Comparative in situ biodegradation studies of polyhydroxybutyrate film composites

Application of polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) to plastic industry has expanded over the last decades due to its attracting features over petro-based plastic, and therefore, its waste accumulation in nature is inevitable. In the present study, a total of four bacterial strains, viz., MK3, PN12, PW1, and Lna3, were formulated into a consortium and subsequently used as biological tool for degradation of biopolymers. The consortium was tested through lambda(max) shifts under in vitro conditions for utilization of PHB as sole carbon source. Talc-based bioformulations of consortium were used for the degradation of PHB film composites under in situ conditions. After 9 months of incubation, the recovered samples were monitored through Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), respectively. Analytical data, viz., changes in kmax shifts (212-219 nm), FT-IR spectra, and SEM micrographs, revealed the biodegradation potential of developed consortium against PHB film composites, i.e., higher degradation of copolymer films was found over blend films. The used consortium had enhanced the rate of natural degradation and can be further used as a natural tool to maintain and restore global environmental safety.