Isopropanol’s Effect on Rhodococcus Rhodochrous Degrading Polyethylene Terephthalate

Overview

Plastic pollution poses significant threats to human health and the environment. While recycling is often considered a solution, it is not the ideal method for disposing of plastic waste due to its harmful side effects. An emerging and safer alternative is the use of microorganisms for plastic degradation. R. rhodochrous, a part of the Actinobacteria phylum, is seen to have biodegradative qualities. This research study examined the effects of R. rhodochrous degradative ability on Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) plastic when treated with different amounts of isopropanol. The bacteria were initially grown in Luria Broth. Cultures were then treated with varying percentages of isopropanol. After the cultures grew for some time, PET samples were introduced. When observed, no signs of degradation were noted in the PET samples. They remained the same size as before, and their dimensions were unchanged. Further research could explore additional variables and conditions that might enable R. rhodochrous’s biodegradative activity on PET plastic.