Studies on degradation of synthetic polymer Nylon 6 by fungus Trametes versicolor NCIM 1086

Nylon is one of the synthetic polymers which have large applications in environment. It is found to be a hard plastic for degradation. Present study has examined the feasibility of a fungus, Trametes versicolor NCIM 1086 for actively degrading synthetic polymer Nylon 6. The analysis was carried out using I. R. spectroscopy and mechanical techniques. Nylon sheets were inserted in fermentation broth which was incubated on a rotary shaker at 30°C and 90 rpm for 90 days. Nylon 6 was the sole source of nitrogen in the medium. A colony of fungus was developed that resulted in substantial degradation of Nylon 6. Weakening and breaking of polyamide bond have been confirmed by weakening in I. R. band. The degradation led to formation of new functional groups CH₃, CHO and COOH.