Page 57 - Plastics News June 2018

teChnoLogy

MSU researchers to identify fungus that can degrade plastic waste

an the humble little fungus help degrade tonnes of work in Indian climatic conditions,” said Padhiar, adding
Cplastic waste that is generated daily and threatening that it is mandatory
our environment? A team of botanists from M S University’s to identify and grow
Faculty of Science are working on a project to degrade local fungi species
tonnes of plastic waste wit h the help of fungus. The for degradation of
Project is sanctioned by the GSFC Science Foundation. plastic.The two year
The research team has taken up the study to address the long research study is
problem of plastic waste, especially polythene bags in aimed at identifying
Vadodara through bio-remediation (by using specific fungal fungal and bacterial
and bacterial species to degrade plastic waste).“Disposal species that are
plastic is a big challenge as it takes thousands of years to tolerant to high temperature and also capable of digesting
degrade naturally. Moreover, its dumping or incineration plastic waste.“The Vadodara Municipal Corporation which
or burning are equally harmful to both environment and is also enthusiastic about the project has given us a go
human health. Bio-remediation, is thus a safe and viable ahead for collection, segregation and analysis of waste
solution to growing plastic menace,” said Dr Amee Padhiar, from their disposal sites for the research study,” she
co-investigator of the project.The project sanctioned said.The research output established at lab level though
by GSFC Science Foundation chairman Dr S K Nanda has a series of simulation study trials will then be put to
professor Susy Albert as principal investigator and Mitu application in the natural environment.“The successful
Mewada as research fellow from the Department of Botany. results of this project will not only help in curbing the
According to researchers, internationally, some fungal plastic waste menace at local level but such a study can
species that can degrade plastic have been identified. easily be replicated for other Indian cities too having
similar weather conditions,” said Dr K D Bhatt, member
“But working of each of fungi species is local environment
specific. A fungi species identified elsewhere will not secretary of GSFC Science Foundation.

57 June 2018 Plastics News