title: Production and characterization of esterase in Lantinus tigrinus for degradation of polystyrene.
abstract: Polystyrene is considered stable to biological degradation. Lantinus tigrinus isolated from wood sample produced esterase in growth medium under normal conditions. However, acidic medium, 37 degrees C temperature, presence of tween 80; and urea and yeast extract in mineral salt medium enhance the production of esterase and specific activity. Purified esterase was active at broad pH range and 45 degrees C. FTIR analysis confirmed that esterase produced by Lantinus tigrinus effectively degraded polystyrene film and broke macromolecules down to non-toxic molecules. This study concludes that the presence of Lantinus tigrinus at dumping sites can be exploited for waste management containing high molecular weight synthetic polymers.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, Quaid-i-Azam University Islamabad Pakistan 45320.
authors.forename: Lubna
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Tahir
authors.forename: Muhammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ishtiaq Ali
authors.forename: Muhammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zia
authors.forename: Naima
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Atiq
authors.forename: Fariha
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Hasan
authors.forename: Safia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ahmed
mesh_terms: D001487:Basidiomycota / Q000201:enzymology*; D004950:Esterases / Q000378:metabolism*; D011137:Polystyrenes / Q000378:metabolism*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D011137:Polystyrenes; D004950:Esterases