Deterioration of irradiation/high-temperature pretreated, linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) by Bacillus amyloliquefaciens

0496242 - MBÚ 2019 RIV GB eng J - Journal Article
Novotný, Čeněk - Malachová, K. - Adamus, G. - Kwiecien, M. - Lotti, N. - Soccio, M. - Verney, V. - Fava, F.
Deterioration of irradiation/high-temperature pretreated, linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) by Bacillus amyloliquefaciens.
International Biodeterioration & Biodegradation. Roč. 132, AUG 2018 (2018), s. 259-267. ISSN 0964-8305. E-ISSN 1879-0208
Institutional support: RVO:61388971
Keywords : Linear low density polyethylene * Polymer pretreatment * Bacillus amyloliquefaciens
OECD category: Microbiology; Microbiology (MBU-M)
Impact factor: 3.824, year: 2018

A Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain was isolated from composted plastics and identified using microbial identification system BIOLOG and 16S rDNA sequences. The capability to attack virgin and gamma-irradiation/high temperature-pretreated LLDPE films was investigated for comparison to evaluate the effect of pretreatment. A biodeteriorating effect characterized by low weight reductions of 1,1 +/- 0.3 to 3.2 +/- 1.3% was observed with the pretreated LLDPE within 40-60 days. The precision of the gravimetric method was sometimes negatively affected by the fragmentation of plastic films during the biological treatment or by traces of microbial biofilm firmly adhering to the plastic material. FTIR spectra before and after 60-day treatment indicated a decrease of carbonyl band and flattening of the 1300-1100 cm(-1) zone due to bacterial action. GPC showed an increase of M-n and M-w of 2300-3700 and 32 200-35 500 g mol(-1), respectively, and a decrease of polydispersity index suggesting presence of low molar weight LLDPE oligomers in pretreated LLDPE. The analysis of crystallinity and melting enthalpy detected the removal of oligomers during biodeterioration. ESI-MS analysis of the medium after 60-day biotreatment of pretreated LLDPE showed a presence of 3-hydroxybutyrate oligomers linked to the disappearance of low molar weight LLDPE oligomers that was not observed with virgin LLDPE. Coincidence of the removal of LLDPE oligomers and the appearance of 3-hydroxybutyrate oligomers suggested metabolization of low molecular LLDPE fractions present in the pretreated LLDPE by B. amyloliquefaciens. The experiments with virgin LLDPE demonstrated a positive effect of the pretreatment.
Permanent Link: http://hdl.handle.net/11104/0289060