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The Biodegradation of Plastic by Microorganisms
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This review examines how the chemical composition of plastics influences their susceptibility to biodegradation by microorganisms, discussing the diverse biophysical-chemical properties of synthetic polymers that affect microbial degradation rates across different environmental contexts.
The degradation of plastics by microorganisms is influenced by their chemical composition. Plastics possess a wide range of biophysical-chemical properties that make them appealing for various applications across different industries and essential in numerous high-tech sectors. Plastic, a manmade material composed of macromolecules produced through polymerization or polycondensation, offers advantages such as low density and versatility in interacting with chemical substances and microorganisms. However, it also comes with drawbacks like poor fire resistance, tendency to break down into microplastics, leading to their spread in the environment, and an extended lifespan lasting for centuries. This durability is due to the high resistance of plastics to biological breakdown. Research efforts have concentrated on identifying microbial strains, whether individually or in consortia, that are capable and efficient under optimal conditions for effectively converting and degrading plastic, alongside the introduction of new biodegradable plastics into the market and instituting strict regulations.
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This review summarizes the mechanisms by which common plastic types are broken down by bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms in the environment. Despite their chemical stability, many plastics can be degraded — though slowly — with the pace depending on environmental conditions and plastic type. The paper provides a foundation for developing faster biodegradation strategies to reduce plastic pollution.
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This review examined microbial degradation of plastics, surveying known plastic-degrading bacteria and fungi and the enzymes they produce, while acknowledging that degradation rates in natural environments remain extremely slow and that biotechnology approaches to accelerating biodegradation require further development.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.