Screening of the polythene degrading fungi collected from west coast of Gujarat

At three different pH (pH 3.5, 7, 9.5) screening of the polythene degrading fungi was carried out based on percent weight loss and changes in tensile strength after 2 months of regular shaking at room temperature. Maximum percent weight loss (13.63 ±4.93%) of the polythene after 2 month of regular shaking was found with isolates JAMNF 3 at pH3.5 whereas minimum percent weight loss (0.00±0.00 %) was reported with JAMNF6 at pH 3.5. In the present study we also reported percent weight gain (24.41±6.99 % with JAMNF4 at pH 9.5) of the polythene instead weight loss that might be due to accumulation of fungal hyphae in the scions of polythene caused due to degradation of the polythene. Based on changes in tensile strength, fungal isolate SURF3 recorded maximum changes in tensile strength (19±0.00 Kg/cm2) at pH 9.5 as compare to control.