“Isolation And Molecular Characterization Of Polythene-Degrading Fungus From Dumping Sites In Bhopal District, Madhya Pradesh”

Low-density polyethylene (LDPE) is a widely used plastic material noted for its resistance to natural degradation, contributing significantly to environmental pollution.The microbial biodegradation of LDPE offers a promising avenue for alleviating this environmental issue.However, the efficiency and mechanisms of LDPE degradation by microorganisms, particularly fungi, are not fully elucidated.This study focused on the isolation and identification of fungal strains from a dumping site in the Bhopal district, Madhya Pradesh, India, exhibiting the potential for LDPE degradation.These fungi Cwere cultured on LDPE as the sole carbon source to assess their biodegradation capabilities.We conducted an in-depth analysis of LDPE degradation under controlled laboratory conditions, measuring the weight loss of LDPE sheets following a 16-week incubation period at temperatures of 28C.The results identified several fungi belonging to the genera Aspergillus, Penicillium, and Fusarium sp., among others.These fungal strains showed varied levels of LDPE degradation, with certain strains demonstrating notable efficiency.In particular, strains of Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus and Penicillium chrysogenum exhibited significant LDPE weight loss at 28C, with reductions of 33.25 2.61 %, 30.38 3.36 %, and 29.77 2.13 %, respectively.The study underscores the potential role of fungal strains in mitigating plastic pollution through the biodegradation process.Factors influencing this process include temperature, enzymatic activity, and surface colonization.These findings contribute valuable knowledge to the field of microbial degradation of plastics, highlighting the potential of fungal species in environmental bioremediation strategies.