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Microbial engineering strategies for synthetic microplastics clean up: A review on recent approaches
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This review examined microbial engineering strategies for breaking down synthetic microplastics, covering PETase and MHETase enzyme engineering, immobilization approaches, and the major challenges that remain before biological plastic cleanup can be deployed at scale.
Microplastics are the small fragments of the plastic molecules which find their applications in various routine products such as beauty products. Later, it was realized that it has several toxic effects on marine and terrestrial organisms. This review is an approach in understanding the microplastics, their origin, dispersal in the aquatic system, their biodegradation and factors affecting biodegradation. In addition, the paper discusses the major engineering approaches applied in microbial biotechnology. Specifically, it reviews microbial genetic engineering, such as PET-ase engineering, MHET-ase engineering, and immobilization approaches. Moreover, the major challenges associated with the plastic removal are presented by evaluating the recent reports available.
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A review on microbial bioremediation of polyethylene terephthalate microplastics
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This review focuses on microbial biodegradation of PET microplastics — the plastic used in bottles and synthetic textiles — detailing the specific enzymes (PETase and MHETase) that bacteria use to break the polymer down into its chemical building blocks. Biological degradation offers a lower-energy, more environmentally gentle alternative to chemical recycling or landfill, and understanding the microbial mechanisms involved is key to developing scalable bioremediation solutions for one of the most pervasive microplastic types.
Applications of Synthetic Biology in Microbial and Enzymatic Systems for Microplastic Degradation: A Review
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This review examines how synthetic biology is being used to enhance the biological breakdown of microplastics, covering advances in enzyme engineering, whole-cell engineering, and metabolic pathway design. Researchers have achieved significant improvements in plastic-degrading enzymes like PETase through directed evolution and machine learning, enabling depolymerization of consumer plastics under increasingly mild industrial conditions.
Enzymatic Remediation of Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET)–Based Polymers for Effective Management of Plastic Wastes: An Overview
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Enzymatic approaches for remediating PET-based plastic waste were reviewed, covering PETase and related enzymes that can break PET into reusable monomers. Enzyme engineering strategies to improve thermostability and catalytic efficiency are discussed as a pathway to scalable biological PET recycling.
Enzymatic Biodegradation of PET Plastics
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Plastic bottles and containers (made of PET) don't break down naturally—they just crumble into tiny microplastic pieces that end up in our food, water, and eventually our bodies. This review paper explains how scientists are studying special bacterial enzymes (called PETase and MHETase) that can actually digest PET plastic into harmless building blocks, offering a promising tool for cleaning up plastic pollution before it becomes a bigger health problem.
Recent trends in microbial and enzymatic plastic degradation: a solution for plastic pollution predicaments
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This review covers recent advances in using microorganisms and their enzymes to break down plastics including polyethylene, PVC, polystyrene, and PET, with techniques like protein engineering being used to boost enzyme efficiency. Microbial degradation offers a sustainable approach to reducing the persistent plastic pollution that generates the microplastics found throughout the environment and human body.
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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.