Kohima, March 23: A Nagaland University-led multi-institute analysis staff has developed a biodegradable biopolymer that would provide an eco-friendly different to traditional plastics and assist deal with the rising international disaster of microplastic air pollution.
Microplastics are tiny plastic particles that accumulate within the setting. They have emerged as pollution of world concern as a result of their widespread presence throughout ecosystems. Because of their small dimension, these particles are simply ingested by organisms, particularly filter feeders and step by step accumulate within the meals chain.
Through a course of often known as ‘Biomagnification’, the focus of microplastics will increase at every trophic degree, ultimately reaching people on the prime of the meals chain, thereby posing vital dangers to human well being and ecosystems.
Addressing this problem, researchers from Nagaland University and companion establishments targeted on producing a biodegradable bacterial biopolymer referred to as ‘Polyhydroxybutyrate’ (PHB). The polymer was produced from a bacterial pressure referred to as ‘Bacillus subtilis FW1’, which was beforehand remoted from fish waste disposal websites in Mokokchung district of Nagaland. PHB has attracted rising curiosity as a possible substitute for petroleum-based plastics as a result of it’s biodegradable, biocompatible and derived from organic sources.
The findings have been revealed in Journal of Polymer Research (https://doi.org/10.1007/s10965-025-04473-2), a peer-reviewed scientific journal revealed by the distinguished Springer Nature that focuses on analysis associated to the synthesis, characterization, processing and purposes of polymeric supplies.
The analysis was carried out by a staff from the Applied Environmental Microbial Biotechnology Laboratory within the Department of Environmental Science, Nagaland University, led by Dr. Pranjal Bharali, Assistant Professor. The analysis group consists of doctoral students Mr. Shiva Aley Acharjee, Mr. Bhagyudoy Gogoi, Ms. Bendangtula Walling, Mr. Viphrezolie Sorhie and Mr. Alemtoshi, moreover researchers from different institutes.
The research was carried out in collaboration with scientists and researchers from a number of establishments throughout India, together with Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology, CSIR-North East Institute of Science and Technology, Tezpur University, Bharathiar University, University of Science and Technology Meghalaya, and Galgotias University.
Highlighting the main target of the college on creating options to vital points, Prof. Jagadish Ok. Patnaik, Vice Chancellor, Nagaland University, mentioned, “Nagaland University takes immense pride in the successful development of a biodegradable biopolymer through a collaborative, multi-institutional research initiative led by our university. This innovative material, produced from bacteria isolated from fish waste disposal sites in Nagaland, represents a significant step forward in addressing the global challenge of microplastic pollution.”
Prof. Jagadish Ok. Patnaik added, “The development of this eco-friendly and sustainable alternative to conventional plastics highlights the importance of scientific research rooted in local resources and environmental responsibility. By offering a biodegradable solution that can help reduce plastic waste, lower carbon emissions, and promote greener industrial materials, this research demonstrates the transformative potential of interdisciplinary collaboration. Nagaland University remains committed to advancing research that contributes to environmental sustainability, supports green technologies, and benefits society at large. We congratulate the research team led by Dr. Pranjal Bharali and partner institutions for this remarkable achievement.”
The research demonstrated a number of promising findings. The bacterial pressure was in a position to accumulate as much as 69.2 per cent PHB biopolyester, indicating sturdy manufacturing potential. Detailed physico-chemical characterisation additionally confirmed that the biopolymer possesses excessive thermostability. Importantly, laboratory testing revealed that the fabric is biocompatible with human liver hepatocellular carcinoma cell strains (HepG2), indicating its potential security for biomedical purposes.
Elaborating on the analysis, Dr. Pranjal Bharali, Assistant Professor, Department of Environmental Science, Nagaland University, mentioned, “Advances in microbial biotechnology, such as this study, could play a critical role in addressing the global plastic pollution crisis while creating sustainable materials that benefit both industry and the environment. This research highlights how bacterial biopolymers could help reduce dependence on fossil fuel–based plastics while contributing to a circular bioeconomy. Widespread adoption of such biodegradable materials could reduce environmental pollution, mitigate microplastic formation, lower carbon emissions and open new possibilities in sectors such as medicine, agriculture and sustainable packaging.”
Dr. Pranjal Bharali added, “Future research will focus on improving bacterial strain efficiency, optimising metabolic pathways and utilising low-cost waste-based feedstocks to make PHB production economically competitive with conventional plastics.”
Further analysis of the fabric’s environmental behaviour confirmed encouraging biodegradability outcomes. The PHB movie produced through the analysis degraded by roughly 59.6 per cent inside 28 days throughout soil burial experiments utilizing the open windrow composting technique. Researchers word that this degree of biodegradability demonstrates the potential of PHB as a sustainable and environmentally pleasant biomaterial.
At current, the researchers have efficiently remoted micro organism from fish waste disposal websites in Mokokchung and synthesised PHB utilizing glucose as a carbon supply. The extracted polymer has undergone biodegradability and biocompatibility assessments, demonstrating its non-cytotoxic nature and promising environmental efficiency.The researchers additionally emphasise the necessity to tackle a number of scientific and societal challenges shifting ahead, together with scaling up manufacturing processes, enhancing downstream extraction strategies, finding out biodegradation behaviour in numerous environmental situations and enhancing public consciousness about sustainable plastic options.