A simple and novel method for the production of polyethylene terephthalate containing agar plates for the growth and detection of bacteria able to hydrolyze this plastic

Abstract

Polyethylene terephthalate is used in the manufacture of many products. Microbes able to hydrolyze the plastic are known, and offer promise for practical waste management. Screening for hydrolysis usually involves unwieldy culturing in the presence of film. A rapid screening method based on culturing on agar plates is here described.