Biodegradative activities of fungal isolates from plastic contaminated soils

Fungal strains were isolated from plastic contaminated soils in open dump sites located in different governorates in Egypt. The isolates showed various abilities in enzymes production that were related to soil origins and characteristics. For example, fungi isolated from El-Sharqia soil were able to produce protease, esterase, lipase followed by those isolated from Ismailia soil. Moreover, isolates with high esterase activity were identified as Monascus ruber, Monascus sanguineus and Monascus sp. The results showed that M. ruber could produce maximum esterase concentration followed by M. sanguineus. The same three Monascus species were selected to assess polyurethane biodegradation. Monascus sp. isolated from El-Sharqia was the most efficient isolate in degradation of polyurethane in the form of Impranil DLN. In addition, SEM micrographs and zeta potential measurements confirmed the adsorption and complex formation between the polyurethane and the hyphae of Monascus sp.