Role of Microbes in Microplastic Removal and Its Effect on Human Health

Non-degradability of synthetic plastics is posing enormous environmental hazards including threat to aquatic as well as terrestrial ecosystem. The increased production and accumulation of plastic debris has become a major concern worldwide. Considering the greater potential of microplastics to act as vectors for toxic substances or pathogens, there is a need for better plastic waste management strategies other than landfilling, incineration and recycling. Among the numerous plastic debris disposal methods, biodegradation seems to be the most eco-friendly and least harmful strategy to deal with plastic waste nuisance. A large number of researches have been done so far on plastic biodegradation employing various bacteria and fungi. The present chapter provides an overview of the bioremediation of microplastics and the documented mechanism of biodegradation of plastics employing various microorganisms along with different enzymes involved in the process of degradation. Each standard as well as advanced analytical techniques for biodegradation assessment have also been discussed in this chapter. Lastly, the latest findings related to biodegradation studies on four major synthetic plastics namely polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene and polypropylene are also reviewed thoroughly in this chapter.