Research Projects

White pollution, caused by massive plastic litter, has a detrimental effect on aquatic habitats and marine life, including fish and coral reefs. Microplastics have also been found in food and air samples, raising concerns about their potential health consequences. Researchers are exploring ways to aid in plastic degradation and alternatives to traditional plastics. Recent research has shown that microalgae support the biodegradation of polymers, reducing the energy required for breakdown. This suggests that microalgae that can grow on waste materials with significant lipid accumulation may be a better source of biomass for manufacturing bioplastics. This project aims to meet environmental sustainability and bioresources-based economy by isolating effective and diverse microalgae from different freshwater plastic waste. Optimization of algal growth and biomass production will ensure a target microalgal isolate can acclimate to lab-scale biodegradation processes with high biomass productivity. The key component of the project includes examination of biodegradation, quantification of enzymes and pigments, and characterization using FTIR and SEM analysis. The project expands on the background study of plastics and their associated microalgae for effective biodegradation. It is interesting to try using microalgae to break down polymers into metabolites like carbon dioxide, water, and new biomass. More research is needed in this field, as it is still under development.