QUEST FOR ISOLATION AND IDENTIFICATION OF PLASTIC DEGRADINGMICROORGANISMS: A MOLECULARAPPROACH

Microorganisms havea very essential role in the biological breakdown of various organic matter in the natural environment, this process is known as biodegradation. Polyethylene waste and plastics from synthetic materials accumulate in the environment and represent a growing ecological threat. Biotic and abiotic methods have been used to turn polymers into monomers. This issue might be resolved by powerful microbial strains (robust) and the biodegradation of this plastic trash. In this study, in vitro, the biodegradation of polyethylene and PVC tapes was analyzed using microorganisms isolated from the soil after an incubation period of one month. Microbial species associated with degradation ability were identified as Gram-positive bacteria and Gram-negative bacteria. In the future, microbial-friendly plastics are safe for the environment and can reduce plastic waste on the environment Further research is underway and it will have good applications in the future due to its low cost and eco-friendly properties.