Bioplastic Production from Microbial Systems: Progress, Challenges, and Industrial Prospects

The global dependence on petroleum-based plastics has resulted in severe environmental pollution, resource depletion, and challenges in waste management, prompting urgent demand for sustainable alternatives. Bioplastics derived from renewable resources, particularly those produced through microbial systems, have emerged as promising substitutes due to their biodegradability and lower environmental footprint. Microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, and microalgae, are capable of synthesizing biodegradable polymers such as polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), polylactic acid (PLA) precursors, and other biopolymers under optimized fermentation conditions. Significant progress has been achieved in strain engineering, substrate utilization, and fermentation technology to improve yield and reduce production costs. However, large-scale commercialization remains constrained by economic, technological, and infrastructural challenges. This review discusses microbial pathways involved in bioplastic synthesis, advances in production technologies, downstream processing, industrial applications, and current limitations hindering widespread adoption. Future prospects involving metabolic engineering, waste-based feedstocks, and integrated biorefineries are also explored, highlighting pathways toward sustainable and economically viable bioplastic production.