Thesis

Characterization of Microorganisms Isolated from Bantar Gebang Landfills in Bekasi for Plastic Degradation Potency

---

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polyurethane (PU) are two examples of plastics that have
integrated seamlessly into our daily lives. The qualities that make plastic so well-known are its low
cost, light weight, and strength. However, plastics also can harm the environment when they are no
longer in use because they are difficult to break down. The microbial plastic degrading method has
recently received attention due to its effectiveness and environmental safety property. They can
degrade plastic by secreting enzymes that may dissolve plastic polymers. The Bantargebang landfill
was selected as the study's sample collection location. To increase the diversity of isolates and the
likelihood of finding prospective plastic-degrading microorganisms for PET and PU, various samples
from the Bantargebang landfill will be gathered, including soil, leachate, and plastic debris. This
experiment will begin with the collection of samples, cultivation of microorganisms isolated from
Bantar Gebang landfills using selective media (screening 1 and screening 2), characterization of the
bacterial isolates and a plastic degradation potency test (measure the percentage of plastic weight
loss and Fourier transform infrared). This research has successfully isolated six bacteria colonies (3
from PET treatment and 3 from PU treatment) from the screening 2 process. The 3 isolates from PET
treatment have proven to be able to degrade plastic by showing a weight decrease percentage of
roughly 1%–1.6%, which was also validated with the FTIR results. Soil 2 from PET treatment appeared
to have the highest weight loss percentage. However, the PU treatment resulted in a negative weight
loss percentage (no decrease in weight loss percentage), although the FTIR data showed some
decrease in peak intensity. As for the recommendation, a longer incubation period of at least 3
months is required to establish the potency test findings from all isolates, and further analysis such
as SEM may also confirm the biodegradation activity.

---

Availability

Detail Information

Series Title

-

Call Number

BT 23-019

Publisher

i3L, Jakarta : i3L, Jakarta., 2023

Collation

-

Language

English

ISBN/ISSN

-

Classification

NONE

Content Type

-

Media Type

-

Carrier Type

-

Edition

-

Subject(s)

FTIR
plastic
microbial plastic degradation
PET
PU
Weight loss percentage

Specific Detail Info

-

Statement of Responsibility

-

Other version/related

File Attachment

Comments

---

You must be logged in to post a comment