Mining microbial resources from plastic-eating worms

• Main Author: Muhammad Asyraf Bin Zuraini
• Other Authors: Cao Bin
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: Nanyang Technological University 2024
• Subjects: Engineering::Environmental engineering
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/10356/172918
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

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.