Isolation and screening of bioplastic producing bacteria from polluted lake soil

Navaraj et al.,

Bioplastics | pollution

Vol: 11; Iss. 5; May. 25 | ISSN: 2454-5422

Bioplastics are gaining attention as eco-friendly alternatives to conventional plastics due to their biodegradability and reduced environmental impact. This study focuses on the isolation and screening of bioplastics-producing bacteria from polluted lake soil, which may harbor unique microorganisms capable of synthesizing biopolymers. Soil samples were collected from polluted areas of Porur lake and Korattur lake and processed using serial dilution and culturing techniques on nutrient agar. A total of bacterial isolates were obtained and screened for bioplastics production using Sudan Black B staining. These methods detect intracellular lipid granules associated with polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), a common type of bioplastics. This research demonstrates that polluted lake soil is a valuable source of bioplastics-producing bacteria. The identified isolates show promise for sustainable bioplastics production, offering a potential solution to plastic pollution. The results provide a foundation for future studies focused on optimizing production conditions and scaling up the process for industrial applications. To fully characterize the bioplastics-producing bacteria and confirm the chemical composition of the biopolymer, further research should include detailed biochemical tests, molecular identification, and spectroscopic analysis. This study contributes to the growing field of bioplastics by exploring natural microbial sources and promoting environmentally friendly alternatives to conventional plastics.

Navaraj M, PG Student, PG & Research Department of Microbiology, V.H.N.Senthikumara Nadar College (Autonomous), Virudhunagar, Tamilnadu