Kumar Harshvardhan, Bhavanath Jha, Biodegradation of low-density 
polyethylene by marine bacteria from pelagic waters, Arabian Sea, India, 
Marine Pollution Bulletin, Available online 7 November 2013, ISSN 
0025-326X, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2013.10.025.
(http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0025326X13006462)
Abstract: Sixty marine bacteria isolated from pelagic waters were 
screened for their ability to degrade low-density polyethylene; among 
them, three were positive and able to grow in a medium containing 
polythene as the sole carbon source. The positive isolates were 
identified as Kocuria palustris M16, Bacillus pumilus M27 and Bacillus 
subtilis H1584 based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence homology. The weight 
loss of polyethylene was 1%, 1.5% and 1.75% after 30 days of incubation 
with the M16, M27 and H1584 isolates, respectively. The maximum (32%) 
cell surface hydrophobicity was observed in M16, followed by the H1584 
and M27 isolates. The viability of the isolates growing on the 
polyethylene surface was confirmed using a triphenyltetrazolium chloride 
reduction test. The viability was also correlated with a concomitant 
increase in the protein density of the biomass. Polyethylene 
biodegradation was further confirmed by an increase in the Keto Carbonyl 
Bond Index, the Ester Carbonyl Bond Index and the Vinyl Bond Index, 
which were calculated from FT-IR spectra.