Sahebnazar - Biotechnology Group, Chemical Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, Tarbiat Modarres University, Tehran, Iran
Mohammadtaheri - Biotechnology Group, Chemical Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, Tarbiat Modarres University, Tehran, Iran
Shjaosadati - Biotechnology Group, Chemical Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, Tarbiat Modarres University, Tehran, Iran
Nosrati - Biotechnology Group, Chemical Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, Tarbiat Modarres University, Tehran, Iran

The biodegradability of pretreated films of low density polyethylene (LDPE) by the isolated fungi Aspergillus penecilliodous, Asperjillus terreus and Fusarium solani was investigated under liquid media. Also their growth was investigated on compost media. Photooxidation was used as a pretreatment for biodegradation of low density polyethylene. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), gel permeation chromatography (GPC), FT-IR spectroscopy were used to determine morphological, structural and surface changes on (LDPE). Progress of composting process was investigated by changes of total organic carbon and moisture. The results shows biodegradability of polyethylene by the isolated fungi and fungi growth on compost media.

Low Density Polyethylene(LDPE); composting; biodegradation; fungi species