A consortium of Aspergillus species biodegrades polypropylene plastic

In recent times, there has been increased worldwide awareness on the grave issue of plastic pollution, and its ever-increasing peril to the environment. The present study used a consortium of fungus species; Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus oryzae for the degradation of polypropylene(PP) plastic with and without abiotic pre-treatment(UV, thermal) grown in a carbon rich and carbon free media in laboratory settings. Post 90-day incubation period, the weight loss of PP reached 23.3 % with temperature pre-treatment and 16.66 % in untreated PP. The PP samples showed substantial surface changes compared to the control group. Marked chemical alterations in PP samples were identified on the 10th and 90th day, validated by FTIR and quantified as carbon index(CI) illustrating the oxidative polymer scission. SEM micrographs revealed the particles' frailty and plausible oxidation degree estimated by the atomic O/C ratio corroborated the biodegradative capability of the fungal consortium. Although the presence of a carbon supply enhanced the efficacy, the key finding underlines that this consortium may thrive in both carbon-rich and carbon-starved conditions.

Additionally, PP could be prospectively degraded by the fungal spp. with/without abiotic pre-treatment, underlining the relevance of biotic process as a sustainable strategy to resolve plastic waste management.