Biodegradation of low density polyethylene by the action of a microbial consortium isolated from a landfill, Lima, Peru

• Main Authors: Diego Uribe, Daniel Giraldo, Susana Gutiérrez, Fernando Merino
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos 2011-05-01
• Series: Revista Peruana de Biología
• Subjects: Espectroscopia; Polietileno; Plásticos; Biodegradación; Polímeros.
• Online Access: http://revistasinvestigacion.unmsm.edu.pe/index.php/rpb/article/view/62

<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;">In this paper, we describe the isolation and biodegradation activity of microorganisms on low density polyethylene. The microorganisms were collected from plastic materials with evidence of deterioration from a landfill. The samples were filtered and selected in a mineral salts medium at pH 5.5 and 7 for bacteria and fungi respectively. Six strains were isolated, identified as <em>Pseudomonas</em> sp. <em>Hyalodendron</em> sp., <em>Penicillium</em> sp. and <em>Rhodotorula</em> sp. Microbial activity was evidenced by changes in the infrared spectrum of polyethylene with respect to the polymer without treatment. Reduction of carbonyl index (83.89% at pH 7 and 4.08% at pH 5.5) and double bonds index (19.77% at pH 7 and 6.47% at pH 5.5) were observed. Finally we determined the percentage of weight lost by the polyethylene subjected to activity of the strains, with a decrease of 5.4% at pH 7 and 4.8% at pH5, 5.</span>