FTIR Spectral Analysis of Bacillus sp., Mediated Chemical Changes in UV Exposed Polystyrene Foam

The existence of synthetic polymeric wastes in the environment could have adverse impact on the biota. Although polystyrene has wide applicability in the industries, their mode of disposal should be in an ecofriendly manner. With this view, the present study was designed to elucidate the potential of bacteria persisting in Polystyrene (PS) waste dumped site to degrade polystyrene. FTIR spectral studies reveal that Bacillus sp. has induced chemical changes in polystyrene. Further, UV treatment has also caused chemical changes in PS. The formation of CH, C=C and OH group in the FTIR spectra of PS inoculated with Bacillus sp. for a period of one week and disappearance of absorption peak at 1373 cm-1 (CH) on prolonged incubation of PS for four weeks was evident. Furthermore, incubation of UV treated PS with Bacillus sp. has resulted in the formation of C-O (1288 cm-1) and disappearance of CH group (1492 cm-1) when compared to the UV untreated PS. Moreover, prolonged incubation for four weeks in MSM caused the evolution of new absorption peak at 1369 cm-1 (CH) and disappearance of absorption band at 1288 cm-1 (C-O). These observations indicate that Bacillus sp. could degrade polystyrene.

Meenashi Subramani*1 and Umamaheswari Sepperumal2 Click here to download file

Research Article | Published online : 18-Jan-2021