Stem-202 Group Project 2

Participants: Marina Fahmy, Ethan Huebner, Emily McElwaine
Course: STEM Scholars’ Research Lab II, STEM-202-HN01
Mentors: Jane Jones, Maddi Sigler, Brigid Sherman, Shelly Paterno
Assignment Title: Mycoremediation of low-density polyethylene plastic waste by Pleurotus ostreatus

Abstract

Mycoremediation, the use of fungi to degrade environmental contaminants, has emerged as a promising approach to addressing plastic pollution due to its low cost and scalability. This study investigates the potential of Pleurotus ostreatus as a biological agent for the degradation of low-density polyethylene (LDPE). LDPE films were prepared from grocery bags and subjected to ultraviolet-C (UVC) pretreatment for four days before incubation with P. ostreatus on mineral salt medium (MSM) agar at pH 7.0 for 30 days at room temperature. Experimental samples were divided into UVC-pretreated and untreated groups to monitor the mycoremediation process. Biotic and abiotic groups were randomly assigned as controls. Biodegradation was assessed through percent weight loss analysis, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) to determine the carbonyl index (absorption peak at approximately 1715 cm⁻¹), and measurement of laccase enzyme activity. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of P. ostreatus in LDPE degradation while examining the enzymatic mechanisms involved in fungal polymer breakdown. The findings contribute to ongoing efforts to develop inexpensive, scalable, and environmentally sustainable strategies for plastic waste remediation.