Okonkwo NN¹*, Amuchie JC¹, Egurefa SO², Okey-Ndeche NF³, Awari VG⁴, Ogbunude AP⁵, Akpadolu CB¹, Ogujiofor FI¹, Ojeah IK⁶ and Agu KC¹

¹Applied Microbiology Department, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria
²Department of Science Laboratory Technology, Southern Delta University, Ozoro, Delta State, Nigeria
³Department of Microbiology, Veritas University Abuja, Area Council, Bwari, Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria
⁴Depertment of Microbiology, Tansian University, Umunya, Anambra, Nigeria
⁵Department of Public Health, School of Health and Life Sciences, Teeside University, Middlesbrough, UK
⁶Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, University of Delta Agbor, Delta State, Nigeria

*Corresponding Author:Okonkwo NN, Applied Microbiology Department, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria.

Received: May 19, 2026; Published: June 09, 2026

Abstract

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles are composed of many polymerized styrene monomers that are generally considered to be recalcitrant and are resistant to biodegradation. In this study, the ability of fungi to degrade Styrofoam were investigated using fungi isolated from a 30-day vermicompost prepared with soil gotten from Ifite, Awka in Anambra State, South-east, Nigeria. The fungi isolated were Aspergillus niger and Penicillium chrysogenum. The ability of these fungi to degrade polyethylene terephthalate was studied using a Mineral Salt Vitamin Medium and the polyethylene terephthalate as a carbon source. The level of degradation was assessed through spectrophotometric analysis at 680 nm, all of which were considered at 5-day intervals for 20 days. The results showed maximal increase in optical densities for Aspergillus niger and a decrease on certain days for Penicillium chrysogenum. The increase in optical density indicates increase in degradation and corresponds with the principle of spectrophotometry which states that the higher the optical density, the lower the transmittance. Decrease in optical density could be as a result of decrease in nutrients present in the medium which is the decline phase. The results showed that penicillium chrysogenum has a higher ability to degrade PET when compared with Aspergillus niger as seen in the graphical presentation. This study showed that fungi have the potential to be used in biodegradation of PET bottles. Hence, the use of fungi for PET degradation has gained importance recently and can be applied in other to control the pollution that evolves from the use of PET bottles.

Keywords: Biodegradation; Polyethylene Terephthalate; Bottle; Mold; Vermicompost

References

1. Awari EN., et al. “Biodegradation as a mechanism for environmental sustainability and waste management”. African Journal of Environmental Science and Technology4 (2023): 210-220.
2. Agu KC., et al. “Microbial biodegradation processes and environmental sustainability”. Journal of Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology3 (2023): 88-97.
3. Chidi-Onuorah LC., et al. “Enzymatic decomposition of organic substrates by soil microorganisms”. Journal of Microbial Ecology1 (2015): 55-64.
4. Okafor UC., et al. “Role of biodegradation in nutrient recycling and soil fertility improvement”. Journal of Soil Biology and Ecology4 (2016): 150-159.
5. Agu KC., et al. “Environmental biodegradation and microbial transformation of organic pollutants”. Journal of Environmental Microbiology 2 (2014): 77-85.
6. Anaukwu CG., et al. “Environmental factors influencing microbial biodegradation activities”. African Journal of Environmental Science and Technology7 (2016): 210-218.
7. Agu KC and Chidozie VN. “Fungal identification and biodegradation potentials of environmental isolates”. Journal of Applied Environmental Microbiology3 (2021): 112-121.
8. Agu KC., et al. “Extracellular enzyme production and biodegradation capabilities of fungal isolates”. International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences12 (2013): 234-243.
9. Agu KC., et al. “Bioremediation of hydrocarbon-polluted soils using indigenous microbial populations”. Environmental Biotechnology Journal4 (2022): 205-217.
10. Mbachu AE., et al. “Hydrocarbon biodegradation by microbial isolates from oil-contaminated soils”. International Journal of Environmental Bioremediation2 (2014): 77-86.
11. Ifediegwu CC., et al. “Microbial bioremediation of industrial waste sites using indigenous microorganisms”. Journal of Environmental Protection and Management3 (2015): 122-131.
12. Agu KC and Odibo FJC. “Biodegradation of polyethylene terephthalate by microbial isolates from polluted environments”. African Journal of Biotechnology15 (2021): 745-754.
13. Okeke BC., et al. “Utilization of plastic polymers as carbon sources by microorganisms”. Journal of Applied Polymer Science 12 (2023): 1-11.
14. Oparaji EC., et al. “Enzymatic depolymerization and mineralization of polyethylene terephthalate plastics”. Journal of Environmental Polymer Degradation1 (2024): 55-68.
15. Egurefa MO., et al. “Fungal diversity and biodegradation potential in vermicompost systems”. Environmental Microbiology Reports1 (2024): 44-56.
16. Agu KC., et al. “Adaptive biodegradation potentials of microorganisms isolated from contaminated environments”. International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology6 (2015): 1835-1844.
17. Uwanta LI., et al. “Vermicomposting systems as reservoirs of biodegradative microorganisms”. Nigerian Journal of Applied Microbiology1 (2023): 66-75.
18. Okonkwo CJ., et al. “Microbial diversity and enzymatic activity in vermicomposting systems”. African Journal of Biotechnology 6 (2023): 299-308.
19. Orji MU., et al. “Adaptive traits of microorganisms isolated from contaminated environments”. Environmental Research and Biotechnology2 (2022): 133-145.
20. Ezenwelu CO., et al. “Locally adapted fungal strains and their enzymatic mechanisms in plastic degradation”. Nigerian Journal of Environmental Biotechnology2 (2024): 91-103.
21. Suzuki T., et al. “Mineral salt vitamin medium formulation for microbial degradation studies”. Journal of Fermentation Technology4 (1973): 215-221.
22. Anastasi A., et al. “Isolation and identification of fungal communities in compost and vermicompost”. Mycologia 1 (2005): 33-44.
23. Silawat N., et al. “Fungal diversity in vermicompost and compost ecosystems”. Asian Journal of Microbiology, Biotechnology and Environmental Sciences2 (2013): 211-216.
24. Shimpi NG., et al. “Biodegradation of synthetic plastics by Aspergillus niger”. International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences5 (2014): 122-126.
25. Oviedo C., et al. “Biodegradation of polyethylene terephthalate by Penicillium chrysogenum under laboratory conditions”. Journal of Environmental Biotechnology4 (2020): 215-224.

Citation

Citation: Okonkwo NN., et al. “Biodegradation of Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) Bottle by Mold Isolated from a 30 Days Vermicompost". Acta Scientific Environmental Science 3.1 (2026): 01-07.

Copyright

Copyright: © 2026 Okonkwo NN., et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.