Biodeterioration of Compost-Pretreated Polyvinyl Chloride Films by Microorganisms Isolated From Weathered Plastics.

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is a petroleum-based plastic used in various applications, polluting the environment because of its recalcitrance, large content of additives, and the presence of halogen. In our case study, a new, two-stage biodegradation technology that combined composting process used for PVC pretreatment with a subsequent PVC attack by newly-isolated fungal and bacterial strains under SSF conditions was used for biodegradation of commercial PVC films. The novelty consisted in a combined effect of the two biodegradation processes and the use for augmentation of microbial strains isolated from plastic-polluted environments.

Effect of yeasts on biodegradation potential of immobilized cultures of white rot fungi.

The aim was to investigate the effect of yeast organisms on the degradation process by immobilized cultures of ligninolytic fungi. Immobilization was accomplished by 7-day colonization of polyamide mesh with mycelial fragments. Irpex lacteus decolorized >90% of the initial concentration of 150mgl of anthraquinone Remazol Brilliant Blue R dye in three subsequent decolorization cycles and the degradation capacity was not negatively affected by the presence of 10Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells per ml in the mixed culture.

Effect of bacteria on the degradation ability of Pleurotus ostreatus.

White-rot fungi are efficient degraders of lignin whose extracellular enzymes have a potential to degrade organopollutants. In natural conditions these fungi enter into interactions with other organisms, which may affect their biodegradation capacity. The aim was to investigate the ability of Pleurotus ostreatus to form stable biofilms and to test the capacity of the fungus to degrade Remazol Brilliant Blue R in mixed cultures with bacteria.