Bacteria from a Trash Heap Turn Plastic Into Less

Scientists found two kinds of bacteria that can eat a type of plastic called polypropylene. The bacteria were taken from a landfill in Rishikesh, India. They named the strains KRS102 and KRS236. The team first checked that the bacteria were real by looking at their DNA. They also tested if the microbes could make surface‑active substances, called biosurfactants, and if they liked wet surfaces. Both tests were positive, showing the microbes could attack plastic. They grew the bacteria on thin sheets of UV‑treated polypropylene for 90 days. After this time, KRS102 removed about 3. 4 % of the plastic’s weight, while KRS236 removed about 2. 9 %.

The faster decline of KRS102 is linked to a higher amount of bacterial protein and a quicker rate of breaking the plastic chain. Mathematical modeling gave KRS102 a half‑life of 1, 805 days – shorter than that of KRS236. Element analysis showed the plastic treated by KRS102 had a lot more oxygen and less carbon, meaning the bacteria oxidised the material. The untreated plastic was mostly carbon with almost no oxygen. Infrared spectroscopy confirmed changes in the chemical bonds of the plastic, indicating that enzymes from the bacteria were acting on it. Scanning electron images and gas chromatography revealed surface scratches and new chemical fragments, further proving degradation. Overall, KRS102 proved to be a better plastic‑breaking partner than KRS236, suggesting it could help clean up polypropylene waste in an eco‑friendly way.

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