# Phenotypic and Genomic Characterization of Polyethylene-Degrading Bacillus cereus PE-1 Enriched from Landfill Microbial Consortium

## TL;DR

A new strain of Bacillus cereus was found to degrade polyethylene, showing potential for bioremediation of plastic pollution.

## Contribution

Identification of a novel polyethylene-degrading Bacillus cereus strain with genomic insights into its degradation mechanisms.

## Key findings

- Bacillus cereus PE-1 caused up to 4.57% weight loss in polyethylene over 30 days.
- Genomic analysis revealed genes linked to biofilm formation, oxidation, and hydrolysis relevant to PE degradation.
- Polyethylene surface changes indicated erosion, lower degradation temperature, and increased hydrophilicity.

## Abstract

Polyethylene (PE) is one of the most persistent pollutants in the environment. Here, we enriched a microbial consortium (PEH) and isolated a bacterial strain, Bacillus cereus PE-1, capable of degrading PE from landfill soil using PE as the sole carbon source. Scanning electron microscopy revealed significant surface erosion, while weight loss reached up to 4.57% after 30 days. TGA showed a 5.88% decrease in onset degradation temperature, and contact angle measurements indicated increased hydrophilicity. Elemental analysis confirmed oxygen incorporation into the polymer matrix. Genome sequencing revealed genes associated with biofilm formation (epsA, epsB, pgaC), oxidation (laccase, copper oxidase), hydrolysis (esterase, lipase, PHB depolymerase), and β-oxidation pathways. While these genomic findings indicate a predicted capacity for assimilation, no transcriptomic or proteomic validation was performed in this study. These findings suggest that PE-1 can colonize PE, initiate oxidative cleavage, and potentially assimilate breakdown products. This study provides new insights into the microbial degradation of polyolefins and identifies a promising bacterial candidate for plastic bioremediation.