Isolation and characterization of polyethylene glycol (PEG) degrading bacteria from a landfill in Imus, Cavite, Philippines

Abstract

Plastic waste persisting in both land and water is a growing concern worldwide and the need to manage such waste is of utmost concern. This study aimed to isolate and characterize polyethylene glycol-degrading bacteria from a landfill in Imus, Cavite. Soil samples were collected from a landfill in Imus, Cavite. Polyethylene glycol-degrading bacteria were isolated from the soil using polyethylene glycol containing mineral salt medium agar, and screened for their capacity to degrade PEG using the clear-zone test. The bacterial isolates were then subsequently characterized using cultural, morphological, physiological, and biochemical tests. In this study, three bacterial isolates were found to grow in MSM+PEG agar which is an indication that these isolates can degrade polyethylene glycol. Results of the study also demonstrated that the Ochrobactrum anthropi exhibited the largest Mean ± SD clearing zone size of 1.32000 ± 0.07550 mm followed by Pseudomonas putida with 0.42333 ± 0.06429 mm and Acinetobacter lwoffii with 0.19667 ± 0.05033 mm. This study confirmed probable polyethylene glycoldegrading bacteria from the soils of the landfill located in Imus, Cavite.