This review includes various bacterial and fungal enzymes associated with major stages of microbial plastic degradation, including biodeterioration, biofragmentation, bioassimilation, and mineralization and highlights recent advancements in metagenomics, enzyme engineering, synthetic biology, and multi‐omics approaches that helps in improving the efficiency and large‐scale industrial feasibility of microbial plastic degradation.
Abstract
Plastic pollution has become the major global environmental problem due to the extensive accumulation and recalcitrance of synthetic polymers in terrestrial and aquatic environments. Traditional methods of plastic waste degradation, such as landfilling, incineration, and mechanical recycling, have various environmental limitations, like the production of more harmful toxic components, secondary pollutants, and inefficient waste handling. Therefore, current research is focused on more promising and environmentally sustainable alternatives for plastic waste management by microbial biodegradation. This review includes various bacterial and fungal enzymes such as PETase, MHETase, cutinase, laccase, and polyesterase associated with major stages of microbial plastic degradation, including biodeterioration, biofragmentation, bioassimilation, and mineralization. The degradation mechanism of synthetic polymers like polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyurethane (PU), polystyrene (PS), and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) are discussed along with the importance of analytical validation techniques such as FTIR, SEM, GC–MS, respirometry assays, and stable isotope probing for accurately confirming biodegradation. Additionally, the existing limitations of poor degrading efficiency, polymer recalcitrance, mixed plastic waste complexity, scaling challenges, and the gap between laboratory results and environmental application are comprehensively analyzed. Overall, the review provides a comprehensive overview of microbial and enzymatic plastic biodegradation and highlights recent advancements in metagenomics, enzyme engineering, synthetic biology, and multi‐omics approaches that helps in improving the efficiency and large‐scale industrial feasibility of microbial plastic degradation.
The production and utilization of petroleum‐based plastics cause severe environmental degradation and climate alteration. These conventional plastics release greenhouse gases and hazardous chemicals during production, and their resistance to degradation—persisting undamaged for over 60 years—fuels critical marine pollution. To mitigate these issues, research is shifting toward biobased plastics as sustainable, biocompatible, and biodegradable alternatives. Derived from renewable biomass or microbes, these materials include starches, cellulose, casein, and diverse polysaccharides sourced from red (
Rhodophyta
), green (
Chlorophyta
), and brown (
Phaeophyta
) algae. Aligning with the principles of a circular bioeconomy, this approach maximizes resource efficiency and minimizes waste. Furthermore, innovative materials like Bio‐PET, polybutylene succinate (PBS), polylactic acid (PLA), and polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are increasingly deployed to replace traditional plastics. Beyond offering excellent preservation against oxidation and microbial decomposition in food packaging, these bioplastics show immense promise in medicine, nutraceuticals, and pharmaceuticals. This review article evaluates the diverse natural sources of bioplastics, analyzes their mechanical, thermal, and physical properties, and highlights their most promising future applications.
This review aims to synthesize knowledge on plastics and microbial plastic degradation, with particular focus on emerging and re-emerging challenges that hinder its large-scale application.
Agbiji, N.N., Eknog M.O, Akubuenyi F et al.· Biological and Environmental...· 0 citations
The increasing accumulation of petroleum-based plastic waste and wastewater has intensified the need for sustainable waste management and biodegradable alternatives. Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (P3HB), a microbial biopolymer, has emerged as a promising substitute for conventional plastics. This article reviews the potential of wastewater as a renewable substrate for P3HB production, with emphasis on microbial pathways, production strategies, and sustainability aspects. It discusses different wastewater sources, P3HB-producing microorganisms, metabolic engineering approaches, production processes, and polymer recovery techniques, highlighting the factors that influence productivity and product quality. The integration of P3HB production into biorefinery systems and its contribution to resource recovery, greenhouse gas mitigation, and the circular bioeconomy are also addressed. Overall, wastewater-based P3HB production represents a sustainable and economically attractive approach for biodegradable polymer production, although further technological advances are required to support large-scale industrial implementation.
Gul Ahmad Fazli, Fariba Fazli, Omid Fazli· International Journal of Cur...· 0 citations
Plastic pollution has become a global environmental crisis, threatening ecosystems, biodiversity, and human health. The extensive use of petroleum-based plastics, particularly single-use plastics, has resulted in the accumulation of persistent plastic waste in terrestrial and aquatic environments, contributing significantly to microplastic pollution and ecological degradation. Bioplastics have gained considerable attention as sustainable alternatives because they are derived wholly or partially from renewable resources and may exhibit biodegradable properties depending on their composition. Feedstocks such as corn starch, sugarcane, cellulose, algae, and microbial biomass offer environmentally friendly alternatives to fossil-based raw materials while supporting the transition toward a circular bioeconomy. This review provides a comprehensive overview of bioplastics, including their classification, raw materials, production techniques, industrial applications, environmental and economic benefits, current limitations, and recent technological advancements, highlighting their role in reducing plastic pollution and advancing sustainable materials science. With growing global interest in eco-friendly alternatives, bioplastics are expected to play a crucial role in reducing plastic waste, promoting green manufacturing, and shaping sustainable consumer behaviour. Continued research, technological innovation, supportive government policies, and improvements in waste management infrastructure will be essential to enhance the performance, affordability, and large-scale adoption of bioplastics in the future.
Sneha A. Agrawal, Shifa Swaleha, Veenu Joshi et al.· NewBioWorld· 0 citations