Aquatic Plastics Waste Biodegradation Using Plastic Degrading Microbes

Abstract

Plastic is a synthetic polymer that is highly used every year in almost every field of life. Aquatic plastic waste is plastic that scattered in the aquatic environment in the form of macroplastic or microplastic. Plastic production is expected to continue increasing from year to year. Due to the massive production and use of various plastic products, the accumulation of plastic waste in the environment is still increasing resulting in environmental pollution. Biodegradation is considered as the appropriate method to solve the problem. Plastics biodegradation involves various enzymes produced by plastic degrading microorganisms including algae, bacteria, and fungi. During biodegradation, plastics polymer will be converted into microbial biomass and gases through several steps including biodeterioration, biofragmentation, depolymerization, assimilation and mineralization. Thus, this process has less side effect on the environment.

Plastic pollution and degradation pathways: A review on the treatment technologies

“…It is crucial to understand the fragmentation process of plastic into microplastic to determine the pollution to the environment [ 41 ]. In nature, physical factors such as abrasive pressures, heating or cooling, freezing or thawing, and wetting/drying cause the plastic to degrade [ 42 ]. Two processes enhance the fragmentation of plastic debris: photochemical oxidation and mechanical abrasion.…”

“…This plastic-degrading microorganism will get energy from the biodegradation of plastics. A previous study showed that PE degradation could provide energy up to −425 kJ/mol of O 2 , almost the same as glucose at −479 kJ/mol [ 42 ].…”

Isolation and identification of Polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB)-producing microorganisms from various sources in North Sinai

“…One of the most serious environmental challenges confronting humanity today is the persistence of manmade plastics in the environment (Mannina et al, 2019). Plastics are everyday objects; they are present in almost every aspect of modern life and are used in all countries (Clunies, 2019;Asiandu, 2021). Synthetic plastic waste often harms the air, land, and water ecosystems (Asiandu et al, 2021).…”

“…Plastics are everyday objects; they are present in almost every aspect of modern life and are used in all countries (Clunies, 2019;Asiandu, 2021). Synthetic plastic waste often harms the air, land, and water ecosystems (Asiandu et al, 2021). Non-biodegradable polymer accumulation in landfills is dangerous to the environment as well as human health (Khomlaem et al, 2022).…”

“…Plastics Europe (2019) reported that global plastics manufacturing reached 348 million tonnes in 2017, which was a 4% increment compared to the previous year. But Asiandu et al (2021) predicted that the number of plastics made will rise over the next 20 years. There has been a lot of interest in microbially produced biopolymers in recent years because of their great sustainability and minimal toxicity, which can aid in reducing environmental waste disposal (Khomlaem et al, 2022).…”