Synergistic effect of UV and chemical treatment on biological degradation of Polystyrene by Cephalosporium strain NCIM 1251.

The present study approaches the capability of Cephalosporium strain NCIM 1251 to degrade pre-treated polystyrene films. Polystyrene was initially treated with UV for the introduction of oxygen molecules in pure polystyrene samples. UV treatment inserts aliphatic ketones functional group in polystyrene whereas it created C-C stretching after chemical treatment in UV-treated polystyrene as analyzed by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The gravimetric study confirmed a decline in the weight of the pre-treated polystyrene by 20.62 ± 1.47% after 8 weeks of the incubation period. pH, total dissolved solids (TDS), and conductivity of mineral salt media were correlated with the extent of biodegradation. Treatment with UV and acid increased the thermal stability of pure polystyrene, whereas thermal stability decreased in pre-treated polystyrene after incubation with Cephalosporium strain NCIM 1251 as studied by Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) analysis observed revisions in the morphology and surface patterns in pre-treated polystyrene after inoculation with Cephalosporium strain NCIM 1251. The observed findings suggest that the Cephalosporium strain NCIM 1251 could be efficient for the decomposition of pre-treated polystyrene.