• Aqsa Khan
• Anupama Tomar

Microorganisms can degrade a wide range of substrates and can use it as one of the nutrient sources. Acrylic paints could be one of the examples. Due it its similarity in chemical structure with the wall paints, it can be used to paint walls. Wall paints are a source of Organic compounds including Volatile organic compounds (VOCs), resins, etc. Thus, in this study, it can be expected that the isolation of degrading acrylic could have potential to degrade wall paints. Four degrading microflora was isolated from acrylic paints and studied along-side the standard culture known to degrade paint namely, Bacillus and Aspergillus spp. and its consortium. The endospores and spores of the Bacillus spp and fungus respectively are ubiquitous in environment. Thus, degradation can be expected in unmaintained or closed environment. The degradation is assessed by plate assay and broth assay using Mineral medium with paint flakes as the only Carbon source. Presence of growth is an indication of the potential of the microflora in degrading the wall paint. The availability of carbon source increases the biomass, which is expected to keep on increasing following the incubation. The degradation can also be attributed to the production of acids, which results in lowering of the pH. When degraded, leads to changes in the chemical structure, these changes can be detected used Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). Also, calcium carbonate is the base upon which the paints are painted. Thus, calcite dissolution can be expected by the followed by the degradation of paint. These, all together can lead to wall degradation and ultimately weaken them.

Acrylic paint, Paint degraders, VOCs, Bacillus, Aspergillus, FTIR

"Study on Acrylic Paint Degrading Activity and its Effect in Environment", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.9, Issue 7, page no.a316-a331, July-2022, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2207040.pdf

"Study on Acrylic Paint Degrading Activity and its Effect in Environment", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.9, Issue 7, page no. ppa316-a331, July-2022, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2207040.pdf