Understanding challenges associated with plastic and bacterial approach toward plastic degradation

Abstract

Plastic is widely used in every sector due to its stability, durability, and low cost. The widespread use of plastic results in the compilation of plastic waste in the environment. The buildup of such a vast volume of plastic garbage has emerged as the primary cause of environmental pollution, including air, land, and water pollution. Plastics contain various harmful chemicals and toxic substances that can leak and adversely affect humans and other organisms. Managing this much plastic waste is a very challenging task; therefore, an appropriate technique is needed to address this problem. Various methods are used, such as chemical, physical, and biological, to degrade plastic waste. Bacterial degradation is known to be the most effective technique for the biodegradation approach to overcome this issue. Biodegradation has played a crucial role in removing these polluting wastes more efficiently and eco-friendly. The process of biodegradation involves a variety of bacteria, such as Acinetobacter baumannii, Bacillus weihenstephanensis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Pseudomonas fluorescens, Rhodococcus ruber, and so on.Biodegradation of plastic takes place through various biochemical pathways, including biodeterioration, biofragmentation, assimilation, and mineralization. During biodegradation, bacteria produce enzymes like esterase, cutinase, laccase, lipase, and others that break down and transform plastic polymers into microbial biomass and gases. This review aims to explain how bacteria contribute to the breakdown of plastic.

Designing biodegradable alternatives to commodity polymers

“…3). 106 A combination of abiotic and biotic mechanisms can influence the rates of degradation of polymers, with the predominant abiotic mechanisms consisting of mechanical, thermal (or thermo-oxidative), photo (photo-oxidative) and hydrolytic degradation. 107 Biodeterioration results in the alteration of the physical and chemical characteristics of a material due to superficial degradation by external environmental factors, and the action of microbial communities and other decomposer organisms.…”

“…Several excellent reviews detail the key microorganisms and enzymes involved in the biodegradation of polymers and the pathways through which degradation can be realised. 106,112,113 However, further research is required to identify enzymes and microorganisms which may act on high molecular weight polymers such as polystyrene, polyamides, PVC, polypropylene, ether-based polyurethanes and polyethylene, 114 which comprise of more than 80% of the annual plastic production. 115 Ultimate biodegradation can be influenced by a myriad of factors including structural features of the polymer, specifically, carbon chain length, functional group variation and charge density.…”

Green fabrication of PHBV microbeads using a dimethyl isosorbide solvent for skin exfoliators

“…46 In addition, a simple biodegradation process includes four key steps: biofilm formation (also known as biodeterioration), enzyme hydrolytic depolymerisation (biofragmentation), bioassimilation and mineralisation. 47,48 The first two steps are the limiting steps. Therefore, all the factors influencing the first two steps could depend on the degradation rate.…”

Microplastic emerging pollutants – impact on microbiological diversity, diarrhea, antibiotic resistance, and bioremediation

“…Bacteria can use metabolizing enzymes as biocatalysts to degrade microplastics, particularly esters of microplastic residues. 65 Recently, Acinetobacter baumannii , Bacillus weihenstephanensis , Pseudomonas aeruginosa , Pseudomonas fluorescens , and Rhodococcus ruber have been shown to exhibit the breakdown of microplastics into microbial biomass and gases. 65 Bacteria evade the action of microplastics by secreting inherited metabolizing enzymes like hydrolases and lipases.…”

“…65 Recently, Acinetobacter baumannii , Bacillus weihenstephanensis , Pseudomonas aeruginosa , Pseudomonas fluorescens , and Rhodococcus ruber have been shown to exhibit the breakdown of microplastics into microbial biomass and gases. 65 Bacteria evade the action of microplastics by secreting inherited metabolizing enzymes like hydrolases and lipases. Some bacteria secrete lipases that allow them to survive in various niches, escape the host's defenses, thermotolerant, hydrophobic and metabolize xenobiotics such as esters of microplastic residues.…”