16S rRNA Gen Analysis of Plastic Destruction Bacteries, South Sumatra, Indonesia

Rivers are the main route for plastic entering the ocean, including the Musi River Estuary. Characteristics of bacteria that are able to degrade plastic waste through polymerase enzymes. The aim of this research is to determine the ability of bacterial isolates to degrade plastic and identify the types of bacteria that degrade plastic waste. This study used plastic bottles, nylon nets, and snack wrappers as objects for degradation measurement. Identification analysis of the 16S rRNA gene using universal PCR primers for bacteria in the form of forward primer 63f (5’-CAG GCC TAA CAC ATG CAA GTC-3’) and reverse primer 1387r (5’-GGG CGG WGT GTA CAA GGC-3’). The type of bacteria with the highest percentage of degradation over 20 days, amounting to 7.75%, was Bacillus amyloliquefaciens. Identification of types of plastic degrading bacteria using 16S rRNA gene analysis showed 11 bacteria with 8 types including Staphylococcus hominis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter sp., Acinetobacter baumannii, Acinetobacter variabilis, Shewanella sp., Micrococcus luteus, and Bacillus amyloliquefaciens. The percentage of plastic degradation by bacteria is relatively small, so it is best to look for times where there is potential for bacterial growth.