Assessment of Microplastic Degrading Potential of Fungal Isolates from an Estuary in Rivers State, Nigeria

The potential of fungi as bio degraders micro plastic particles was assessed using standard microbiological and Fourier transformed Infra-Red (FTIR) spectroscopic analysis methods. highest mean Total Heterotrophic fungal (THF) count 4.24x104 cfu/ml obtained with the least THF (2.72x104 cfu/ml) recorded during dry season. Mean hydrocarbon Utilizing Fungal (HUF) (1.78x104 wet period while HUF (1.46x104 period. Spectra FTIR showed that water contained microplastic in these proportions; polyethylene low density (LDPE) 0.01%, 0.11% protein, 0.15% polystyrene, 0.37% polyamide, 1.14% cellulose, 1.21% polyurethane, 1.90% polyvinyl chloride, 3.11% polyester 92% polypropylene, respectively. Species identified were Aspergillus niger, Penicillium spp., Rhizopus Mucor nidulans, Fusarium Microsporum canis, fumigatus. Among isolates, A. niger fumigatus most active degrading (polypropylene) % weight loss 71.09% 53.09%, respectively spp. a 28.64% study order degradation > nidulans canis to degrade by can be harnessed. foremost potentials are follows: (71.1%) (53.1%). has shown isolates from Ohiakwu River Nigeria possess ability particles. Therefore, this research is tremendous importance for industrial development additionally future purposes.