0
Article ? AI-assigned paper type based on the abstract. Classification may not be perfect — flag errors using the feedback button. Tier 2 ? Original research — experimental, observational, or case-control study. Direct primary evidence. Environmental Sources Marine & Wildlife Sign in to save

Molecular Advances in Microbial Metabolism

International Journal of Molecular Sciences 2023 Score: 30 ? 0–100 AI score estimating relevance to the microplastics field. Papers below 30 are filtered from public browse.
Rosa María Martínez‐Espinosa, Carmen Pire

Summary

This editorial introduces a special journal issue on molecular advances in microbial metabolism, covering research on plastic degradation, heavy metal remediation, and responses to climate change. Microbial metabolism research is key to developing biological solutions for plastic pollution, including breaking down the microplastics accumulating in ocean sediments.

Climate change, global pollution due to plastics, greenhouse gasses, or heavy metals among other pollutants, as well as limited natural sources due to unsustainable lifestyles and consumption patterns, are revealing the need for more research to understand ecosystems, biodiversity, and global concerns from the microscale to the macroscale [...].

Sign in to start a discussion.

More Papers Like This

Commentary Tier 3

Editorial: Microbial Ecotoxicology Advances to Improve Environmental and Human Health Under Global Change

This editorial introduces a special journal issue on microbial ecotoxicology, highlighting how microorganisms are affected by environmental contaminants including microplastics, pharmaceuticals, and other emerging pollutants. Understanding microbial responses to pollution is critical for assessing broader ecosystem and human health risks.

Article Tier 2

Microbial degradation of contaminants of emerging concern: metabolic, genetic and omics insights for enhanced bioremediation

This review covers how microorganisms have evolved the ability to break down emerging pollutants including plasticizers, pharmaceuticals, and pesticides, turning them into less harmful substances. Understanding the genes, enzymes, and metabolic pathways these microbes use could lead to cost-effective, eco-friendly cleanup methods for removing persistent contaminants -- including plastic-derived chemicals -- from the environment before they reach people.

Article Tier 2

[Preface to the special issue: biotechnology of plastic waste degradation and valorization].

This preface introduces a special issue on biotechnology approaches to plastic waste degradation and valorization, covering microbial and enzymatic strategies for breaking down synthetic plastics. Biological plastic degradation could help reduce the environmental persistence of plastics that eventually fragment into microplastics.

Article Tier 2

Microplastic Accumulation and Degradation in Environment via Biotechnological Approaches

This review examines how biotechnological approaches, including genetic engineering, genome editing, and synthetic biology, can enhance microbial degradation of plastics. Researchers found that while microplastics and nanoplastics are now found throughout the environment and even in food and the human body, improved methods for plastic biodegradation could help reduce their production. The study highlights the potential of engineered microorganisms as a strategy for addressing plastic waste accumulation.

Article Tier 2

Microbial strategies for effective microplastics biodegradation: Insights and innovations in environmental remediation

This review explores how bacteria and their enzymes can break down microplastics through oxidative degradation, offering a biological approach to cleaning up plastic pollution. The paper highlights innovative pretreatment methods that make plastics more accessible to microbial breakdown and positions microbial strategies as a promising frontline solution for removing microplastics from ecosystems before they can enter the food chain and affect human health.

Share this paper