The Biodegradation of Polystyrene by bacteria from landfills ( High School Project )

The purpose of this study was to identify groups of bacteria from landfils that are capable of degrading polystyrene foam. Mineral salt medium with polystyrene foam as the only carbon source was used to enrich bacteria in this experiment. After 1 months of incubation, surface of polystyrene foams were observed by using compound microscope and scanning electron microscope. The consortium of microbe were identified by 16s Ribosomal DNA and DGGE technique to study the change of microbe population. The microbial fingerprints show that some of bacteria are able to grow in condition that polystyrene is the sole carbon source. Some traces of biodegradation were found on the surface of polystyrene foam under scanning electron microscope once compared to the control group.