Mining microbial resources from plastic-eating worms
The characteristics of synthetic polymers to resist degradation in the environment for a long period of time may lead to environmental issues. Although methods of treating plastic wastes exists, products of such processes are not safe for the environment. As such, a much more environmentally frie...
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| Format: | Final Year Project |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Nanyang Technological University
2024
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| Online Access: | https://hdl.handle.net/10356/172918 |
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| Institution: | Nanyang Technological University |
| Language: | English |
| Summary: | The characteristics of synthetic polymers to resist degradation in the environment for a long
period of time may lead to environmental issues. Although methods of treating plastic wastes
exists, products of such processes are not safe for the environment. As such, a much more
environmentally friendly process of treating plastics is required to ensure sustainability. Reports
of worms that are able to consume plastic as a food source gave hopes of methods that could
biodegrade plastics. Bacteria which exist within the guts of such worms could biodegrade plastics
on its own. This report discusses the capability of 4 bacteria strains that have been obtained from
plastic eating worms to degrade 2 types of polymers, polyethylene (PE) and polystyrene (PS).
After periods of being in contact with each respective strain, the polymer will be analysed through
the usage of Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrophotometer – Attenuated Total Reflectance
(FTIR-ATR) and Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM) to conclude if there
will be any indication of biodegradation. This study could introduce these strains which could be
implemented into current methods to treat plastic wastes. If proven capable of plastic
biodegradation, bacteria strains used in the study can be further studied on how to utilise it to
create new methods for plastic wastes treatment. |
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