An assessment of the biodegradation of low density polyethylene - totally degradable plastic additives and poly-(ß-hydroxybutyrate) using phanerochaete chrysosporium under controlled laboratory conditions

Biodegradable plastics are one of the solutions in order to further minimize the problem on environmental devastation brought about by the non-biodegradable plastics. Low Density Polyethylene - Totally Degradable Plastic Additive (LDPE-TDPA) and Poly-(ß-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) are locally available biodegradable plastics. This study aims to assess the biodegradation of these locally available plastics in controlled laboratory environments using Phanerochaete chrysosporium. Phanerochaete chrysosporium growth was monitored by obtaining the cell dry weight, pH, refractive index and conductivity. Results show that there are two exponential phases that exist during the fungal growth in Modified Pelezar Media. The spores produced during the second exponential phase are necessary for P. chrysosporium growth in the biodegradation test