Biodegradation of polystyrene by bacteria from the soil in common environments

• Published in: Journal of hazardous materials Vol. 416; p. 126239
• Main Authors: Kim, Hyeong-Woo, Jo, Jin Hui, Kim, Ye-Bin, Le, Thien-Kim, Cho, Chul-Woong, Yun, Chul-Ho, Chi, Won Seok, Yeom, Soo-Jin
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 15.08.2021
• Subjects: Biodegradation; Hydroxylation; Microorganism; Polystyrene; Biodegradation; Microorganism; Hydroxylation; Polystyrene
• ISSN: 0304-3894; 1873-3336
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.126239

Polystyrene (PS), a major plastic waste, is difficult to biodegrade due to its unique chemical structure that comprises phenyl moieties attached to long linear alkanes. In this study, we investigated the biodegradation of PS by mesophilic bacterial cultures obtained from various soils in common environments. Two new strains, Pseudomonas lini JNU01 and Acinetobacter johnsonii JNU01, were specifically enriched in non-carbonaceous nutrient medium, with PS as the only source of carbon. Their growth after culturing in basal media increased more than 3-fold in the presence of PS. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis, used to confirm the formation of hydroxyl groups and potentially additional chemical bond groups, showed an increase in the amount of oxidized PS samples. Moreover, field emission scanning electron microcopy analysis confirmed PS biodegradation by biofilms of the screened microbes. Water contact angle measurement additionally offered insights into the increased hydrophilic characteristics of PS films. Bioinformatics and transcriptional analysis of A. johnsonii JNU01 revealed alkane-1-monooxygenase (AlkB) to be involved in PS biodegradation, which was confirmed by the hydroxylation of PS using recombinant AlkB. These results provide significant insights into the discovery of novel functions of Pseudomonas sp. and Acinetobacter sp., as well as their potential as PS decomposers. [Display omitted] •The soil bacteria from common environments biologically degrades polystyrene (PS).•The bacteria species to decompose the PS are Acinetobacter and Pseudomonas.•The PS powder deformed by bacteria shows oxygen-rich chemical moieties such as a hydroxyl group.•The PS film deformed by bacteria exhibits a defective surface characteristic with a relative further hydrophilicity.•Bioinformatics indicates the bacteria includes alkane-1-monooxygenase (AlkB) that can deform the PS.