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Isolation and characterization of bio-prospecting gut strains Bacillus safensis CGK192 and Bacillus australimaris CGK221 for plastic (HDPE) degradation

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Abstract

The present work reports the application of novel gut strains Bacillus safensis CGK192 (Accession No. OM658336) and Bacillus australimaris CGK221 (Accession No. OM658338) in the biological degradation of synthetic polymer i.e., high-density polyethylene (HDPE). The biodegradation assay based on polymer weight loss was conducted under laboratory conditions for a period of 90 days along with regular evaluation of bacterial biomass in terms of total protein content and viable cells (CFU/cm2). Notably, both strains achieved significant weight reduction for HDPE films without any physical or chemical pretreatment in comparison to control. Hydrophobicity and biosurfactant characterization were also done in order to assess strains ability to form bacterial biofilm over the polymer surface. The post-degradation characterization of HDPE was also performed to confirm degradation using analytical techniques such as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Field emission scanning electronic microscopy (FE-SEM) coupled with energy dispersive X-ray (EDX), and Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). Interestingly strain CGK221 was found to be more efficient in forming biofilm over polymer surface as indicated by lower half-life (i.e., 0.00032 day−1) and higher carbonyl index in comparison to strain CGK192. The findings reflect the ability of our strains to develop biofilm and introduce an oxygenic functional group into the polymer surface, thereby making it more susceptible to degradation.

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  1. Department of Botany and Microbiology, Gurukula Kangri (Deemed to be University), Haridwar, Uttarakhand, India

    Kamal Kant Sharma, Himalaya Panwar & Kartikey Kumar Gupta

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  1. Kamal Kant Sharma
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  2. Himalaya Panwar
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Contributions

All authors contributed equally to perform the analysis and to collect experimental data under the supervision of KKG. The idea of performing this research and designing of methodology came from KKG and KKS. The draft manuscript was prepared by KKS and HP with the assistance of KKG. Manuscript was critically reviewed and edited by KKG. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to Kartikey Kumar Gupta.

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Sharma, K.K., Panwar, H. & Gupta, K.K. Isolation and characterization of bio-prospecting gut strains Bacillus safensis CGK192 and Bacillus australimaris CGK221 for plastic (HDPE) degradation. Biotechnol Lett (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10529-024-03486-z

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