Biodegradasi Plastik Low Density Polyethylene Menghunakan Jamur dari Tenpat Pembuangan Akhir (TPA)

BIODEGRADASI PLASTIK (LOW DENSITY POLYETHYLENE )
MENGGUNAKAN JAMUR DARI TEMPAT PEMBUANGAN AKHIR (TPA)

ABSTRAK

Penggunaan plastik berjenis low density polyethylene (LDPE) terus meningkat
setiap tahun. Plastik sangat sulit terdegradasi secara alami sehingga menyebabkan
pencemaran lingkungan dan terancamnya ekosistem. Upaya untuk mendapatkan
isolat jamur potensial dalam mendegradasi plastik telah dilakukan. Jamur diisolasi
dari TPA Namo Bintang, Medan Tuntungan dan diperoleh dua isolat jamur, yaitu
RH03 dan RH06 berdasarkan respon pertumbuhannya pada Mineral Salt Medium
Brooth (MSMB) yang mengandung serbuk LDPE. Berdasarkan karakteristik
morfologi, kedua isolat jamur diduga sebagai Aspergillus sp. Uji kemampuan
mendegradasi lembaran LDPE selama 45 hari menunjukkan isolat RH03 dan RH06
mampu menurunkan bobot LDPE masing-masing sebesar 5,13% dan 6,63% dan
daya tarik (tensile strength) menurun hingga 58% dan 40%. Fotomikrograf SEM
setelah perlakuan menunjukkan perubahan pada permukaan lembaran LDPE yang
menjadi kasar, terbentuknya lekukan-lekukan, dan adanya spora jamur pada
permukaan LDPE.

Kata kunci:

biodegradasi, low density polyethylene (LDPE), jamur, Tempat
Pembuangan Akhir (TPA)

iv
Universitas Sumatera Utara

BIODEGRADATION OF PLASTIC (LOW DENSITY POLYETHYLENE)
BY FUNGUS FROM MUNICIPAL DUMP SITE

ABSTRACT

The use of plastic low density polyethylene (LDPE) has been increasing every year.
Plastic is naturally recalcitrant causing environmental pollution and endangers the
ecosystems. An effort to get fungal isolate which are potential to degrade plastic
has been conducted. Fungi were isolated from Namo Bintang dump site at Medan
Tuntungan. It was obtained two fungal isolates RH03 and RH06 based on their
ability to grow on Mineral Salt Medium Brooth (MSMB) containing of LDPE
powder. Based on morphological characteristic, two fungal isolate were assumed
as Aspergillus sp. The ability test to degrade LDPE sheets for 45 days showed RH03

and RH06 were able to reduce the weight of LDPE by 5,13% and 6,63% and tensile
strength reduced up to 58% and 40%. SEM photomicrograph of LDPE showed
surface changes into rough, groove, and some fungal spore were noticed.

Keywords:

biodegradation, low density polyethylene (LDPE), fungi, municipal
dump site

v
Universitas Sumatera Utara