Synergistic Chem-Biological Strategy for Enhanced Degradation of Low-Density Polyethylene

Innovative Approaches to Enhance Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE) Biodegradation using Pleurotus ostreatus

Plastic Degradation and Utilization by Microbes: Challenges and Scope

AI summary · Read the abstract

Plastic overaccumulation in ecosystems has driven interest in microbial degradation as a natural remediation tool, though the slow rate of natural depolymerization and the specificity of plastic-degrading enzymes remain major challenges. Expanding our understanding of microbial plastic utilization pathways could unlock biological strategies for reducing the microplastic precursors that fragment from larger plastic waste.

Current Progress and Potential Microbial Cornucopia for Plastic Degradation

AI summary · Read the abstract

This review surveys current progress in identifying and leveraging microbial diversity — including bacteria, fungi, and algae — capable of degrading various plastic polymers across environmental matrices. Microbial plastic degradation represents one of the most promising biological pathways for reducing accumulated microplastic loads in soils and waterways, with potential to lower the chronic environmental and dietary exposure burden on both wildlife and humans.

The implementation of microbes in plastic biodegradation

AI summary · Read the abstract

Researchers reviewed the role of microorganisms in breaking down plastics, finding that certain bacteria and fungi can degrade specific plastic polymers — a promising but still limited natural mechanism that could inform future biotechnology solutions to the plastic pollution crisis.

Biodegradation efficacy of soil inherent novel sp. Bacillus tropicus (MK318648) onto low density polyethylene matrix

AI summary · Read the abstract

Researchers identified a soil bacterium, Bacillus tropicus, capable of degrading low-density polyethylene (LDPE) plastic films, breaking down about 10% of the material's weight over 40 days. While degradation was partial and slow, findings like these point toward potential biological strategies for reducing plastic waste that would otherwise fragment into environmental microplastics.