Author response for "Enzymes involved in manipulation of polyethylene degradation:oxidative attack by invertebrates, microorganisms and algae on microplastics"

Author response for "Microplastics: Sources, Environmental Fate, Degradation Pathways, and Analytical Identification Methods – A Review"

Microbial degradation of microplastics by enzymatic processes: a review

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Microorganisms including bacteria, fungi, and algae produce enzymes capable of degrading microplastics, offering a biologically safe remediation pathway that avoids secondary toxic byproducts. Advancing our understanding of specific enzymes and their degradation mechanisms could unlock scalable solutions for eliminating persistent microplastic contamination from marine and terrestrial environments.

Microplastics Degradation Mechanism by Aquatic Plastiomes: A Review

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Researchers reviewed how aquatic microorganisms can break down plastic debris into microplastics and potentially degrade plastic polymers further, exploring whether natural 'plastisphere' communities might be harnessed as a biological tool to reduce ocean plastic pollution.

Current Progress and Potential Microbial Cornucopia for Plastic Degradation

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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.

Microbial Degradation of Marine Plastics: Current State and Future Prospects

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Microbial degradation offers a promising biological pathway for breaking down the millions of tons of plastic entering the ocean each year, though current microbial capabilities remain limited compared to the scale of the problem. Understanding which microorganisms can metabolize specific polymers is critical for developing bioremediation strategies that could reduce the long-term accumulation of microplastics in marine ecosystems.