Biodegradation of Plastics using Bacteria Isolated from Wastes Dumping Soil within Sokoto Metropolis
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47430/ujmr.25103.049Keywords:
Polyethylene, Plastic, Biodegradation, Soil, Bacillus subtilisAbstract
Study’s Excerpt:
- Bacteria isolated from Sokoto waste sites degrade polyethylene effectively.
- Bacillus and Pseudomonas species showed highest plastic weight loss (10–50%).
- Optimal degradation occurred at 37 °C and pH 7.0 in minimal salt medium.
- 16S rRNA sequencing confirmed diversity of plastic-degrading bacteria.
- Findings support bioremediation potential for urban plastic waste management.
Full Abstract:
Plastic pollution, particularly polyethylene, has become a significant environmental concern worldwide due to its non-biodegradable nature. In urban areas, waste dumping sites serve as critical hotspots for the accumulation of plastic waste. The microbial degradation of polyethylene offers a promising solution to mitigate this environmental challenge. This study investigates the biodegradation potential of polyethylene plastics by bacteria isolated from the soil of waste dumping sites in Sokoto Metropolis, Nigeria. Soil samples were collected from three waste dumping sites within the metropolis, and bacteria were isolated using standard microbiological techniques. The isolates were screened for their ability to degrade polyethylene by assessing their growth and activity in minimal salt medium (MSM) supplemented with polyethylene strips as the sole carbon source. Key parameters, including pH and temperature, were analysed, and the degradation rate was monitored through weight loss of polyethylene discs, optical density readings, and changes in microbial growth at different time intervals (day 0 to day 28). The results indicated that isolates like Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus cereus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Pseudomonas putida and Arthrobacter citreus exhibited significant biodegradation activity, with weight loss of polyethylene ranging from 10% to 50% after 28 days of incubation. The bacterial isolates showed optimal growth at a temperature of 37°C and at a pH of 7.0. Isolates were identified using 16S rRNA gene sequencing, revealing a diverse range of bacteria, including species of Bacillus and Pseudomonas, known for their plastic-degrading capabilities. The findings contribute to the growing body of knowledge on sustainable waste management practices and underscore the importance of harnessing local microbial resources in the fight against plastic pollution. The biodegradation potential of these bacteria could be further explored for bioremediation strategies to mitigate plastic waste in urban environments.
Downloads
References
Afsar, M., Zia, A., Salam, M. B. U., Ahmad, M. N., Khan, A. A., ul Haq, T., & Alasmari, A. F. (2024). A multifaceted analysis of spent mushroom substrate of selected oyster mushrooms for enzymatic activity, proximate composition, & antimicrobial activity. Italian Journal of Food Science, 36(1), 165–174. https://doi.org/10.15586/ijfs.v36i1.2457
Atanasova, N., Stoitsova, S., Paunova-Krasteva, T., & Kambourova, M. (2021). Plastic degradation by extremophilic bacteria. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 22(11), 5610. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22115610
Balakrishnan, S., Arunagirinathan, N., Ragavan Rameshkumar, M., Indu, P., Vijaykanth, N., Almaary, K. S., Almutairi, S. M., & Chen, T. W. (2022). Molecular characterisation of biosurfactant marine bacterium isolated from hydrocarbon-contaminated soil using 16s rRNA gene sequencing. Journal of King Saud University, 34(2), 101–871. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jksus.2022.101871
Barlaz, M. A., Ham, R. K., & Schaefer, D. M. (2019). Mass-balance analysis of anaerobically decomposed refuse. Journal of Environmental Engineering, 11(5), 1088–1102. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9372(1989)115:6(1088)
Burelo, M., Gaytán, I., Gutiérrez, S., Cruz-Morales, J. A., Treviño-Quintanilla, C. D., Stringer, T., & Ramírez-Melgarejo, M. (2025). Recent advances in sustainable degradation processes of elastomers: A comprehensive review. Reviews in Environmental Science and Bio/Technology, 1–37. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11157-025-09724-8
Das, M. P., & Kumar, S. (2015). An approach to biodegradation of plastic waste by microorganisms. International Journal of Innovation Research in Science, Engineering & Technology, 4(1), 1857–1863.
