bag whereas bacteria KU6,Pseudomonas sp.,
and plastic (Pseudomonas sp) and Bacillus sp.,
cup fungi (Aspergillus flavus) Staphylococcus sp.,
degraded only 37.09% Aspergillus nidulans and
and 20.63 % after six A. flavus
months
31. Studies on Polythene carry Weight loss, TLC, Plastic dumping After eight months Morphological Serratia marcescens [47]
biodegradation of bags GC-MS and FTIR sites, ARI, Pune of regular shaking keys and 724, Bacillus cereus,
polythene analyses and NCL Pune maximum percentage of Biochemical Pseudomonas aeruginosa
weight loss was recorded tests , Streptococus aureus
at room temperature with B-324, Micrococcus lylae
pH 4 i.e., 50% with fungi B-429, Phanerochaete
(Phanerochaete chrysosporiu, Pleurotus
chrysosporium) and ostretus, Aspergillus niger
35% with bacteria and Aspergillus glaucus
(Pseudomonas
aeruginosa)
32. Studies on the Natural Percentage of weight Three sites: 1. The highest weight loss Morphological Pseudomonas spp. (P1, [75]
biodegradation polyethylene loss Soil from domestic percentage of natural keys and P2, and P3)
of natural (6% vegetable waste disposal polythene (46.2%) and biochemical
and synthetic starch) and site. 2. Soil synthetic polythene tests
polyethylene by synthetic from textile (29.1%) was reported
Pseudomonas polyethylene effluents drainage with Pseudomonas sp.
spp site and 3. Soil collected from sewage
dumped with sludge dumping site
sewage sludge
J Bioremed Biodeg
Volume 3 " Issue 10 " 1000164
ISSN: 2155-6199 JBRBD, an open access journal
Citation: Sangale MK, Shahnawaz M, Ade AB (2012) A review on Biodegradation of Polythene: The Microbial Approach. J Bioremed Biodeg 3:164.
doi:10.4172/2155-6199.1000164
Page 7 of 9
33. Synergistic effect High density Tensile strength, High density Aspergillus oryzae Molecular level Aspergillus niger, [76]
of chemical and polyethylene percentage of polyethylene leads 72% reduction in (16S rDNA Aspergillus flavus and
photo treatment films of 0.1źm elongation, (HDPE) film percentage of elongation sequencing) Aspergillus oryzae
on the rate of thickness elongation break and buried in soil 3 and abiotically treated
biodegradation of FTIR months and then HDPE film clearly
high density analysis used as a sources showed generation of
polyethylene by of microbes carbonyl peak at 1718.32
indigenous fungal cm as compare to control
isolates
34. Thermally treated Powdered LDPE DSC, X-ray Not specified After 31 months Not specified Penicillium pinophilum and [52]
low density diffraction XRD, maximum 5% reduction Aspergillus niger
polyethylene FTIR and SEM in crystallinity (Aspergillus
biodegradation niger), 11.07% change
by Penicillium in crystalline thickness
pinophilum (Pencillium pinophilum),
and Aspergillus P. pinophilum incubated
niger with and without ethanol
showed a higher TO-
LDPE biodegradation
efficiency than did A.
niger. Mineralization
was also higher for P.
pinophilum with the
addition of ethanol
Table 1: The major consequences in the biodegradation of polythene.
Maximum Biodegradation of Polythene both In Vitro Toxicity Level of the Biodegraded Polythene Products
and In Vivo
To the best of our knowledge there is no report on this aspect
except Aswale [47]. She tested the toxicity level of all the polythene
The maximium 61.0% (Microbacterium paraoxydans) and 50.5%
biodegraded products on both the animal and plant systems. Among
(Pseudomonas aeruginosa) of polythene degradation in terms of Fourier
the plant systems, she tested the toxicity level of the degraded polythene
Transform Infrared coupled Attenuated Total Reflectance (FTIR-
products along with culture filtrate on the seed germination rate of
ATR) was recorded [45] within two months. But in terms of weight
the Arachis hypogaea (groundnut), Glycine max. (soybean), Sesamum
loss was the degradation of polythene was recorded as 47.2% after 3
laciniatum (oil seed, sesame), Helianthus annuus (sunflower) and
months of incubation with the A. oryzae [46] followed by 50% weight
Carthamus tinctorius (safflower). Moderate decrease in the germination
loss of the polythene discs using fungus, Phanerochaete chrysosporium
of the seeds was recorded. For the animal system, she calculated
after 8 month of regular shaking with pH= 4.00 at room temperature
the mortality rate of Chironomous larvae, and had not reported any
[47]. But due to biodegradation, weight loss of the polythene is not
significant difference in the mortality rates as compare to control.
always reported. Some workers [48] reported gain in the polythene
weight after cultivation of the microbes on the polythene, incubated at
Future Needs
regular shaking for one month at 30oC. Only three out of 10 microbes
lead to weight loss. The maximum weight gain (2.02%) was reported
The status of polythene pollution should be updated area wise.
with Streptomyces humidus. The possible reason for gaining of the
The awareness campaign of the polythene pollution should be
polythene weight after the cultivation of the microbes on the strips is
promoted at mass level among the public. The idea of using starch
accumulation of cell mass on the polythene surface [48]. In case of in
based polythene or biodegradable polythene should be encouraged.
vivo study after 32 years of polythene dumping in the soil only partial
The microbes responsible for the degradation of polythene should be
degradation was reported [49].
isolated from all the sources, screened to know the efficient isolates.
