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Promy Virk

Associate Professor

Associate Professor

كلية العلوم
5T104
publication
Journal Article
2025

A facile biodegradation of polystyrene microplastic by Bacillus subtilis

The extensive application of polystyrene (PS) in the industry and the release of polystyrene microplastics (PS-MPs) in the environmental compartments has raised global concerns. The ability of microbes to utilize PS as a carbon source has been currently established. This study utilized Bacillus subtilis (ATCC 11774) to break down environmentally relevant sized PS-MPs (5 µm) with and without abiotic (thermal and UV radiations) pretreatment for a period of 4 weeks. The biodegradation rate was validated using UV–visible (UV–Vis) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrophotometry, scanning electron microscopy coupled with EDX analysis. After 4 weeks, all inoculated PS-MP samples with and without pretreatment showed marked changes in the UV–vis spectra in comparison to the pristine PS-MPs. Additionally, FTIR spectra displayed surface modifications of functional groups in all inoculated samples linked to chain scission/oxidation were highlighted by a notable increase in the carbonyl index during biodegradation. SEM micrographs confirmed the marked fragility of the particles, and a probable oxidation degree was evaluated as an atomic O/C ratio that corroborates the biodegradative potential of B. subtilis. The core finding underscores that B. subtilis can grow on, alter, and use PS as a carbon source, either with or without abiotic pretreatment, emphasizing the role of biological pathways as a sustainable strategy for plastic waste management.

Keywords: microplasticspolystyreneBacillus subtilis biodegradationgreen strategy

Publication Work Type
PhD
Publisher Name
De Gruyter
Publishing City
Warsaw
Volume Number
14: 20240153
Magazine \ Newspaper
Green Process and Synthesis
more of publication
publications

The extensive application of polystyrene (PS) in the industry and the release of polystyrene microplastics (PS-MPs) in the environmental compartments has raised global concerns. The ability of…

by Norah Raqi Al-Otaibi , Promy Virk EMAIL logo , Rasha Elsayim , Mohammed Elbagir Amin , Asma Mudhahi Alshammari , Alanoud Tariq Al Sudairi , Nada Ali Almohawis , Dalia Fouad , Manal A. Awad , Abdel-Basit Al-Odayni and Gadah Albasher
2025
Published in:
De Gruyter
publications
by Alenazi, A.; Virk, P.; Almoqhem, R.; Alsharidah, A.; Al-Ghadi, M.Q.; Aljabr, W.; Alasmari, F.; Albasher, G.
2024
Published in:
MDPI