The substrates thus collectedwere dried in an oven at 90 °C for 24 h.
Oven dried PS was chopped into 5–7 cm length pieces. The chopped
material was filled in gunny bags and soaked in fresh tap water for
12 h. Excess water was then allowed to drain off and substrates were
pasteurized by dipping in hot water at 75 °C for 30 min