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A Review on Plastics Degredation by Using Microbes
Summary
This review pulls together existing research on using bacteria and their enzymes to break down plastic waste, offering a potentially eco-friendlier alternative to burning or burying trash. Since plastic pollution and the microplastics it creates are linked to health concerns like hormone disruption and inflammation, finding better ways to actually break down plastic (rather than just letting it pile up or splinter into smaller pieces) could reduce human exposure over time. That said, this is a summary of lab-based findings on specific bacteria species, and much more research is needed before these methods can be used to clean up plastic waste on a large scale.
Plastic pollution has emerged as one of the most persistent global environmental challenges due to the widespread use, durability, and accumulation of synthetic polymers. Traditional disposal methods such as landfilling and incineration are inefficient and lead to significant ecological and health concerns. Recent advances in microbial degradation and enzymatic bioremediation have revealed promising ecofriendly strategies for mitigating plastic waste. This review explores the mechanisms, efficiency, and applications of Microbes-mediated degradation of major plastic polymers including polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and polylactic acid (PLA). Key microbial species ; such as Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Streptococcus spp. demonstrate selective degradation abilities enhanced by biofilm formation, extracellular enzymes, and oxidative pathways. Factors influencing degradation, including pH, temperature, microbial density, and polymer crystallinity ,are discussed in detail. The potential of blending polymers with bioplastics, genetic engineering of microorganisms, and optimized culture conditions highlight the emerging potential of microbial bioremediation as a sustainable alternative to conventional waste management. This review provides a comprehensive overview of microbial strategies that could significantly contribute to long-term solutions for plastic waste reduction and environmental restoration.