Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) investigation of polystyrene damage due to colonization by locally isolated Xylaria sp.

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Colonization of microorganisms on pollutants is the first indication of the potential ability of microbes to utilize plastic pollutants as a carbon source by sequential biodegradation into usable form for sustenance. The Philippines is considered as the third highest country contributing to global mismanaged plastic waste. To locally manage and find a natural and innovative solution to this worldwide concern, this study aims to evaluate the capacity of Xylaria sp. SDM (sterile dark mycelia) wild type, which was previously reported to colonize polyethylene plastic, and mutant strains to colonize polystyrene, which is among the widely produced plastic pollutants in the world. Assessment of the ability of local Xylaria sp. strains to grow, penetrate, and damage the surface and inner structures of polystyrene was investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM).

Methods: Xylaria sp. strains were cultured in a pH 5.0 mineral medium with 0.5% glucose as carbon source and polystyrene as a co-carbon source, and stored at 250C for 50 days. At the end of the incubation period, due to irremovable fungal strains on the surface of the polystyrene strips, samples of polystyrene from each strain were subjected to SEM.

Results: On the 20th day of incubation, the presence of mucilaginous sheaths and fungal growth were observed on the surface of treated polystyrene strips. At the end of 50-day incubation period, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) confirmed fungal growth and colonization, through the presence of mycelial mats and hyphae, of the wild type and mutant strains on the surface and subsurface structure of polystyrene except the control. Moreover, physical surface damage in the form of holes, cracks, and crevices on polystyrene demonstrated the active burrowing action of Xylaria sp. strains further supporting the potential of this fungus to damage polystyrene plastic.

Conclusion: Whereas fungal growth on a polymer surface is necessary but not sufficient to conclude the process of carbon assimilation as the final biodegradation step, the initial colonization of Xylaria sp. strains on polystyrene supports its ability to establish itself and physically damage the pollutant. Hence, this study extends the existing knowledge on the colonizing ability of Xylaria sp. on plastic making it a potential candidate organism to biodegrade plastic waste, which is one of the topmost environmental waste hazards in the world today.