The Philippines has a plastic problem. Apart from being named one of the top five countries that contribute to half of the world's plastic pollution, a study reveals that the Philippines wastes over six million kilograms of plastic each day. Just last year, strains of bacteria discovered in Poon Bato Spring, Zambales were found to be capable of "eating" or biodegrading plastic, according to researchers from the biology department of the University of the Philippines-Baguio. It revealed that some bacterial strains collected from rock crevices of the Poon Bato spring in Botolan, Zambales are capable of degrading LDPE, which is highly resistant to degradation under natural conditions. Out of the original nine strains taken from the spring, four strains of bacteria were seen to be capable of biodegrading low-density polyethylene or LDPE, commonly used in plastic bags, cling wrap, shampoo bottles and other containers.
Through enrichment culture procedures, the bacterial strains were able to use the LDPE as their sole carbon source, reducing the weight of plastic between 5.1% to 9.9% just after 90 days of incubation. After consuming the plastic, the bacteria produced byproducts that are environment-friendly, according to the researchers.
Headed by researchers Denisse Yans dela Torre, Lee delos Santos, Mari Louise Reyes, and Ronan Baculi, the study inferred that the natural alkaline spring Poon Bato Spring that contains calcium, magnesium, sulfate, chloride, and iron provided the alkaline pH that supports the growth of this bacteria. The study said, "The results showed that selected microorganisms exhibited great potential for LDPE biodegradation, a discovery which can be used in reducing solid waste currently accumulating in natural environments."
"Results revealed changes in physical structure and also chemical composition of the films. Another method which determined plastic utilization of the bacteria was the evident decrease in the weight of the films," the office of the UP vice president for academic affairs said in a brief about the study.
"Protein analysis also indicated that bacterial cells could live and proliferate with films as the source of energy. Looking at the physical and chemical changes of the plastics before and after some time with the bacterial isolates, it was deduced that these minute organisms can possibly end plastic domination by making a meal out of it," it added.
The results of this study showed that selected microorganisms exhibit great potential for LDPE biodegradation, a discovery which can be used in reducing solid waste currently accumulating in natural environments and essentially lend aid in the world's plastic pollution epidemic.
