Abstract :
Introduction and Objective: Myriad of health care institutes and hospitals are producing a huge quantity
of biomedical waste. The existing methods of biomedical waste treatment and management are quite
expensive requiring remarkable power consumption and high temperature. Moreover, they liberate many
deleterious toxic byproducts, endangering the health of residents in the vicinity. This present study utilizes
the help of the mystical, saprophytic, Coprophilic fungus Periconiella sp. for degradation of biomedical
waste including plastic waste.
Materials and Methods: The coprophilous fungus Periconiella sp. was cultivated in culture plates
by using Indian Deshi cows dung incubated at room temperature. On appearance of the growth, the
Periconiella fungus was subcultured on Sabouraud Dextrose Agar (SDA) containing Chloramphenicol
and Cycloheximide to prevent bacterial contamination. Before sub-culturing, the fungus Periconiella was
confirmed morphologically based on 10% potassium hydroxide (KOH), Lacto phenol cotton blue (LCB)
preparation and slide culture. The utility of fungus Periconiella sp. was tested for degradation of biomedical
waste containing soiled cotton, gauze pieces, dressing material, surgically removed tissue pieces and plastic
waste.
Observation and Result: The cultivated fungus Periconiella sp. Was found to be coprophilic and
saprophytic. The cultivated fungus from each culture plate could completely degrade 25g of biomedical
waste comprised of soiled cotton, gauze pieces, dressing material, surgically removed tissue pieces and
plastic waste in a span of 18 to 40 days.
Interpretation and Conclusion: A mystical, novel, saprophytic Coprophilic fungus Periconiella sp. from
Indian Deshi cow’s dung is observed to be a better degrader of biomedical waste mass containing soiled
cotton, gauze pieces, dressing material, surgically removed pieces and plastic waste within a period of 40
days. Moreover it is economical, less demanding and eco-friendly method for biomedical waste disposal
including plastic waste.
Keyword :
Cow dung, Biomedical waste, Saprophyte, Coprophilic, Periconiella, Biodegradation.