Comparison of Poly Ethylene (PE) Degrading Bacteria of Plastic Biofilm in the North Coast of Semarang Based on in Vitro Tests and Metabarcoding

Abstract

Marine bacteria play an important role in maintaining marine ecosystems, including plastic biodegradation by producing bioactive compounds. This study examines the potential of polyethylene (PE) plastic-degrading bacteria found in plastic waste biofilms on the north coast of Semarang. The focus of this study was to identify bacteria that can utilize polyethylene glycol as a carbon source and to determine the diversity of PE plastic-degrading bacteria in various regions to provide insight into how the diversity of culturable plastic-degrading bacterial colonies from the north coast of Java Island compared with metabarcoding analysis. Bushnell Haas Agar selective media enriched with 2% polyethylene glycol as the main carbon source was used to isolate bacteria. Metabarcoding analysis was carried out by DNA extraction, library preparation, and next-generation sequencing using Illumina novaseq6000. DNA extracts were amplified in the V3-V4 hypervariable region. In vitro assays produced four morphologically distinct bacterial colonies from Semarang City. The results of the study obtained four isolates in vitro. Colony morphology observations showed two Gam-negative bacterial colonies and two Gram-positive bacterial colonies. Metabarcoding analysis successfully identified one hundred and four genera of plastic-degrading bacteria on the north coast of Semarang consists of Pseudomonas 18%, Aquabacterium 15%, Hydrogenophaga 9%, and Rheinheimera 8%. A comparison of PE-degrading bacteria from the north coast of Semarang based on in vitro testing and metabarcoding demonstrated a complementary alignment in identifying bacteria with potential for PE plastic degradation.