The detoxifying role of plastic (polyethylene) degrading bacteria and its effect on the growth indices of lettuce seeds (Lactuca sativa)

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

Bu-Ali Sina Un., Faculty of agriculture, Department of Biotechnology

Abstract

Every year, human activities introduce large amounts of synthetic plastics into the environment, with negative effects on the growth and survival of living organisms (including plants). It is necessary to remove these pollutants with different methods, especially biological ones. The purpose of this research is to isolate low-density polyethylene (LDPE) degrading bacteria and investigate the toxicity test solution containing bacteria and polyethylene on the growth indicators of Lactuca sativa seeds due to the high sensitivity of this plant to environmental pollution. The effect of five bacterial strains isolated from the landfill soil of Hamadan province was investigated on the percentage of seed germination (SG), hypocotyl elongation (HE), root elongation (RE) and germination index (GI) of lettuce seeds. Strains of B6, B22, B23 and A20 increased the HE and SG growth indexes of lettuce seeds compared to the treatment containing MS medium and polyethylene (MS+PE). B28 strain had a lower performance in all indices than other strains. The results of this experiment showed that because the sensitive lettuce plant was able to grow in this condition, probably the biodegradation of polyethylene by these strains is consistent with Environment. In the treatment of different strains, hydrolysis products with different amounts were identified by GC-MS analysis.The highest production amount of common hydrolysis product among all strains was related to the treatment of strain B6.

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Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 18 April 2023
  • Receive Date: 22 January 2023
  • Revise Date: 11 March 2023
  • Accept Date: 06 April 2023