Microbial Degradation of Environmental Microplastics

Hongqin Guo; Kai Yang; Li Cui

doi:10.7536/PC240706

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Prog Chem ›› 2025, Vol. 37 ›› Issue (1) : 112-123. DOI: 10.7536/PC240706

Microplastics Special Issue

Microbial Degradation of Environmental Microplastics

Hongqin Guo ¹^,² ,
Kai Yang ¹ ,
Li Cui ¹^,^*

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Abstract

Due to the highly stable chemical properties of plastics, plastic wastes disposed into environments are difficult to degrade and can only be broken down into microplastics with smaller particle size and larger surface area through the weathering process. Microplastic pollution has become one of the most pressing environmental issues. There is an urgent need to reduce microplastic pollution in order to protect the ecological and human health. Biodegradation of microplastics can ultimately convert microplastics into environmentally friendly substances such as biomass, CO₂, CH₄ and H₂O or other valuable intermediates. It is thus an environmentally friendly technology to potentially make microplastics harmless and resourceful. This paper reviews the present understanding of microplastics biodegradation processes, the influencing factors, the microbial and enzymatic resources for microplastics degradation, and the up-to-date approaches for mining plastics-degrading microbial resources. It finally provides perspectives on the challenges of current research and the direction of future research on microplastic biodegradation.

Contents

1 Introduction

2 Microplastic biodegradation process

2.1 Degradation pathway

2.2 Influence factors

3 Microplastic biodegradation resources

3.1 Degrading bacteria

3.2 Catabolic enzymes

3.3 Synthetic community

4 Mining strategies for microplastics-degrading microorganisms

4.1 Culture-dependent methods

4.2 Culture-independent methods

5 Conclusion and outlook

Key words

microplastics / plastic biodegradation / biodegradation process / biodegradation resources / mining strategies

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Hongqin Guo , Kai Yang , Li Cui. Microbial Degradation of Environmental Microplastics[J]. Progress in Chemistry. 2025, 37(1): 112-123 https://doi.org/10.7536/PC240706

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