Microbial degradation of plastics based on plastic as carbon source for microbes

 Introduction - Plastics are light weighted, durable, corrosion resistant materials, mostly non-biodegradable , strong, and inexpensive. Scientists have reported many adverse effects of the plastic in the environment and human health. The  non- degradability  nature of plastics that increases the life of plastics. Due to this plastic pollution become as  global serious  problem. There are many approach to degrade plastics but microbial degradation is one of them. There is growing concern for use of efficient microorganisms meant for biodegradation of non-degradable synthetic polymer. Scientists  have  reported that many species of bacteria and fungi are able to degrade plastic. In this research project  microbial source  sample soil have taken from many  locations. It is probably possible to plastic degrading microbes may be present in soil sample. Microbes responsible for breakdown of plastic may possible to bacteria used plastic as carbon source. This idea helps in conversion of plastic polymers(complex organic compounds) to simpler beneficial and non-pollutant,eco-friendly  by-products  in commercial manner via microbes.

Rational approach- 

In this research project target microbes are major players. Based on various methods of degrading the plastic or polymers microbial degradation is one of them. Methods other than microbial degradation are unsuitable at health risk. The longevity of plastic in the environment not to be easily degraded . Evident  from scientific research microbes can degrade plastic. Not all microbes but some of them have capability to degrade it. In the context of  biodegradation  targeted microbes as eco-friendly. The microbial world provides  broad spectrum diversity  of microbes  that increases the probability  of plastic degrading microbes. Results show that Biodegradation depends upon polymer characteristics(chemicals bond and functional groups), organism type and nature of pre-treatment .  The selection of targeted microbes from nature using techniques and tools to be easy. The microbes present in the nature as randomly.  To pick up sample that contains many microbial species , plating on nutrient media, colony selection based on specific criteria , pure culture and testing of degradation of plastic which used as specific carbon source. All the procedures are easy to handle with skills and knowledge. To understand the microbial world phenomena and beneficial approach helps in identification and characterization of particular microbes and using for different purposes.

Objectives –

The goal or objectives of this research project is  to reduce or minimize the plastic pollution at global level along with to achieve  commercial by-products in which plastic used as substrate for microbes. The objectives of our research based on targeted microbes . To find the targeted microbes in  the nature or environment is the key and crucial steps. The multifarious applications of plastic  polymers play a major role in  real world phenomena. The peoples of the world using plastics everyday and their  industrial production rate in high as compared to degradation.

Technical program- The technical program of our research project is categorised into five major steps. These are –

a)    Sample collection

b)    Preparation of BMS media for screening of Bacillus species of bacteria

c)    Serial dilution of sample

d)    Plating and loading of inoculums into BMS media

e)    Screening of colony

f)     Selection of colony of Bacillus

g)    Culture  of Bacillus in Bushnell Haas Agar and Broth media with different types of plastics

h)   Observation and Result 

·         Composition of media

       There are three different types of media used in this project-

A.   BMS media

B.   Bushnell Haas Agar media

C.   Bushnell Haas broth media

Business plan-

Microbial based degradation of waste plastics are amenable to start up the industries from small scale to large  scale. The economics of plastic industries based on waste plastics may  helps in monetizing at commercial level. The  targeted microbes  that decompose  waste plastic(different or particular type) may able to converts it  into beneficial by-products. The beneficial byproducts may be bioethanol. Alteration in metabolic pathway of targeted microbes that increases bioethanol production using recombinant DNA technology is very beneficial for production of large amount of bioethanol and other byproducts at commercial manner. The distinct bioreactor for bioproducts production in which plastics used as raw material  or substrate or specialized carbon source for microbes. There are various applications of bioethanol  as  eco-friendly for fuels for vechiles. The waste plastic based industries making the decision of business planning in the future.

Conclusions :

The microbial based degradation of waste plastic and production of byproducts at commercial level is possible. But it is possible due to applying the considerable tools and techniques.Nature provides all solutions of problems and it is tough job that to identify the right location and direction of research and selection of best assumptions.