Degradation of Polypropylene by the Pseudomonas aeruginosa Strains LICME WZH-4 and WGH-6

摘要

Abstract In the present study, two strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, WZH-4 and WGH-6, were isolated based on their ability to survive with polypropylene (PP) as the sole source of carbon. Then, the degradation of PP particles by the two strains was analyzed using weight loss, Scanning Electron Microscopy, contact angle, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, Thermal Gravimetric Analysis and Differential Scanning Calorimetry. After 40?days of cultivation, these strains led to a weight loss of 9.35%?±?2.22 and 17.2%?±?1.56, respectively, while their biomass both increased. Moreover, PP surface exhibited pits and oxygenated functional group. And the hydrophobicity and the thermal stability of PP were significantly reduced.Graphical Abstract