Microbial Mechanisms and Environmental Pathways in the Biodegradation of Synthetic Plastics.
Keywords:
Plastics, Polyethene, Microbial degradation, Biodegradation mechanisms, Environmental pollution, Enzymatic degradationAbstract
Plastics are high-molecular-weight synthetic polymers primarily produced from petroleum-derived hydrocarbons. Their versatility, durability, and low manufacturing costs render them indispensable in industrial and domestic sectors. However, these properties are also responsible for their persistence and accumulation in natural ecosystems. This review highlights the origin, classification, and mechanisms of plastic degradation, emphasizing microbial biodegradation as a sustainable solution to plastic pollution. This article summarizes the thermal and chemical properties of plastics, different degradation pathways, and the enzymatic roles of microorganisms involved in the mineralization of polymeric materials. Particular attention has been given to polyethylene (PE), one of the most widely used and environmentally persistent polymers. Current evidence indicates that microbial communities can partially or completely convert synthetic polymers into benign end products, such as carbon dioxide, water, methane, and biomass, through extracellular enzymatic activity. Understanding the physicochemical parameters and microbial mechanisms influencing these processes is essential for developing eco-friendly strategies to mitigate plastic waste accumulation and its ecological impacts
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