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Assessing microbial plastic degradation requires robust methods
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This study examined whether organisms living in microplastic-contaminated environments develop tolerance to plastic exposure over successive generations. Multi-generational experiments with a freshwater invertebrate showed some evidence of adaptive shifts in ingestion behavior, but fitness costs persisted, indicating that evolutionary adaptation to microplastic pollution is limited.
Plastics are versatile materials that have the potential to propel humanity towards circularity and ultimate societal sustainability. However, the escalating concern surrounding plastic pollution has garnered significant attention, leading to widespread negative perceptions of these materials. Here, we question the role microbes may play in plastic pollution bioremediation by (i) defining polymer biodegradability (i.e., recalcitrant, hydrolysable and biodegradable polymers) and (ii) reviewing best practices for evaluating microbial biodegradation of plastics. We establish recommendations to facilitate the implementation of rigorous methodologies in future studies on plastic biodegradation, aiming to push this field towards the use of isotopic labelling to confirm plastic biodegradation and further determine the molecular mechanisms involved.
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Microbial Biodegradation of Plastics: Methods for Assessing Degradation Mechanisms and Optimization Strategies
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This review summarizes existing research on how microbes break down plastic, covering the methods scientists use to measure this process, the biological steps involved, and ways to improve degradation efficiency. It also outlines challenges such as the lack of standard testing methods and the need for more real-world applications.
Microbial abilities to degrade global environmental plastic polymer waste are overstated
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This critical review examines claims of microbial plastic degradation in the scientific literature, arguing that many announcements of novel plastic-degrading microorganisms overstate the extent and rate of actual polymer breakdown. The authors call for standardized verification methods to distinguish genuine biodegradation from superficial surface weathering in studies of plastic-degrading microbes.
Can polymer-degrading microorganisms solve the bottleneck of plastics' environmental challenges?
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This review asks whether plastic-degrading microorganisms can meaningfully address the global plastic pollution problem. Researchers surveyed known biodegradation pathways and found that while promising microbes and enzymes exist, real-world applications remain limited by slow degradation rates and narrow substrate specificity. They highlight how omics and synthetic biology tools could accelerate development of practical bioremediation solutions.
Biodegradation of macro- and micro-plastics in environment: A review on mechanism, toxicity, and future perspectives.
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This review examined mechanisms, toxicology, and future perspectives for biodegradation of macro- and micro-plastics, cataloguing microbial species capable of polymer degradation, discussing enzymatic pathways, and identifying key limitations including slow degradation rates and the need for pretreatment to accelerate breakdown in environmental settings.
Harnessing Microorganisms for Microplastic Degradation: A Sustainable Approach to Mitigating Environmental Pollution
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This review surveys microorganisms—bacteria, fungi, and other taxa—capable of degrading microplastics, examining the enzymes, metabolic pathways, and environmental conditions involved, and assessing the practical potential of harnessing these organisms for bioremediation of plastic pollution.
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When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.