Baluran Savanna Mold: A Natural Tool for Plastic Biodegradation

Istiana Putri; Ni’matuzahroh Ni’matuzahroh; Agus Supriyanto; Tri Nurhariyati; Moch. Affandi; Salamun Salamun; Almando Geraldi; Johan Setiawan; Brigita Nur Diyan Agustiana; Dela Dwi Alawiyah; Ana Mariatul Khiftiyah; Putri Rosfiana Dewi; Nurriza Dwi Dellita Sari; Herfiani Nur Silmina

doi:10.1051/bioconf/202519805001

All issues

Volume 198 (2025)

BIO Web Conf., 198 (2025) 05001

Abstract

Open Access

Issue		BIO Web Conf. Volume 198, 2025 5^th ASEAN Microbial Biotechnology Conference (AMBC 2025)


Article Number		05001
Number of page(s)		8
Section		Environmental Microbiology
DOI		https://doi.org/10.1051/bioconf/202519805001
Published online		03 December 2025

BIO Web of Conferences 198, 05001 (2025)

Baluran Savanna Mold: A Natural Tool for Plastic Biodegradation

Istiana Putri¹, Ni’matuzahroh¹^,2^,3^*, Agus Supriyanto¹^,2, Tri Nurhariyati¹^,2, Moch. Affandi¹^,2, Salamun¹^,2, Almando Geraldi¹^,2, Johan Setiawan¹^,2^,4, Brigita Nur Diyan Agustiana¹^,2, Dela Dwi Alawiyah¹^,2, Ana Mariatul Khiftiyah¹^,2, Putri Rosfiana Dewi², Nurriza Dwi Dellita Sari¹^,2 and Herfiani Nur Silmina¹^,2

¹ University Center of Excellence-Research Center for Bio-Molecule Engineering, Universitas Airlangga. Jl. Mulyorejo, Surabaya 60115, East Java, Indonesia.
² Department of Biology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universitas Airlangga. Jl. Mulyorejo, Surabaya 60115, East Java, Indonesia
³ Faculty of Advanced Technology and Multidiscipline, Universitas Airlangga. Jl. Mulyorejo, Surabaya 60115, East Java, Indonesia
⁴ Baluran National Park, Banyuwangi. Jl. Situbondo Km. 35 Wonorejo, Banyuputih, Situbondo 68374, East Java, Indonesia

^* Corresponding author: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Abstract

Plastic waste poses a serious threat to environmental balance if left unmanaged. Savannas are unique ecosystems with extreme and dry conditions that support the growth of adaptive microorganisms, including molds capable of producing enzymes involved in polymer degradation. However, despite this potential, studies on plastic-degrading fungi from Indonesian savannas remain limited. This study examined the ability of three mold isolates obtained from savanna soil in Baluran National Park to degrade polyethylene (PE) during 15- and 30-day incubations. From an initial set of 30 isolates, three were selected for biodegradation assays. Species identification, based on morphological traits, identified them as A. niger, T. harzianum, and T. asperellum. All isolates demonstrated biodegradation potential, indicated by increased biomass, reduced plastic weight, and decreased pH. The degradation activity was likely driven by oxidative and hydrolytic enzyme production. Among the isolates, T. asperellum exhibited the highest degradation efficiency, reaching 14.4% after 15 days and 20.95% after 30 days, while A. niger and T. harzianum showed lower but still measurable activity. These findings highlight the ecological value of Baluran savanna molds and their potential application as environmentally friendly agents for PE biodegradation.

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

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