Dr Pranjal Bharali (third from left L), Assistant Professor, Department of Environmental Science, together with his Research Team at a lab in Nagaland University.
Lumami, March 23 (MExN): A multi-institute analysis team led by Nagaland University has developed a biodegradable biopolymer that gives a sustainable different to standard plastics, probably addressing the escalating international disaster of microplastic air pollution.
The polymer, often known as Polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB), was produced utilizing a bacterial pressure known as Bacillus subtilis FW1 remoted from fish waste disposal websites in Mokokchung district of Nagaland. PHB is biodegradable, biocompatible, and derived from organic sources, positioning it as a promising substitute for petroleum-based plastics.
Microplastics, tiny plastic particles that accumulate throughout ecosystems, have emerged as pollution of world concern. Due to their minute measurement, they’re simply ingested by organisms and progressively accumulate within the meals chain. Through biomagnification, the focus of those particles will increase at every trophic stage, finally reaching people and posing vital dangers to each well being and ecosystems.
The analysis, printed within the Journal of Polymer Research, a peer-reviewed publication of Springer Nature, was led by Dr Pranjal Bharali, Assistant Professor at Applied Environmental Microbial Biotechnology Laboratory within the Department of Environmental Science, Nagaland University. The team included doctoral students Shiva Aley Acharjee, Bhagyudoy Gogoi, Bendangtula Walling, Viphrezolie Sorhie, and Alemtoshi, together with researchers from different establishments.
Collaborating establishments included 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.
The research demonstrated that the bacterial pressure may accumulate as much as 69.2% PHB biopolyester, indicating robust manufacturing potential. Physico-chemical characterisation revealed excessive thermostability, whereas laboratory testing confirmed the fabric is biocompatible with human liver hepatocellular carcinoma cell traces (HepG2), suggesting its potential security for biomedical purposes.
In soil burial experiments utilizing the open windrow composting methodology, PHB movie degraded by roughly 59.6% inside 28 days, underscoring its potential as a sustainable biomaterial.
Nagaland University Vice Chancellor Prof Jagadish Okay Patnaik hailed the achievement, stating, “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.”
He 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. Nagaland University remains committed to advancing research that contributes to environmental sustainability, supports green technologies, and benefits society at large.”
Dr Pranjal Bharali stated advances in microbial biotechnology may play a important position in tackling the plastic air pollution disaster whereas creating sustainable supplies. “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.”
He famous that future analysis would concentrate on bettering bacterial pressure effectivity, optimising metabolic pathways, and utilising low-cost waste-based feedstocks to make PHB manufacturing economically aggressive with standard plastics.
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 emphasised the necessity to tackle a number of scientific and societal challenges shifting ahead, together with scaling up manufacturing processes, bettering downstream extraction strategies, learning biodegradation behaviour in several environmental situations and enhancing public consciousness about sustainable plastic options.