Polycarbonate biodegradation by newly isolated Bacillus strains

Abstract

As polycarbonate is frequently used in many products, its accumulation in landfills is absolutely harmful to the environment. The aims of this study were the screening and isolation of polycarbonate-degrading bacteria (PDB) and the assessment of their ability in the degradation of polycarbonate (PC) polymers. Nine-month buried-PC films were used for PDB isolation and identification. The biodegradation ability of the isolates was determined by growth curve, clear zone formation, lipase and amylase production, AFM and FTIR. Bacillus cereus and Bacillus megaterium were identified and considered as PDB. The degradation ability of B. megaterium was significantly higher than that of B. cereus. Both were lipase and amylase positive. AFM and FTIR results showed the initiation of bacterial attachment. The PC biodegradation ability of isolates can be very efficient. Finding such efficient isolates (which was less studied before) will promise a decrease in plastic contamination in the future.