| PJS Vol 130 No.2 December 2001 | |
| Page 89-95 | |
| ISSN 0031-7683 |
Colonization of Plastic by Xylaria sp*.
Ma. Theresa P. Clutario* and Virgina C. Cuevas**
Institute of Biological Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences
University of the Philippines Los Baños, College, Laguna
*Based on the senior author’s undergraduate special research problem
done under the supervision of the co-author.
**Corresponding author: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Studies were conducted to show physical evidences of colonization of polyethylene plastic strips by Xylaria sp. using scanning electron microscopy. Optimum environmental conditions for growth of the fungus such as temperature and hydrogen ion concentration were determined by growing the organism on different mineral media with different substrates like tannic acid, gallic acid, filter paper and cellulose as carbon sources. The fungus grew best at 25°C and at pH 5. When grown at these optimum conditions, growth was vigorous on mineral medium with 0.5% glucose and plastic strips as co-carbon source. The fungus produced mucilaginous sheath that facilitated adhesion of mycelial growth on the surface and edges of the plastic strips. The strips became embedded in the mycelial mat after 50 days of incubation. Scanning electron microscopy showed visible damages of the surface structure of the plastic strips. There were tearing and striations caused by active burrowing of Xylariahyphae on the polyethylene material.
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