Developing & Testing Method for Isolating Rapid Degrading PVOH Microbes

Abstract:

In the past few years, plastic pollution has become a salient issue. Knowledge regarding the harm we are causing the environment has been more widespread as we become more aware of the impacts plastic pollution can lead to, in turn opting for more sustainable options. Doing so helps to conserve wildlife and protect the environment they live in, also providing us with pristine seas and seafood that is clean.

Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVOH), a water-soluble & biodegradable polymer which can help reduce plastic waste by replacing single-use bags, is a step towards becoming an increasingly sustainable community.

As it has been found that when PVOH is put in water it forms a suspension, the disposal of PVOH is not complete as it is still present in the water. PVOH degradation is also slow and limited. This project aims to investigate a new method - adding PVOH to a minimal medium agar - to seek rapid degrading microbes that can use the polymer as a carbon source. The polymer used in this project was sourced from a company called Hydroplast who found that PVOH has both biodegradable and water-soluble properties. The comparison of microbial growth on LB, PVOH and minimal medium plates will be done. To identify whether the microbe is able to use the polymer as a sole carbon source on the PVOH plate, staining will be performed using iodine and boric acid, producing a blue hue if PVOH is present. If a clear zone is present, it indicates high hydrolase/oxygenase activity. Comparison of growth between the minimal medium and PVOH plate will be done to understand whether the microbe is able to use PVOH as a carbon source. If growth on the minimal medium plate is negative, and present on the PVOH plate, it indicates that the colony uses PVOH as a carbon source instead of the nutrients that are innate in the minimal medium. The development of this method allows for further research to be conducted regarding PVOH and potential microbes that are efficient and rapid in degradation.