PLASTICS A BLESSING OR CURSE TO MANKIND

In association with IQAC, the PG Department of Microbiology was conducted a webinar on the topic ‘Plastics: a blessing or curse to mankind’ on 8th September 2021 at 2pm-3pm.The Speaker of the webinar was Nithya Jayan, Assistant Professor, SN College Alathur. The webinar was very interesting and informative for both students and faculties. Radhika R Krishna, Head of the department of microbiology performed the welcome speech. In the introductory section the speaker explained about types and structure of plastic and its uses and drawbacks. She led a very interesting class on bioplastics too. The microbial remediation system and biodegradation methods of plastic were also well explained. Each and every topic were further more interesting as it approached the biodegradation methods of plastic. A qualitative analysis of enzymes involved in the biodegradation and a detailed class on its mechanisms were the highlights of the webinar. A vision on the hazardous effects of plastic to the environment was emphasised and it generated the serious concerns regarding this major problem in every participants mind. The waste management is the biggest threat to our sustainability. She explained about recycling, reuse and reduce principles of plastic. In this era, we have to focus on biodegradable plastics and the trending one is bio-plastic “a new gen plastic”. Bioplastics are plastic derived from renewable biomass sources, such as vegetable fats and oils, corn starch, or micro biota, and other bio wastes. Here we are focusing on synthesis of bio-plastic from bio- wastes such as sugarcane baggase and mixture fruit pulp which includes jackfruit, banana peel, mango, nutmeg, duranian seeds. The use of bioplastics offers significant advantages not only in an ecological sense but also in an economical sense. Types of Bioplastics are Starch-based plastics ,Cellulose-based plastics, Polylactic acid (PLA) ( a transparent plastic produced from cane sugar or glucose), Poly-3-hydroxybutyrate (PHB) ( a polyester produced by certain bacteria processing glucose, corn starch or wastewater and Bio-derived polyethylene. After a brief interactive session, the programme was ended with the vote of thanks delivered by Shahana.P, a student of S3 B.Sc Microbiology. A total of 60 students attended the webinar.