The plastic and microplastic waste menace and bacterial biodegradation for sustainable environmental clean-up a review

• Published in: Environmental research 2023-08, Vol.231 (Pt 1), p.116110-116110, Article 116110
• Main Authors: Chigwada, Aubrey Dickson, Tekere, Memory
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Bacteria - metabolism; Biodegradation; Biodegradation, Environmental; Microbial consortium; Microplastics; Plastic remediation; Plastic waste; Plastics; Polyethylene - metabolism
• ISSN: 0013-9351; 1096-0953
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.116110

Environment plastic litter accumulation is a significant concern, needing urgent advancements in plastic waste management. Recent investigations into plastic biodegradation by bacteria and their enzymes are creating exciting unique opportunities for the development of biotechnological plastic waste treatment methods. This review summarizes information on bacterial and enzymatic biodegradation of plastic in a wide range of synthetic plastics such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), polyurethane (PUR), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Plastic biodegradation is facilitated by Acinetobacter, Bacillus, Brevibacillus, Escherichia, Pseudomonas, Micrococcus, Streptomyces, and Rhodococcus bacteria, and enzymes such as proteases, esterases, lipases, and glycosidases. Molecular and analytical procedures used to analyze biodegradation processes are outlined, as are the obstacles in verifying plastic breakdown using these methods. Taken together, the findings of this study will contribute significantly to the construction of a library of high-efficiency bacterial isolates and consortiums and their enzymes for use in plastic biosynthesis. This information is useful to researchers investigating plastic bioremediation and a supplement to the scientific and grey literature already accessible. Finally, the review focuses on expanding the understanding of bacterial capacity to break-down plastic utilizing modern biotechnological methods, bio-nanotechnological-based materials, and their future role in resolving pollution problems. •Bacterial species exhibiting plastic bioremediation characteristics.•Recent advances in the use of highly effective bacterial consortiums as long-term remedies to plastic pollution.•Identifying and overcoming issues and obstacles in plastic bacterial bioremediation for potential new advances in pollution control is required for plastic bioremediation.•In the future, enzyme-based technologies, biotechnology, and bio-nanotechnology may increase plastic biodegradation.•Plastic degradation necessitates the development of systematic ways to enhance bacterial consortia enrichment processes.•Clear procedures for confirming biodegradation and selecting isolates are necessary.