A polymer formed from long chains of ethylene molecules (C2H4)n is widely used as a plastic material whose persistence in the environment makes it a major source of pollution in Antananarivo. This problem is aggravated by plasticizing additives capable of binding heavy metals, thereby creating serious health risks.
Objective: This study evaluates the ability of specific bacterial strains to degrade LDPE in order to propose a natural bioremediation solution that reduces plastic pollution and improves its potential for energy recovery.
Methodology: Bacteria were isolated from polluted environments and tested over 30 days. Degradation efficiency was assessed by measuring plastic dry mass loss and analyzing chemical structure changes using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR).
Results: Isolate AND02 showed the highest performance, achieving a 7.42% reduction in dry mass within one month (compared to 0.85% for AND01 and 0.41% for AND03). FT-IR analyses confirmed deep structural degradation, with decreased intensity of key bonds (–OH, C–H, C=C, C–O), demonstrating real breakdown of plastic molecules.
Conclusion: These results highlight the strong potential of bacteria as bioremediation agents. Applied at the Andralanitra site, this approach could treat approximately 15% of plastic waste and prepare it for optimized conversion into biofuel, supporting a circular economy strategy for Madagascar.