which organic materials are broken down into smaller compounds such as H 2 O and
CO 2 through the action of microorganisms. The process of biodegradation involves
the growing of the microbial cell on the solid surface for the production of hydrophilic groups followed by the hydrolysis or oxidation of the long-chain hydrocarbons into short chains through the action of microorganisms mainly through the
action of some relevant enzymes while the short-chain polymers are converted into
fatty acids after which the fatty acids are later oxidized into humus, H 2 O and CO 2
(Shah et al. 2008a, b; Singh and Sharma 2008; Yang et al. 2014, Plastics Europe
2018).
Several scientists have reported numerous microorganisms for their
biodegradative potential on plastic. Some of these strains includes Streptococcus,
Aspergillus, Bacillus, Staphylococcus Penicillium, Pseudomonas, Moraxella, and
Streptomyces mainly derived from marine, soil, and sludge under natural conditions
(Restrepo-Flórez et al. 2014, Pegram and Andrady 1989, Jones et al. 1974). Also,
there are several factors that constitute delay in the biodegradation of these plastic
within a very short period of time which includes high chemical bond energy, high
molecular weight, and strong hydrophobicity(Watanabe et al. 2003). While some
strains such as Nocardia asteroids and Penicillium simplicissimum could take a
longer time (Yamada-Onodera et al. 2000).
Hence, this chapter intends to provide a detailed information on the application of
beneficial microorganisms for the bioremediation of heavily polluted environment
with plastic. The modes of action utilized by these microorganisms were also
highlighted. Further recommendation that could enhance more research activity
that would promote the process involved in the biodegradation of plastic was also
suggested.
14.2 Application of Plastic-Degrading Microorganisms
in Environmental Bioremediation
The utilization of plastic polymer in our daily life, agriculture, and industry cannot
be overemphasized due to the fact that it might be liked to their cost-effectiveness
and their easy use. However, there is an increase in the level of pollution constituted
as a result of pollution constituted by plastic polymer most especially polyethylene
which constitutes several health and environmental challenges to humans and
animals. In view of the aforementioned (Ren et al. 2019), Enterobacter sp. D1
was derived from the month of wax moth (Galleria mellonella). The colonies
growing around the polyethylene film after a period of 14 days of growth containing
Enterobacter sp. D1. The level of cracks, roughness, and depressions was perceived
on the surface of the polyethylene film and was detected by atomic force microscopy
and scanning electron microscopy. The presence of various function groups available was detected using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy which detected the
presence of ether and carbonyl group. Moreover, liquid chromatography-tandem
14 Plastic-Eating Microorganisms: Recent Biotechnological Techniques for Recycling. . . 355
CO 2 through the action of microorganisms. The process of biodegradation involves
the growing of the microbial cell on the solid surface for the production of hydrophilic groups followed by the hydrolysis or oxidation of the long-chain hydrocarbons into short chains through the action of microorganisms mainly through the
action of some relevant enzymes while the short-chain polymers are converted into
fatty acids after which the fatty acids are later oxidized into humus, H 2 O and CO 2
(Shah et al. 2008a, b; Singh and Sharma 2008; Yang et al. 2014, Plastics Europe
2018).
Several scientists have reported numerous microorganisms for their
biodegradative potential on plastic. Some of these strains includes Streptococcus,
Aspergillus, Bacillus, Staphylococcus Penicillium, Pseudomonas, Moraxella, and
Streptomyces mainly derived from marine, soil, and sludge under natural conditions
(Restrepo-Flórez et al. 2014, Pegram and Andrady 1989, Jones et al. 1974). Also,
there are several factors that constitute delay in the biodegradation of these plastic
within a very short period of time which includes high chemical bond energy, high
molecular weight, and strong hydrophobicity(Watanabe et al. 2003). While some
strains such as Nocardia asteroids and Penicillium simplicissimum could take a
longer time (Yamada-Onodera et al. 2000).
Hence, this chapter intends to provide a detailed information on the application of
beneficial microorganisms for the bioremediation of heavily polluted environment
with plastic. The modes of action utilized by these microorganisms were also
highlighted. Further recommendation that could enhance more research activity
that would promote the process involved in the biodegradation of plastic was also
suggested.
14.2 Application of Plastic-Degrading Microorganisms
in Environmental Bioremediation
The utilization of plastic polymer in our daily life, agriculture, and industry cannot
be overemphasized due to the fact that it might be liked to their cost-effectiveness
and their easy use. However, there is an increase in the level of pollution constituted
as a result of pollution constituted by plastic polymer most especially polyethylene
which constitutes several health and environmental challenges to humans and
animals. In view of the aforementioned (Ren et al. 2019), Enterobacter sp. D1
was derived from the month of wax moth (Galleria mellonella). The colonies
growing around the polyethylene film after a period of 14 days of growth containing
Enterobacter sp. D1. The level of cracks, roughness, and depressions was perceived
on the surface of the polyethylene film and was detected by atomic force microscopy
and scanning electron microscopy. The presence of various function groups available was detected using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy which detected the
presence of ether and carbonyl group. Moreover, liquid chromatography-tandem
14 Plastic-Eating Microorganisms: Recent Biotechnological Techniques for Recycling. . . 355