Fungal-Associated Deterioration of Polythene Bags Collected from the Dumping Sites of District Sialkot: A Preliminary Screening Study

Authors

• Zarish Fatima, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Sialkot, Sialkot 51310, Pakistan
• Brian Gagosh Nayyar, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Sialkot, Sialkot 51310, PakistanFollow
• Ayesha Sarwar, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Sialkot, Sialkot 51310, Pakistan
• Mah-e- Noor Abbas, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Sialkot, Sialkot 51310, Pakistan
• Saira Fiaz, Department of Zoology, University of Sialkot, Sialkot 51310, Pakistan
• Wajiha Seerat, Department of Biology, Allama Iqbal Open University, Islamabad 44000, Pakistan

Abstract

Polythene bags are highly inert plastic materials made from monomers of ethylene. Due to their durability, lightweight, and low-weight characteristics, polythene bags are in high demand among consumers and retailers worldwide. This widespread use of polythene bags has led to the generation of polythene waste in the environment. This study focused on the degradation of polythene bags through fungal strains in the desired region.  In this research, three identified fungal strains, namely Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, and Fusarium oxysporum, were screened using two synthetic media for degradation, such as the culture plate method (CPM) and Liquid media degradation (LMD). A total of 15 polythene bag samples from five dumping sites in Sialkot were collected for biodegradation testing. The samples were pretreated with water, ethanol, and xylene, with xylene being the most effective. The films were sterilized, inoculated with fungi, and degraded for 30 days. Weight loss percentages were also evaluated to determine the polythene films’ degradation rate. The results of this study revealed that A. niger showed the highest degradation percentage (43 %), followed by F. oxysporum (19 %) and A. flavus (8 %), which were also found statistically significant (P < 0.05) for polythene eradication in the Sialkot district. This baseline study will provide aid in future investigations of the most suitable and competent fungi for managing and controlling the polythene waste from the district of Sialkot.

Article History

Received: Mar 11, 2026; Accepted: Jun 23, 2026; Published: June 30, 2026.

Recommended Citation

Fatima, Z., Nayyar, B., Sarwar, A., Noor Abbas, M., Fiaz, S., & Seerat, W. (2026). Fungal-Associated Deterioration of Polythene Bags Collected from the Dumping Sites of District Sialkot: A Preliminary Screening Study, Journal of Bioresource Management, 13 (2).