Biodegradation of natural rubber latex by a novel bacterial species isolated from soil

A natural rubber degrading bacteria Paenibacillus lautus was isolated from soil samples of a rubber plantation in Sri Lanka. The strain was able to decompose natural rubber latex by adhesively growing on its surface using NR latex as the sole carbon source. The staining test performed using Schiff's reagent confirmed the degradation of NR latex. The Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy further verified the result by showing the reduction of C=C double bonds and the presence of carboxylic acids and ketones in the polymer chain. The surface erosion images of the latex overlay surfaces obtained from scanning electron microscopy also validated the degradation process.