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Why have we not yet solved the challenge of plastic degradation by biological means?
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This review explores why biological plastic degradation remains unsolved despite decades of research, examining the limitations of microbial and enzymatic approaches and arguing that complementary strategies combining multiple methods will be needed.
The invention of fossil fuel-derived plastics changed and reshaped society for the better; however, their mass production has created an unprecedented accumulation of waste and an environmental crisis. Scientists are searching for better ways to reduce plastic waste than the current methods of mechanical recycling and incineration, which are only partial solutions. Biological means of breaking down plastics have been investigated as alternatives, with studies mostly focusing on using microorganisms to biologically degrade sturdy plastics like polyethylene (PE). Unfortunately, after a few decades of research, biodegradation by microorganisms has not provided the hoped-for results. Recent studies suggest that insects could provide a new avenue for investigation into biotechnological tools, with the discovery of enzymes that can oxidize untreated PE. But how can insects provide a solution that could potentially make a difference? And how can biotechnology revolutionize the plastic industry to stop ongoing/increasing contamination?
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Microbial plastic degradation: enzymes, pathways, challenges, and perspectives.
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This review synthesizes current knowledge on microbial plastic degradation, covering the enzymes and metabolic pathways involved in breaking down major synthetic polymers, the challenges limiting efficient biodegradation, and perspectives for engineering improved microbial solutions to plastic waste.
Can polymer-degrading microorganisms solve the bottleneck of plastics' environmental challenges?
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This review asks whether plastic-degrading microorganisms can meaningfully address the global plastic pollution problem. Researchers surveyed known biodegradation pathways and found that while promising microbes and enzymes exist, real-world applications remain limited by slow degradation rates and narrow substrate specificity. They highlight how omics and synthetic biology tools could accelerate development of practical bioremediation solutions.
Management of Environmental Plastic Pollution: a Comparison of Existing Strategies and Emerging Solutions from Nature
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Researchers reviewed the full landscape of plastic waste management strategies — from production controls and recycling to biological degradation — finding that while traditional approaches have had mixed results, newly discovered plastic-eating microbes and enzymes offer a promising complementary path to reducing the global plastic burden.
Challenges and opportunities in bioremediation of micro-nano plastics: A review.
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This review examines biological approaches to removing micro- and nanoplastics from the environment, focusing on microbial degradation and bioremediation strategies. While bioremediation holds promise, challenges remain in identifying microbes capable of degrading common plastic types and scaling these processes for practical environmental cleanup.
[Preface to the special issue: biotechnology of plastic waste degradation and valorization].
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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.
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