Department of Zoology,
University of Madras
Chennai, India
Vol.11 ISSUE 1 JAN - MAR 2013 - ISSN-0974-1550
Dear
Readers,
Contents
Nowadays, plastics have become a facet of human life and the reason behind the success is their tremendous range of properties and variety of applications. However, plastic is regarded as a biological hazard as it is non- degradable. Tonnes of plastic wastes are dumped everyday into the earth all over the world. According to latest studies, upto 105 million tonnes of plastic is produced yearly in the world, out of which 2.5% is produced in India. The amount of plastic waste in the ocean is also rapidly increasing. In reality, plastic pollution is a much bigger threat than ozone layer depletion and global warming.
Toxic chemicals such as PCBs, NP, organic pesticides such as DDT, PAHs, PBDEs and BPA have been consistently found throughout oceanic plastic debris. Additionally, many of these compounds may undergo significant biomagnification and can potentially pose a direct risk to human health. Now, researchers are working on developing biodegradable plastics and degrading the plastic using microorganisms for the betterment of the environment. The degradation is due to the extra cellular enzyme secreted by the organisms. These low molecular weight compounds are further utilized by the microbes as carbon and energy sources. The resultant breakdown fragments must be completely used by the microorganisms, otherwise there is the potential threat for environmental and health hazards.
This issue includes research article on the biodegradation of plastic by fungi and some other interesting observations on microbes as novel drugs and boost crop yields etc.
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Prof. N.
Munuswamy
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