Biodegradation of starch blended polyvinyl chloride film by newly isolated Phanerochatea Chyrososporium PV1

The accumulation of plastics in the environment raising great concern leading to long-term environment, economic and waste management problems. The aim of the present investigation was to check the degradability of polyvinyl chloride film modified with starch by fungi. A clear surface changes, discoloration and breakdown of the some part of the film were observed in soil burial experiment. The fungi having efficient adherence and degradation was identified as Phanerochatea chyrososporium PV1 by rRNA identification. The fungal growth and surface changes were determined on the polymer surface by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Decrease in the molecular weight of starch blended PVC films (77,011) than control (80,275) also confirms the biodegradation of the polymer by Gel permeation chromatography (GPC). Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis revealed the removal of starch accompanied by structural changes in polyvinyl chloride in terms of reduction in the peak area and shortening of chain branches. The results of the study proved that starch modified PVC showed enhanced degradation results and newly isolated fungal strain Phanerochatea chyrososporium PV1 is capable of adhering and degrading starch modified PVC films.