title: Evaluation of HDPE and LDPE degradation by fungus, implemented by statistical optimization.
abstract: Plastic in any form is a nuisance to the well-being of the environment. The 'pestilence' caused by it is mainly due to its non-degradable nature. With the industrial boom and the population explosion, the usage of plastic products has increased. A steady increase has been observed in the use of plastic products, and this has accelerated the pollution. Several attempts have been made to curb the problem at large by resorting to both chemical and biological methods. Chemical methods have only resulted in furthering the pollution by releasing toxic gases into the atmosphere; whereas; biological methods have been found to be eco-friendly however they are not cost effective. This paves the way for the current study where fungal isolates have been used to degrade polyethylene sheets (HDPE, LDPE). Two potential fungal strains, namely, Penicillium oxalicum NS4 (KU559906) and Penicillium chrysogenum NS10 (KU559907) had been isolated and identified to have plastic degrading abilities. Further, the growth medium for the strains was optimized with the help of RSM. The plastic sheets were subjected to treatment with microbial culture for 90 days. The extent of degradation was analyzed by, FE-SEM, AFM and FTIR. Morphological changes in the plastic sheet were determined.
authors.affiliation: Earth and Environmental Science Research Laboratory, Department of Earth Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata, Mohanpur 741246, Nadia, West Bengal, India.
authors.forename: Nupur
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ojha
authors.affiliation: Earth and Environmental Science Research Laboratory, Department of Earth Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata, Mohanpur 741246, Nadia, West Bengal, India.
authors.forename: Neha
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Pradhan
authors.affiliation: Earth and Environmental Science Research Laboratory, Department of Earth Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata, Mohanpur 741246, Nadia, West Bengal, India.
authors.forename: Surjit
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.affiliation: Earth and Environmental Science Research Laboratory, Department of Earth Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata, Mohanpur 741246, Nadia, West Bengal, India.
authors.forename: Anil
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Barla
authors.affiliation: Earth and Environmental Science Research Laboratory, Department of Earth Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata, Mohanpur 741246, Nadia, West Bengal, India.
authors.forename: Anamika
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Shrivastava
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata, Mohanpur 741246, Nadia, West Bengal, India.
authors.forename: Pradip
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Khatua
authors.affiliation: Institute of Life Sciences, Nalco Square, Bhubaneshwar, Odisha, India.
authors.forename: Vivek
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Rai
authors.affiliation: Earth and Environmental Science Research Laboratory, Department of Earth Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata, Mohanpur 741246, Nadia, West Bengal, India.
authors.forename: Sutapa
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bose
mesh_terms: D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D018625:Microscopy, Atomic Force; D010408:Penicillium chrysogenum / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism*; D020959:Polyethylene / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D012988:Soil Microbiology
chemical_list: D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D020959:Polyethylene