Evaluation of Bacillus-Associated Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) surfaces for biodegradation

The escalating threat of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) microplastic pollution necessitates an urgent environmentally friendly approach. This study explores the potential of local bacterial isolates to biodegrade PET microplastics. Bacteria isolated from the surface of PET plastic bottles taken fr...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Khalida Khalil, Aina Liyana Mohamad Desa, Nurul Aisyah Ruslan, Nazlina Haiza Mohd Yasin, Farah Hannan Anuar, Wan Syaidatul Aqma
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Penerbit Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia 2025
Online Access:http://journalarticle.ukm.my/25920/
http://journalarticle.ukm.my/25920/1/MD%202.pdf
_version_ 1848816483420864512
author Khalida Khalil,
Aina Liyana Mohamad Desa,
Nurul Aisyah Ruslan,
Nazlina Haiza Mohd Yasin,
Farah Hannan Anuar,
Wan Syaidatul Aqma,
author_facet Khalida Khalil,
Aina Liyana Mohamad Desa,
Nurul Aisyah Ruslan,
Nazlina Haiza Mohd Yasin,
Farah Hannan Anuar,
Wan Syaidatul Aqma,
author_sort Khalida Khalil,
building UKM Institutional Repository
collection Online Access
description The escalating threat of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) microplastic pollution necessitates an urgent environmentally friendly approach. This study explores the potential of local bacterial isolates to biodegrade PET microplastics. Bacteria isolated from the surface of PET plastic bottles taken from Dengkil Inert Waste Landfill were screened for esterase activity and biofilm formation. PET degradation was assessed through mass weight reduction, scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis for morphological changes, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) for chemical structure alterations. Two of the five selected isolates were positive for producing esterase and biofilm ability as well as biodegrade PET leading to a 2.04% - 2.08% degradation (20 days incubation). FT-IR indicated changes in PET chemical structure, particularly in C-H, C=O, and C-O bonds, while SEM revealed morphological changes such as cracks and holes on the PET surface. Identification through 16S rRNA sequencing indicated bacterial isolates are Bacillus paramycoides DIWL 1, Bacillus cereus DIWL 2, Bacillus safensis DIWL 3, Bacillus luciferensis DIWL 4, and Bacillus cereus DIWL 5. The results of this study can be used for further research on the potential of local isolates in the decomposition of PET microplastics which in turn can be used to develop a sustainable and cost-effective microplastic treatment (PET) technology.
first_indexed 2025-11-15T01:06:35Z
format Article
id oai:generic.eprints.org:25920
institution Universiti Kebangasaan Malaysia
institution_category Local University
language English
last_indexed 2025-11-15T01:06:35Z
publishDate 2025
publisher Penerbit Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
recordtype eprints
repository_type Digital Repository
spelling oai:generic.eprints.org:259202025-10-01T03:20:47Z http://journalarticle.ukm.my/25920/ Evaluation of Bacillus-Associated Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) surfaces for biodegradation Khalida Khalil, Aina Liyana Mohamad Desa, Nurul Aisyah Ruslan, Nazlina Haiza Mohd Yasin, Farah Hannan Anuar, Wan Syaidatul Aqma, The escalating threat of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) microplastic pollution necessitates an urgent environmentally friendly approach. This study explores the potential of local bacterial isolates to biodegrade PET microplastics. Bacteria isolated from the surface of PET plastic bottles taken from Dengkil Inert Waste Landfill were screened for esterase activity and biofilm formation. PET degradation was assessed through mass weight reduction, scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis for morphological changes, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) for chemical structure alterations. Two of the five selected isolates were positive for producing esterase and biofilm ability as well as biodegrade PET leading to a 2.04% - 2.08% degradation (20 days incubation). FT-IR indicated changes in PET chemical structure, particularly in C-H, C=O, and C-O bonds, while SEM revealed morphological changes such as cracks and holes on the PET surface. Identification through 16S rRNA sequencing indicated bacterial isolates are Bacillus paramycoides DIWL 1, Bacillus cereus DIWL 2, Bacillus safensis DIWL 3, Bacillus luciferensis DIWL 4, and Bacillus cereus DIWL 5. The results of this study can be used for further research on the potential of local isolates in the decomposition of PET microplastics which in turn can be used to develop a sustainable and cost-effective microplastic treatment (PET) technology. Penerbit Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia 2025 Article PeerReviewed application/pdf en http://journalarticle.ukm.my/25920/1/MD%202.pdf Khalida Khalil, and Aina Liyana Mohamad Desa, and Nurul Aisyah Ruslan, and Nazlina Haiza Mohd Yasin, and Farah Hannan Anuar, and Wan Syaidatul Aqma, (2025) Evaluation of Bacillus-Associated Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) surfaces for biodegradation. Malaysian Applied Biology, 54 (2). pp. 19-27. ISSN 0126-8643 https://jms.mabjournal.com/index.php/mab/issue/view/67
spellingShingle Khalida Khalil,
Aina Liyana Mohamad Desa,
Nurul Aisyah Ruslan,
Nazlina Haiza Mohd Yasin,
Farah Hannan Anuar,
Wan Syaidatul Aqma,
Evaluation of Bacillus-Associated Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) surfaces for biodegradation
title Evaluation of Bacillus-Associated Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) surfaces for biodegradation
title_full Evaluation of Bacillus-Associated Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) surfaces for biodegradation
title_fullStr Evaluation of Bacillus-Associated Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) surfaces for biodegradation
title_full_unstemmed Evaluation of Bacillus-Associated Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) surfaces for biodegradation
title_short Evaluation of Bacillus-Associated Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) surfaces for biodegradation
title_sort evaluation of bacillus-associated polyethylene terephthalate (pet) surfaces for biodegradation
url http://journalarticle.ukm.my/25920/
http://journalarticle.ukm.my/25920/
http://journalarticle.ukm.my/25920/1/MD%202.pdf