Microorganism-Mediated Microplastic Degradation Methods and Mechanism

Because of the serious harm that microplastics (MPs) pose to biota, this issue has gained international attention. On the other hand, there were just a few research on the removal of MPs contamination. Because MPs were smaller than plastic products, the traditional treatment methods were not appropriate for them. The therapy of MPs has been studied using a variety of techniques. This chapter includes the most current updates about techniques used in the degradation of MPs, including advanced oxidative processes such as electrochemical oxidation, direct photodegradation, and oxidation through photocatalytic biodegradation mechanisms. The degradation of MPs has been observed under in vitro conditions and also it has been partly converted into valuable products or CO2 and H2O as by-products. It has been discovered that while almost all of them successfully degraded MPs, most of them showed that under laboratory circumstances, MPs can only be partially converted into valuable chemicals or even CO2 and H2O. Based on the information gaps in the identified literature, some suggestions for future study topics were made. The focus of research on the breakdown of MPs is on both biological and non-biological methods. Scientists have thus far focused on microorganisms including bacteria, fungi, and algae as a means of treating MP via biofilm formation. The enzymatic processes generated by the microorganisms are intimately related to the decomposition of MPs. Here, the microbial perspective on enzyme-mediated breakdown of MPs is discussed. This chapter's objectives are to provide a thorough introduction to various MPs degradation techniques and to familiarise readers with the state of MPs degradation research today.