Characterization of Streptomyces species with poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) degradation capabilities isolated from rice field soil.

The shift towards sustainable alternatives to petroleum-based polymers has become essential for addressing environmental challenges. Among these alternatives, bio-plastics such as poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) have gained considerable attention due to their biodegradability into water and carbon dioxide through microbial activity. PHB is one of the most widely commercialized bio-plastics. However, its excessive accumulation in the environment due to insufficient degradation remains a significant ecological concern. This study focused on isolating and characterizing PHB-degrading bacteria from soil samples collected from rice fields. Screening led to the identification of five PHB-degrading bacterial strains belonging to different genera. Among these, Streptomyces sp. AG7 and Streptomyces sp. RG41 were identified as the most effective PHB degraders. Their PHB-degrading abilities were evaluated in shake-flask cultures using PHB films as substrates. After 20 days of incubation at 37 °C, Streptomyces sp. AG7 and Streptomyces sp. RG41 achieved PHB degradation rates of approximately 74.7 % and 68.5 %, respectively. Additionally, both strains demonstrated the ability to produce indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), a key phytohormone that promotes plant growth, and exhibited phosphate-solubilizing activity, which enhances nutrient availability. Further analysis using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed structural changes in the PHB films, while gel permeation chromatography (GPC) confirmed significant alterations in the polymer's molecular properties. These findings highlight the potential of utilizing soil-derived Streptomyces species for sustainable PHB waste management, in order to promote plant growth, improve soil fertility through phosphate solubilization, and contribute to agricultural sustainability.