Evidence of Plastic Degrading Bacteria in Aquatic Environment

Muhammad Naveed, Uqba Mehmood

Abstract

Introduction: Water bodies are influential part of vitals and help to keep the balance on the earth, to nourish the growing population, as a financial backbone of development, and to save ecosystem along wildlife. Globally, WWF and collaborators are working on plans to secure aquatic resources and are managed sustainably, that’s why water bodies are secure and beneficial for upcoming generations.

Findings: The research on pollution, bioremediation and related fields has found that plastic consists of certain chemicals which leach out and mix up with food, drinks and eatables. The health issues are created because of these chemicals that are being linked to health problems such as obesity, indigestion, fertility and immunity etc. Recently a lot of studies identified the involvement of several microorganisms and their enzymes, which are capable of breakdown the plastic material. The microorganism involved in material degradation specifically plastic is identified and well-studied, they consist on seven bacterial and eight fungal species. Among those seven bacterial species five belong to Gram positive while two are Gram negative. The fungal species are of Aspergillus. The species that gave prominent results were Gram +ve: Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, Micrococcus; Gram –ve: Moraxella, and Pseudomonas; and of fungal: Aspergillus glaucus, A. niger. 

Conclusion: Most of developing countries are using biodegradable plastic instead of ordinary plastic. It is very easy to destroy, after use, and it can minimize the negative effects of marine pollution and environment. It is just like the practice of using biofuel. It can be overcome by environmental pollution