Ecology, Environment and Conservation Paper

ENRICHMENT AND ISOLATION OF MICRO PLASTIC DEGRADING MICROORGANISMS FROM VARIOUS NATURAL SOURCES

Shaguftanaz S. Shaikh and G.R. Pathade

Abstract

Microplastics have pure Carbon backbone which makes them resistant towards degradation by conventional treatment systems. Microbes have shown the potency to degrade the microplastics. This study aims to isolate microplastic degrading microorganisms from various natural sources. Various soil samples and water samples were collected to isolate the microplastic degrading microorganisms. There are many different types of microplastics but polyethylene and polypropylene were targeted for the study. Mineral Salt Media with 0.1% polyethylene/polypropylene as a sole carbon source were used. 4 different isolates degrading microplastics have been isolated.