Biodegradation of Low Density Polyethylene (PELD) using thermophilic bacteria

• Grant number: 24/06874-7
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: September 01, 2024
• End date: August 31, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Microbiology - Applied Microbiology
• Principal Investigator: Michel Brienzo
• Grantee: Valdecir Siqueira Ramos
• Host Institution: Instituto de Pesquisa em Bioenergia (IPBEN). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Rio Claro. Rio Claro , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Synthetic polymers, specifically plastics, a material identified as one of the most produced by humanity, began its development and large-scale production in the 20th century. Given its characteristics, its use provided technologies that transformed human dynamics. Considering these same characteristics, this type of material has been worryingly accumulated in the most diverse environments, with the marine environment being one of the most affected. Furthermore, some alternatives to mitigate this calamity are being promoted, such as recycling, incineration and partial replacement with biodegradable materials. However, these approaches are still deficient, given recent data. Among the most used plastics is polyethylene, whose function is basically focused on packaging, one of the main reasons for the high accumulation. Therefore, the present project aims to optimize the degradation of low-density polyethylene, through the modification of factors such as temperature, concentration of salts and tryptone in the growth of bacteria isolated from the landfill in the city of Rio Claro - SP. Thus, the experimental planning consists of growing the inoculum, preparing the polyethylene films and preparing the samples, the experiment period corresponding to 2 months. Finally, the analyzes will follow specific steps that ensure the fact that the selected bacteria has modified and degraded the PE and that this process has presented optimal conditions in terms of degradation.