Isolation and molecular characterization of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic degrading fungal isolates. (20th May 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ali, Muhammad Ishtiaq; Ahmed, Safia; Robson, Geoff; Javed, Imran; Ali, Naeem; Atiq, Naima; Hameed, Abdul
• Is Part Of: Journal of basic microbiology. Volume 54:issue 1(2014:Jan.)
• Page Start: 18
• Page End: 27
• Publication Date: 2013-05-20
• Subjects: Microbiology -- Periodicals; 579
• DOI: 10.1002/jobm.201200496
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0233-111X

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" xml:lang="en"> <title>Abstract</title> <sec id="jobm201200496-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <p>The recalcitrant nature of polyvinyl chloride creates serious environmental concerns during manufacturing and waste disposal. The present study was aimed to isolate and screen different soil fungi having potential to biodegrade PVC films. After 10 months of soil burial experiment, it was observed that a number of fungal strains were flourishing on PVC films. On morphological as well as on 18rRNA gene sequence and phylogenetic basis they were identified as <italic>Phanerochaete chrysosporium</italic> PV1, <italic>Lentinus tigrinus</italic> PV2, <italic>Aspergillus niger</italic> PV3, and <italic>Aspergillus sydowii</italic> PV4. The biodegradation ability of these fungal isolates was further checked in shake flask experiments by taking thin films of PVC (C source) in mineral salt medium. A significant change in color and surface deterioration of PVC films was confirmed through visual observation and Scanning electron microscopy. During shake flask experiments, <italic>P. chrysosporium</italic> PV1 produced maximum biomass of about 2.57 mg ml<sup>−1</sup> followed by <italic>A. niger</italic> PV3. <italic>P. chrysosporium</italic> PV1 showed significant reduction (178, 292 Da<sup>−1</sup>) in Molecular weight of the PVC film than control (200, 000 Da<sup>−1</sup>) by gel permeation chromatography. Furthermore more Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance also revealed structural changes in the PVC. It was concluded that isolated fungal strains have significant potential for biodegradation of PVC plastics.</p> </sec> </abstract>