FUNGAL BIODEGREDATION OF PLASTIC WASTE USING PLEUROTUS SPECIES
Abstract
The problem of Plastic pollution is increasing the world over as synthetic polymers such as PET and LDPE are not bio-friendly. The old methods of managing wastes are ineffective making it necessary to employ sustainable biological management systems. This study on Pleurotus species was carried on to research the biodegradation of PET and LDPE in laboratory conditions. The findings from this research indicated that both types of plastics were being degraded progressively until the plastics were entirely broken down by enhanced daily weight loss and related acidification with the PET showing better average daily weight loss and respective acidification. In this study, it was established that Pleurotus species. has biodegradative properties, and that they have enzymatic potentials to depolymerize plastics. This study proposes fungus-based mycoremediation as a sustainable solution to plastic waste reduction and points out that enzymatic profiling, co-culture experiments, and realistic scaling tests should be carried out.
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