Fungal Degradation of Polyethylene 

Abstract

Polyethylene (PE) is the second most common plastic resin in the global market. This synthetic polymer is notoriously resistant to microbial degradation and hydrolysis. Research reveals that lignin decaying enzymes in wood decaying fungi may adapt to degrade PE. This project studies the degradation of low density polyethylene (LDPE) by the hardwood decaying fungus Trametes versicolor. After inoculation in potato dextrose agar (PDA) and Sabouraud dextrose agar (SDA), mycelium samples of the T. versicolor from both medias were added to 25 petri dishes of Sabouraud dextrose broth (SDB) and a sheet of LDPE. Five plates from the experimental and control groups were removed each week over a period of five weeks. We calculated the weight change of each plastic sheet, which revealed minimal changes in the LDPE. So far, we have observed a range of average weight changes -0.05 g to 0.008 g. Further research is needed, with a longer experimental duration, improved protocols, and more trials, to determine T. versicolor’s LDPE degradation abilities.

Team Members