The efficient microbes are needed to characterize at molecular level.
Polythene Biodegradation Products
Some extracellular enzymes are responsible for the biodegradations of
During polythene biodegradation, CO2 gas emission was
the polythene [56]. These enzymes needed to be characterized and the
recorded [50-53]. As per report [54] Rhodococcus rubber (C208)
genes responsible for those enzymes should be worked out. Once the
uses polythene as a carbon source and produces polysaccharides and
genes responsible for the degradation of polythene would be known,
proteins. Another worker [47] also reported a number of polythene
the genes would be used to enhance the polythene degrading capacity
biodegraded products such as Ergosta-5, 22-dien-3-ol, acetate (3, 22 E),
of the other easily available microbes. After field trials, the most
1-Monanalinoeoglycerol trimethylsilyl ether, Betamethasone acetate,
efficient polythene degrading microbes should be multiplied at large
Azafrin, 9, 12, 15-Octadecatrienoic acid, 2, 3-bis [(trimetylsilyl) oxy]
scale to decompose the polythene at commercial level.
propyl ester, (Z, Z, Z)-C27H52O4Si2). A group of workers [55] reported
22 different biodegraded products from the polythene but identified
Conclusions
only 18 compounds as Benzene, methyl, Tetrachloroethylene, Benzene,
Based on the literature survey, it can be concluded that polythene
1,3-dimethyl, Octadecane, 7,9-Di-tert-butyl-1-oxaspiro(4,5) deca-
is very useful in our day to day life to meet our desired needs. It can
6,9-diene-2,8-dione, Hexadecanoic acid, Hexadecanoic acid, Ethyl
be used for wrapping the goods, food material, medicine, scientific
ester, Eicosane, Octadenoic acid, Docosane, 3-Chloropropionic
instruments etc. Due to its good quality its use is increasing day by
acid, Heptadecyl ester, Tricosane, Octadecanoic acid, Butyl ester,
day and its degradation is becoming a great threat. Only in the marine
1-Nonadecene, Tetracosane, Pentacosane, 1, 2-Benxenedicarboxylic
acid, Di-iso-ostyl ester and Hexacosane. biota annually almost one million marine animals are dying due to
J Bioremed Biodeg
Volume 3 " Issue 10 " 1000164
ISSN: 2155-6199 JBRBD, an open access journal
Citation: Sangale MK, Shahnawaz M, Ade AB (2012) A review on Biodegradation of Polythene: The Microbial Approach. J Bioremed Biodeg 3:164.
doi:10.4172/2155-6199.1000164
Page 8 of 9
19. Arutchelvi J, Sudhakar M, Arkatkar A, Doble M, Bhaduri S, Uppara PV (2008)
their intestinal blockage. Various polythene degradation methods are
Biodegradation of polyethylene and polypropylene. IJBT 7 : 9-22.
available in the literature but the cheapest, eco-friendly and acceptable
20. Nayak P, Tiwari A (2011) Biodegradation of polythene and plastic by the help
method is degradation using microbes. The microbes release the
of microbial tools: a recent approach. International Journal of Biomedical and
extracellular enzymes such as lignin peroxidase, manganese peroxidase
Advance Research, 2.
to degrade the polythene but the detailed characterization of these
21. Cooper DA, Corcoran PL (2010) Effects of mechanical and chemical processes
enzymes in relation to polythene degradation is still needed to be
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carried out. It was also been known that microbes from various sources Pollut Bull 60: 650-654.
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relationship. Mar Pollut Bull 58: 80-84.
degrading microbe is still needed to screen from all the sources. The
characterization of efficient polythene degrading microbes at molecular
23. Denuncio P, Bastida R, Dassis M, Giardino G, Gerpe M, et al. (2011) Plastic
ingestion in Franciscana dolphins, Pontoporia blainvillei (Gervais and d Orbigny,
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Acknowledgement
the tropical pacific l984-1991: Relation with distribution of species, sex, age,
season, year and body weight. Mar Environ Res 40: 123-146.
We are thankful to authorities of Jaykar Library, University of Pune for providing
free access of the paid Journals. Authors are thankful to Board of Colleges and
25. Secchi ER, Zarzur S (l999) Plastic debris ingested by a Blainville s beaked
university Development (BCUD), University of Pune, Pune for providing financial
whale, Mesoplodon densirostris, washed ashore in Brazil. Aquatic Mammals
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University of Pune, Pune-07, for providing research stipend.
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