A biodegradation potential of Aspergillus Niger and white rot fungi for Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE)

Abstract Plastic have indeed raised major concerns due to their extensive spread over and potential adverse effect on human life as well as environment. The study aims to illuminate potential of Aspergillus Niger and White rot fungi for biodegradation of plastic material. Polyethylene is one of the most used and user-friendly plastic types for humans in day today life. So, effect of biodegradation process was studied on polyethylene (PE) plastic type. Aspergillus Niger and white rot fungi were the two fungal species that were isolated from garbage soil and screened in two medium broths independently i.e. Czapek-Dox broth (CDB) and Mineral salt medium (MSM). Pure LDPE films that had not been exposed to ultraviolet light were used in a 20-day biodegradation process. The morphological, surface, and structural alterations on polyethylene were assessed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR). The biodegradation in the both medium was studied with two funguses in which sample showed 40% degradation in CDB broth and less degradation in MSM respectively. These analyses demonstrated the ability of the chosen fungi to degrade polyethylene (PE).