Emerging and Re-Emerging Challenges in Microbial Plastic Degradation and Prospects: A Review

Abstract

Plastics are high-molecular-mass polymers made of synthetic or semi-synthetic organic compounds used in the production of water bottles, medical supplies and food packaging and more. Increased plastic production in recent years has resulted in an accumulation of plastic garbage in our environment, which is quite concerning. This review aims to synthesize knowledge on plastics and microbial plastic degradation, with particular focus on emerging and re-emerging challenges that hinder its large-scale application. The discharge of plastic additives, the buildup of microplastics in the marine environment, and their lack of degradability can all have a negative impact on aquatic life and human health. Synthetic polymers have been broken down using physicochemical techniques, such as photodegradation and thermal treatment, but reported efficiencies are often below 40% and can generate toxic byproducts such as aldehydes and microplastics.One environmentally beneficial solution to the plastic pollution problem is biodegradation. Several plastic- degrading bacteria, including Pseudomonas species, Bacillus species, Alcanivorax species, and Actinomycetes, have been isolated have also been found to degrade plastics while microbial plastic degradation has gained attention as an eco-friendly approach, several emerging and re-emerging challenges hinder its widespread application. These include the slow degradation rates, microbial adaptability to synthetic polymers, genetic and metabolic limitations, and the influence of environmental factors on microbial efficiency. Recent advancements in biotechnology, such as enzyme engineering, metagenomics, and synthetic biology, offer promising prospects for enhancing microbial plastic degradation. This review presents the current challenges, potential solutions, and future directions in microbial plastic degradation.