Published in Scientific Bulletin. Series F. Biotechnologies, Vol. XXVIII, Issue 2
Written by Olga POSTOLACHI, Inna RASTIMESINA, Vera MAMALIGA
Among the most known enzymes used for plastic degradation are esterase, cutinase, and lipase. These enzymes are synthesized by a wide range of microorganisms from different species. The research aimed to estimate lipolytic and cutinolytic activity of microorganisms isolated from the surface of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) films, using three rapid screening methods. The rapid tests used in this research are based on the addition to the culture medium of tributyrin, triacetin and flaxseed oil as inducers, and dyes as indicators of enzymes synthesis. The microorganisms included filamentous fungi and yeasts, pseudomonads and actinobacteria. Among 21 isolated strains of fungi, 90% strains possessed lipase activity, 29% exhibited high lipolytic activity. Only 57% of fungal isolates showed cutinase activity. Both extracellular enzymes were recorded for 43% of yeasts isolates. Lipolytic activity exhibited 83% of the tested strains of Pseudomonas spp., and 50% of Streptomyces spp., while cutinolytic activity only 33% of bacterial isolates. Both lipase and cutinase were produced by 41% of the total number of tested microorganisms. The ability to produce these extracellular hydrolytic enzymes indicates the possibility to metabolize polymers, such as polyethylene.
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