Dey, S., Veerendra, G. T. N., Babu, P. A., Manoj, A. P., & Nagarjuna, K. (2024). Degradation of plastics waste & its effects on biological ecosystems: A scientific analysis & comprehensive review. Biomedical Materials & Devices, 2(1), 70–112. https://doi.org/10.1007/s44174-023-00085-w
Dhali, S. L., Parida, D., Kumar, B., & Bala, K. (2024). Recent trends in microbial & enzymatic plastic degradation: A solution for plastic pollution predicaments. Biotechnology for Sustainable Materials, 1(1), 11. https://doi.org/10.1186/s44316-024-00011-0
Ethiopia, G. N., Seid, M. E., & Malaku, S. (2024). Identification & molecular characterisation of polyethylene degrading bacteria from garbage dumpsites in Adama, Ethiopia. Environmental Technology & Innovation, 3(3), 103–441.
Ghosh, S., & Saha, D. (2019). Microbial degradation of polyethylene & polypropylene plastics in soil & composting environments. Environmental Science & Pollution Research, 26(25), 25728–25740.
Hajyousef, A. M. (2022). Isolation & growth of plastic-degrading microbes [Master's thesis, University of South-Eastern Norway].
Harley JP & LM Prescott, (2002). Laboratory exercises in microbiology. 5th edition. McGraw-Hill Publishers, pp. 37-237.
Hilda, A. E., Priscilla, O. A., & Oritsematosan, E. I. (2022). Isolation & identification of plastic degrading bacteria from dumpsites in Lagos. Advances in Environmental Technology, 1, 59–71.
Hiltunen, K., Seppälä, J. V., Itävaara, M., & Härkönen, M. (2017). The biodegradation of lactic acid-based poly (ester-urethanes). Journal of Environmental Polymer Degradation, 5, 167–173. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02763660
Huang, J., Shetty, A. S., & Wang, M. (2020). Biodegradable plastics: A review. Advances in Polymer Technology, 10, 23–30. https://doi.org/10.1002/adv.1990.060100103
Igiebor, F. A., Jonathan, E. M., Haruna, O., & Alenkhe, B. I. (2024). Plastics biodegradation: The situation now & its potential effects on environmental safety. Journal of Applied Sciences & Environmental Management, 28(1), 165–178. https://doi.org/10.4314/jasem.v28i1.19
Islam, F. S. (2025). The impact of plastic waste on ecosystems and human health and strategies for managing it for a sustainable environment. International Journal of Latest Technology in Engineering, Management & Applied Science, 14(3), 706–723. https://doi.org/10.51583/IJLTEMAS.2025.140300075
Jayaseelan, P., & Banerjee, R. (2024). Plastic waste as a novel substrate for industrial biotechnology. In Processing of Biomass Waste (pp. 245–262). Elsevier. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-323-95179-1.00017-7
Jiraporn, T. H., & Niran, R. (2023). Production & characterisation of biosurfactants from Bacillus licheniformis. Bioscience, Biotechnology & Biochemistry, 67(6), 1239–1244. https://doi.org/10.1271/bbb.67.1239
Juliana, O. P., & Cynthia, C. O. (2024). Bacterial isolates of soils of different waste types in Yenagoa central solid waste dumpsite, Nigeria. Research Journal of Biotechnology & Life Science, 4(1), 12–22. https://doi.org/10.52589/RJBLS-7S3TF2IU
Katnic, S. P., de Souza, F. M., & Gupta, R. K. (2024). Recent progress in enzymatic degradation & recycling of polyurethanes. Biochemical Engineering Journal, 109363. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bej.2024.109363
Kumar, N. M., Sharmila, G., & Muthukumaran, C. (2024). Microbial degradation of plastics: Current perspectives & challenges. Sustainable Production Innovations: Bioremediation & Other Biotechnologies, 233–272. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781119792888.ch8
Mishra, P., Pandey, C. M., Singh, U., Gupta, A., Sahu, C., & Keshri, A. (2019). Descriptive statistics & normality tests for statistical data. Annals of Cardiac Anaesthesia, 22(1), 67–72. https://doi.org/10.4103/aca.ACA_157_18
Mondal, C., Mondal, N., Moon, U. M., Biswas, S. J., & Hossain, A. (2024). Contamination of microplastics in the marine food web with special reference to seafood: Present status & future concern. In Spatial Modeling of Environmental Pollution & Ecological Risk (pp. 175–207). Woodhead Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-323-95282-8.00035-3
Nabi, N., Ahmad, I., Amin, A., Rather, M. A., Ahmed, I., Hajam, Y. A., ... & Abubakr, A. (2024). Understanding the sources, fate & effects of microplastics in aquatic environments with a focus on risk profiling in aquaculture systems. Reviews in Aquaculture, 16(4), 1947–1980. https://doi.org/10.1111/raq.12941
Najar, I. N., Sharma, P., Das, R., Tamang, S., Mondal, K., Thakur, N., ... & Kumar, V. (2024). From waste management to circular economy: Leveraging thermophiles for sustainable growth & global resource optimisation. Journal of Environmental Management, 360, 121136. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.121136
Ochei, J., & Kolhatkar, A. (2000). Medical Laboratory Science, Theory & Practice. Tata McGraw Hill.
