Morphological Characterization of Polyethylene Biodegradation by Soil-Derived Bacterial Isolate F3 using SEM and FESEM Analysis

Abstract

Plastic pollution represents a serious environmental concern because synthetic polymers persist for long periods and accumulate in natural ecosystems. Microbial degradation has emerged as a sustainable and environmentally friendly strategy for managing plastic waste, as microorganisms can metabolize polymeric materials through enzymatic activity. In the present investigation, soil-derived microorganisms capable of degrading polyethylene were isolated from plastic-contaminated sites and enriched using polyethylene as the primary carbon source. The biodegradation process was evaluated under controlled laboratory conditions over time using time-dependent weight-loss measurements.

To obtain direct evidence of degradation, surface morphology of polyethylene films before and after microbial exposure was examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). Microscopic observations revealed microbial attachment and biofilm development on polymer surfaces, while treated samples exhibited clear structural damage, including cracks, pores, cavities, and surface erosion. These morphological alterations, together with quantitative weight-loss results, confirm active microbial degradation. Among the isolates evaluated, strain F3 exhibited the highest biodegradation efficiency, with a maximum polyethylene weight reduction of approximately 3.84% after 60 days of incubation. These findings highlight the potential of soil-derived microorganisms for environmentally sustainable plastic waste management.