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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. Remediation Sign in to save

Plastic Degradation and Utilization by Microbes: Challenges and Scope

Microorganisms for sustainability 2022 1 citation ? Citation count from OpenAlex, updated daily. May differ slightly from the publisher's own count.
Amit Kumar Verma, Ashok Kumar, Arun Gupta, Swati Sharma

Summary

Plastic overaccumulation in ecosystems has driven interest in microbial degradation as a natural remediation tool, though the slow rate of natural depolymerization and the specificity of plastic-degrading enzymes remain major challenges. Expanding our understanding of microbial plastic utilization pathways could unlock biological strategies for reducing the microplastic precursors that fragment from larger plastic waste.

After the discovery of plastics in 1950, it has been used expeditiously throughout the world, which leads to its overaccumulation in the ecosystem. Microplastics are widely affecting the life of terrestrials and marine ecosystems. Natural depolymerization of plastics...

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