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. 2024 May 16;16(10):1411.
doi: 10.3390/polym16101411.

Biodegradation of Polyurethane by Fungi Isolated from Industrial Wastewater-A Sustainable Approach to Plastic Waste Management

Aiswarya Rajan  1 , Fuad Ameen  2 , Ranjitha Jambulingam  3 , Vijayalakshmi Shankar  3
Affiliations

Biodegradation of Polyurethane by Fungi Isolated from Industrial Wastewater-A Sustainable Approach to Plastic Waste Management

Aiswarya Rajan et al. Polymers (Basel). .

Abstract

Polyurethane (PU) is a type of polymer, which exists in various forms in the environment. Very few studies are available concerning the structure or enzymatic mechanism of the microbial community, which can degrade PU. Degradation of PU remains a difficult problem with respect to the environmental and biological disciplines. This study mainly focused on identifying the micro-organisms able to degrade polyurethane and confirming the degradation by performing a plate assay, Sturm test and scanning electron microscopy. Optimal culture conditions for maximum PU degradation were also analyzed through classical methods. A soil burial test was conducted by placing polyurethane films in the soil for one month, and the microbe growing on the surface of polyurethane films-with a maximum degradation of 55%-was isolated and identified as Aspergillus versicolor (ARF5). The culture medium was also optimized with different physical and chemical parameters for maximum PU degradation. The presence of CO2 as a by-product of PU biodegradation was confirmed through the Sturm test.

Keywords: analysis; biodegradation; optimization; polyurethane.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
(a) Polyurethane beads; (b) THF solution blended with PU beads; (c) THF solution in sonicator; (d) Polyurethane film.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Isolated cultures.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Effect of temperature.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Effect of aeration.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Effects of pH on PU degradation.
Figure 6
Figure 6
The effect of various nitrogen sources on PU degradation.
Figure 7
Figure 7
Effect of carbon sources on PU degradation.
Figure 8
Figure 8
Growth curve and degradation (%).
Figure 9
Figure 9
(A) Before degradation; (B,C) After degradation.
Figure 10
Figure 10
Microbial growth on a polyurethane film.
Figure 11
Figure 11
(A) Before degradation; (B) After degradation.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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