Location
Turner Gymnasium
Access Type
Campus Access Only
Presentation Type
Printed poster
Entry Number
2316
Start Date
4-16-2025 12:00 PM
End Date
4-16-2025 1:15 PM
School
School of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Department
Environmental Science
Keywords
Bacteria, Biodegradation, Plastic Pollution, Polypropylene
Abstract
Biodegradation of Polypropylene due to Bacterial Colonization
Plastic debris has been an environmental problem for nearly a century; though, recent literature shows certain bacterial strains have degradation abilities. However, little research has been done on a community of bacteria found on the plastics within Rochester. Here, we isolated three strains of bacteria, Citrobacter freundii, Stenotrophomonas, Pseudomonas, found in the Rochester, NY area from polypropylene and tested their biodegradation ability when combined. By isolating these different strains of bacteria from both a local pond and tributary allows us to observe the effect of the local bacterial community on polypropylene degradation within the environment. Degradation is taking place as seen by slight oxidation being observed through FTIR, biofilm has also been observed on the incubated samples possibly meaning that there is interaction. This research allows for better understanding of how particular bacterial strains that are local to the Rochester area can be used to degrade polypropylene within the environment.
Primary Faculty Mentor(s)
Dr. Brooke Haiar
Primary Faculty Mentor(s) Department
Environmental Science and Sustainability.
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Biodegradation of Polypropylene due to Bacterial Colonization
Turner Gymnasium
Biodegradation of Polypropylene due to Bacterial Colonization
Plastic debris has been an environmental problem for nearly a century; though, recent literature shows certain bacterial strains have degradation abilities. However, little research has been done on a community of bacteria found on the plastics within Rochester. Here, we isolated three strains of bacteria, Citrobacter freundii, Stenotrophomonas, Pseudomonas, found in the Rochester, NY area from polypropylene and tested their biodegradation ability when combined. By isolating these different strains of bacteria from both a local pond and tributary allows us to observe the effect of the local bacterial community on polypropylene degradation within the environment. Degradation is taking place as seen by slight oxidation being observed through FTIR, biofilm has also been observed on the incubated samples possibly meaning that there is interaction. This research allows for better understanding of how particular bacterial strains that are local to the Rochester area can be used to degrade polypropylene within the environment.