Oladoye, A. O. (2015). Physicochemical properties of soil under two different depths in a tropical forest of International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Abeokuta, Ibadan, Nigeria. Journal of Research in Forestry, Wildlife and Environment, 7(1), 40–54.
Omar Saad Jumaah. (2017). Screening Of Plastic Degrading Bacteria from Dumped Soil. IOSR J. of Environmental Science, Toxicology & Food Technology (IOSR-JESTFT). 11(5): 93-98. https://doi.org/10.9790/2402-1105029398
Parlak, V. (2024). Classification of Pollution & Their Entry Rotues into Aquatic Ecosystems. In Aquatic Toxicology in Freshwater: The Multiple Biomarker Approach (pp. 123-137). Cham: Springer Nature Switzerl. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-56669-1_7
Pavlov, N., Wallbank, J. A., Hermans, S. M., Kingsbury, J. M., Pantos, O., & Lear, G. (2025). Putative plastic degrading communities within New Zealand's geothermal environments. Total Environment Microbiology, 100012. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.temicr.2025.100012
Primei, S., Inoue, C., & Chien, M. F. (2020). Potential of biosurfactants' production on degrading heavy oil by bacterial consortia obtained from tsunami-induced oil-spilled beach areas in Miyagi, Japan. Journal of Marine Science & Engineering, 8(8), 577. https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse8080577
Scott, G. (2016) Photo-biodegradable plastics: their role in the protection of the environment Polym Degrad Stab, 29: 135–154. https://doi.org/10.1016/0141-3910(90)90026-4
Shah, A. A., Hasan, F., Hameed, A., & Ahmed, S. (2008). Biological degradation of plastics: A comprehensive review. Biotechnology Advances, 26(3), 246–265. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biotechadv.2007.12.005
Siddiqui, S. A., Abd Manap, A. S., Kolobe, S. D., Monnye, M., Yudhistira, B., & Fernando, I. (2024). Insects for plastic biodegradation—A review. Process Safety & Environmental Protection. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psep.2024.04.021
Singh, N., & Walker, T. R. (2024). Plastic recycling: A panacea or environmental pollution problem. Npj Materials Sustainability, 2(1), 17. https://doi.org/10.1038/s44296-024-00024-w
Soud, S. A. (2019). Biodegradation of polyethylene LDPE plastic waste using locally isolated Streptomyces sp. Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences & Research, 11(4), 1333–1339.
Udekwu, C. C., Francis, U. C., Ojetunde, M. M., Okakpu, J. C., Awah, F. M., & Awe, O. (2024). A review of plastic pollution; conventional & recent bioremediation technologies. Journal of Digital Food, Energy & Water Systems, 5(1). https://doi.org/10.36615/fztzpx21
Wang, L., Yi, Z., Zhang, P., Xiong, Z., Zhang, G., & Zhang, W. (2024). Comprehensive strategies for microcystin degradation: A review of the physical, chemical, & biological methods & genetic engineering. Journal of Environmental Management, 365, 121707. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.121707
Xie, Y., Zhang, J., Wang, Y., & Liu, J. (2022). Effects of soil physico-chemical properties on plant species diversity in alpine grasslands. Frontiers in Ecology & Evolution, 10, 885477.
Xu, S., Lehmann, R. G., Miller, J. R., & Chandra, D. (2023). Degradation of silicone polymer as influenced by clay minerals. Environmental Science & Technology, 32, 1199–1206. https://doi.org/10.1021/es9708676
Yang, J., Yang, Y., Wu, W. M., Zhao, J., & Jiang, L. (2024). Evidence of polyethylene biodegradation by bacterial strains from the guts of plastic-eating waxworms. Environmental Science & Technology, 48(23), 13776–13784. https://doi.org/10.1021/es504038a
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Aisha Bashir, Aminu Yusuf Fardami, Ibrahim Yusuf Tafinta, Umar Balarabe Ibrahim
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
