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Plastic Biodegradation
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This book chapter provides an overview of biodegradable plastics — materials that can be broken down by microbial or enzymatic activity — as alternatives to conventional plastics that accumulate as persistent environmental microplastics. It reviews the types of biodegradable polymers available and the conditions required for their effective degradation.
Plastics that are degraded by microbial or enzymatic activity are known as biodegradable plastics. Biodegradable plastics are an alternative to conventional plastics that are chemically synthesized and are responsible for causing environmental pollution due to unwanted accumulation occurring via disposal practices. There was a serious need to introduce biodegradable plastics in the market since the level of plastic pollution in the air, water, and soil has reached its threshold values. The non-biodegradable plastics are increasingly accumulating in the environment, which can be a threat to the planet in the coming future. This chapter provides detailed insight into biodegradables polymers, mostly aliphatic polyesters that are considered as a solution against synthetic plastic. It also gives brief information on the current scenario of plastic biodegradation, recent advancements, opportunities, and future challenges. Also, it comprises precise strategies currently used at a laboratory scale to enhance biodegradation of classical synthetic plastics (e.g., polyethylene, polystyrene, etc.). Moreover, the factors affecting the biodegradation process and the characterization techniques being employed to assess degradation extent are also discussed. The overall work focuses on thrust areas to be improved concerning environmental safety and sustainable vision.
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Characteristic Features of Plastic Microbial Degradation
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This book chapter reviews the characteristics of microbial plastic degradation, covering the enzymes, metabolic pathways, and environmental conditions that affect breakdown rates for different polymer types. Understanding microbial degradation mechanisms is foundational to developing biological solutions for microplastic pollution.
Enzyme‐Catalyzed Biodegradation of Micro‐ and Nanoplastics
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This chapter examines enzyme-catalyzed biodegradation of micro- and nanoplastics, detailing the mechanisms by which various enzymes break down synthetic polymers and comparing the advantages of enzymatic approaches over conventional plastic disposal methods.
The Bioconversion of Plastic Materials
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This review paper discusses the potential for microorganisms to biologically degrade plastics as a response to widespread plastic accumulation in the environment. It covers the diversity of plastic-degrading microbes and the biochemical mechanisms involved in breaking down synthetic polymers.
Advances in Biodegradable Polymers: Synthesis, Properties and Environmental Applications
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This review pulls together current research on biodegradable plastics made from natural, synthetic, and microbial sources, looking at how they break down and where they could replace conventional petroleum-based plastics in things like food packaging and farming. Since plastic pollution and microplastics are increasingly linked to health concerns, developing materials that break down safely instead of persisting in the environment (and potentially our food and water) matters for reducing our long-term exposure. The paper notes these alternatives still need more research and better regulations before they can be widely used to replace everyday plastics.
Biodegradation of typical plastics and its mechanisms
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This review summarizes the mechanisms by which common plastic types are broken down by bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms in the environment. Despite their chemical stability, many plastics can be degraded — though slowly — with the pace depending on environmental conditions and plastic type. The paper provides a foundation for developing faster biodegradation strategies to reduce plastic pollution.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.