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Biodegradation Method of Soil Microplastics Based on Enzymatic Engineering
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This review outlines enzyme engineering strategies — including directed evolution and computational protein design — for developing plastic-degrading enzymes capable of breaking down microplastics in contaminated soil. Enzyme-based bioremediation is highlighted as a cost-effective and environmentally friendly approach compared to physical excavation or chemical treatment, though real-world deployment remains in early stages.
Microplastics, which refer to small plastic particles with a diameter less than 5 millimeters, have gained global attention due to their accumulation in soil and waterways, potentially harming the health of wildlife and ecosystems. Enzyme engineering-based remediation techniques offer a promising, cost-effective and environmentally-friendly approach for cleaning microplastics from soil. This article provides an overview of enzyme engineering-based bioremediation strategies for addressing soil microplastic pollution, highlighting the factors that may impact their efficacy, in the pursuit of identifying the optimal approach for remedying this issue.
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This review examined biological and photocatalytic approaches for breaking down microplastics in soil, an area that has received far less attention than water-based solutions. The study highlights promising enzymes and light-activated catalysts that could degrade soil microplastics, and calls for more research using computational modeling to design better cleanup strategies for contaminated land.
Microbial Strain Engineering for Microplastics Removal in Soils
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This book chapter reviews how microbial strains can be engineered or selected for enhanced plastic-degrading capability, examining the enzymes involved in polymer breakdown and the prospects for deploying engineered microbes in soil remediation applications.
Potential strategies for bioremediation of microplastic contaminated soil
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Researchers reviewed emerging bioremediation strategies for removing microplastics from contaminated soil, highlighting the roles of plants, root-zone microbes, soil animals like earthworms, and specialized bacteria and fungi that can use enzymes to break down plastic polymers into harmless compounds. While genetic engineering of microbes shows promise for accelerating degradation, the review notes that real-world application at scale still requires significant research and development.
Towards a Novel Bioremediation System for Microplastic Contaminated Soils
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This study reviewed existing bioremediation systems for removing PET microplastics from contaminated soils, evaluating the potential of microbial and enzymatic approaches. Researchers found that while several bacteria and enzymes can degrade PET, scaling these approaches to real-world soil remediation remains a major challenge.
A minireview on the bioremediative potential of microbial enzymes as solution to emerging microplastic pollution
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This mini review explores the potential of microbial enzymes as a sustainable solution for degrading microplastics, discussing recent advances in identifying plastic-degrading enzymes and the challenges remaining for practical bioremediation applications.
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When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.