Dibrugarh University Study Finds Plastic-Degrading Bacteria in Coal Samples

A Dibrugarh University research team has identified bacteria from coal samples in Darjeeling and Arunachal Pradesh capable of degrading plastic-like materials. The isolates were able to use polyethylene glycol (PEG 6000) as their sole carbon source, showing potential for breaking down plastics.

This is possibly the first Indian study to isolate such bacteria from coal. Researchers are continuing their work to explore applications of these microbes in plastic degradation.