Biodegradation of Plastics using Bacteria Isolated from Wastes Dumping Soil within Sokoto Metropolis

Study’s Excerpt: • Bacteria isolated from Sokoto waste sites degrade polyethylene effectively. • Bacillus and Pseudomonas species showed highest plastic weight loss (10–50%). • Optimal degradation occurred at 37 °C and pH 7.0 in minimal salt medium. • 16S rRNA sequencing confirmed diversi...

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Main Authors: Aisha Bashir, Aminu Yusuf Fardami, Ibrahim Yusuf Tafinta, Umar Balarabe Ibrahim
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Umaru Musa Yar'adua University, Katsina, Nigeria 2025-06-01
Series:UMYU Journal of Microbiology Research
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Online Access:https://ujmr.umyu.edu.ng/index.php/ujmr/article/view/1186
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author Aisha Bashir
Aminu Yusuf Fardami
Ibrahim Yusuf Tafinta
Umar Balarabe Ibrahim
author_facet Aisha Bashir
Aminu Yusuf Fardami
Ibrahim Yusuf Tafinta
Umar Balarabe Ibrahim
author_sort Aisha Bashir
collection DOAJ
description Study’s Excerpt: • Bacteria isolated from Sokoto waste sites degrade polyethylene effectively. • Bacillus and Pseudomonas species showed highest plastic weight loss (10–50%). • Optimal degradation occurred at 37 °C and pH 7.0 in minimal salt medium. • 16S rRNA sequencing confirmed diversity of plastic-degrading bacteria. • Findings support bioremediation potential for urban plastic waste management. Full Abstract: Plastic pollution, particularly polyethylene, has become a significant environmental concern worldwide due to its non-biodegradable nature.  In urban areas, waste dumping sites serve as critical hotspots for the accumulation of plastic waste.  The microbial degradation of polyethylene offers a promising solution to mitigate this environmental challenge.  This study investigates the biodegradation potential of polyethylene plastics by bacteria isolated from the soil of waste dumping sites in Sokoto Metropolis, Nigeria.  Soil samples were collected from three waste dumping sites within the metropolis, and bacteria were isolated using standard microbiological techniques.  The isolates were screened for their ability to degrade polyethylene by assessing their growth and activity in minimal salt medium (MSM) supplemented with polyethylene strips as the sole carbon source.  Key parameters, including pH and temperature, were analysed, and the degradation rate was monitored through weight loss of polyethylene discs, optical density readings, and changes in microbial growth at different time intervals (day 0 to day 28).  The results indicated that isolates like Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus cereus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Pseudomonas putida and Arthrobacter citreus exhibited significant biodegradation activity, with weight loss of polyethylene ranging from 10% to 50% after 28 days of incubation.  The bacterial isolates showed optimal growth at a temperature of 37°C and at a pH of 7.0.  Isolates were identified using 16S rRNA gene sequencing, revealing a diverse range of bacteria, including species of Bacillus and Pseudomonas, known for their plastic-degrading capabilities.  The findings contribute to the growing body of knowledge on sustainable waste management practices and underscore the importance of harnessing local microbial resources in the fight against plastic pollution.  The biodegradation potential of these bacteria could be further explored for bioremediation strategies to mitigate plastic waste in urban environments.
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spelling doaj-art-e49cc44607c644d6be8e1fdcdefce20f2025-08-23T14:14:40ZengUmaru Musa Yar'adua University, Katsina, NigeriaUMYU Journal of Microbiology Research2616-06682814-18222025-06-0110310.47430/ujmr.25103.049Biodegradation of Plastics using Bacteria Isolated from Wastes Dumping Soil within Sokoto MetropolisAisha Bashir0Aminu Yusuf Fardami1Ibrahim Yusuf Tafinta2Umar Balarabe Ibrahim3Department of Microbiology, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto State, NigeriaDepartment of Microbiology, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto State, NigeriaDepartment of Plant Science, Faculty of Chemical and Life Sciences, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria Department of Microbiology, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto State, Nigeria Study’s Excerpt: • Bacteria isolated from Sokoto waste sites degrade polyethylene effectively. • Bacillus and Pseudomonas species showed highest plastic weight loss (10–50%). • Optimal degradation occurred at 37 °C and pH 7.0 in minimal salt medium. • 16S rRNA sequencing confirmed diversity of plastic-degrading bacteria. • Findings support bioremediation potential for urban plastic waste management. Full Abstract: Plastic pollution, particularly polyethylene, has become a significant environmental concern worldwide due to its non-biodegradable nature.  In urban areas, waste dumping sites serve as critical hotspots for the accumulation of plastic waste.  The microbial degradation of polyethylene offers a promising solution to mitigate this environmental challenge.  This study investigates the biodegradation potential of polyethylene plastics by bacteria isolated from the soil of waste dumping sites in Sokoto Metropolis, Nigeria.  Soil samples were collected from three waste dumping sites within the metropolis, and bacteria were isolated using standard microbiological techniques.  The isolates were screened for their ability to degrade polyethylene by assessing their growth and activity in minimal salt medium (MSM) supplemented with polyethylene strips as the sole carbon source.  Key parameters, including pH and temperature, were analysed, and the degradation rate was monitored through weight loss of polyethylene discs, optical density readings, and changes in microbial growth at different time intervals (day 0 to day 28).  The results indicated that isolates like Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus cereus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Pseudomonas putida and Arthrobacter citreus exhibited significant biodegradation activity, with weight loss of polyethylene ranging from 10% to 50% after 28 days of incubation.  The bacterial isolates showed optimal growth at a temperature of 37°C and at a pH of 7.0.  Isolates were identified using 16S rRNA gene sequencing, revealing a diverse range of bacteria, including species of Bacillus and Pseudomonas, known for their plastic-degrading capabilities.  The findings contribute to the growing body of knowledge on sustainable waste management practices and underscore the importance of harnessing local microbial resources in the fight against plastic pollution.  The biodegradation potential of these bacteria could be further explored for bioremediation strategies to mitigate plastic waste in urban environments. https://ujmr.umyu.edu.ng/index.php/ujmr/article/view/1186PolyethylenePlasticBiodegradationSoilBacillus subtilis
spellingShingle Aisha Bashir
Aminu Yusuf Fardami
Ibrahim Yusuf Tafinta
Umar Balarabe Ibrahim
Biodegradation of Plastics using Bacteria Isolated from Wastes Dumping Soil within Sokoto Metropolis
UMYU Journal of Microbiology Research
Polyethylene
Plastic
Biodegradation
Soil
Bacillus subtilis
title Biodegradation of Plastics using Bacteria Isolated from Wastes Dumping Soil within Sokoto Metropolis
title_full Biodegradation of Plastics using Bacteria Isolated from Wastes Dumping Soil within Sokoto Metropolis
title_fullStr Biodegradation of Plastics using Bacteria Isolated from Wastes Dumping Soil within Sokoto Metropolis
title_full_unstemmed Biodegradation of Plastics using Bacteria Isolated from Wastes Dumping Soil within Sokoto Metropolis
title_short Biodegradation of Plastics using Bacteria Isolated from Wastes Dumping Soil within Sokoto Metropolis
title_sort biodegradation of plastics using bacteria isolated from wastes dumping soil within sokoto metropolis
topic Polyethylene
Plastic
Biodegradation
Soil
Bacillus subtilis
url https://ujmr.umyu.edu.ng/index.php/ujmr/article/view/1186
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