###### Abstract  
Plastic pollution is one of the most serious environmental issues, causing severe environmental damage. It is of vital importance to find an efficient and eco-friendly approach to biodegradation plastics. The aim of this study was to isolate and characterize different bacterial isolates from water samples in the Al-Ahsa region of Saudi Arabia. The ability to degrade low-density polyethylene (LDPE) plastic was evaluated using multiple approaches, including changes in the media pH values, weight loss, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The water samples were collected from plastic-contaminated sites in Al-Ahsa, and bacterial isolates were obtained using a mineral nutrient medium (MNM) enriched with LDPE as the only carbon and energy source. Two bacterial isolates (APCK5 and APCZ14) were obtained and they showed potential LDPE degradation, as evidenced by changes in media pH (from 7.0 \(\pm\) 0.03 to 6.17 \(\pm\) 0.05 and 6.22 \(\pm\) 0.03), LDPE weight reduction (8.1 \(\pm\) 0.63% and 18.85 \(\pm\) 0.96%, respectively), and FTIR and GC-MS analyses. Based on 168 rRNA gene similarities, APCZ14 and APCK5 were determined to be most closely related to the genus _Brucellla_. APCZ14 exhibited a 99.48% homology with _Brucellla cytisi_, whereas APCK5 showed a 99.33% similarity level to _Brucellla trtici_. In conclusion, both bacterial strains had high efficiency in plastic biodegradation and could be developed for wide use as an eco-friendly method to remove or reduce plastic pollutants from the environment. b 2023 202  
polymer that is made from ethylene monomers, which are composed of carbon and hydrogen. The most common types of polyethylene are HDPE (High-density polyethylene), LLDPE (Linear low-density polyethylene) and LDPE (Low-density polyethylene) [11]. Polyethylene waste accumulation in the environment causes blockages in fishes, mammals, and birds, endangering a large number of species. LDPE plastic waste is contributing to microplastic pollution, causing huge environmental threats without getting adequately managed at the end level of the value chain and seriously polluting the oceans [4; 12]. Microplastics are accumulating because of the surface weathering and degradation of plastic trash, and their extremely small size allows for rapid ingestion by and interaction with marine life [12; 13; 14]. In addition, open, uncontrolled burning and landfilling are used to dispose of the plastics, leading to the release of toxins into the air and causing a variety of health issues. Furthermore, burning plastic releases hazardous compounds that cause immunological problems and lung illnesses, as well as being classified as potential human carcinogens [15]. Microbes are naturally performing degradation on complex organic matters, converting them into simpler organic substances and gaining nutrients during this process. Plastic waste has energy and carbon sources that help microbes in their survival. Plastics can degrade in aerobic or anaerobic conditions, and they can be used as a major natural cleanup at locations where toxic waste is disposed of [16; 17]. Additionally, biodegradation of polymers is defined as any change in polymer characteristics, such as molecular weight, mechanical strength, and surface features, or, in other words, the breakdown of material into pieces through microbial digestion into a simpler form via biochemical transformation [18]. Microorganisms that can break down these polymers and minimize their potentially hazardous effects attract global interest. It is well documented that diverse microbial groups, such as bacteria, actinomycetes, and fungi, exhibit the ability to degrade plastic [4; 19]. Over 90 species of bacteria, fungi, and actinomycetes have the potential to break down plastic [20]. About 436 species of bacteria have been recorded to break down plastics, including various species within the genera _Oceanimonas, Vibrio, Paeinobacillus, Shewannella, Rheinheimera_, and _Bacillus_[21].