The Role of Microbial Enzyme in Plastic Biodegradation: A Fruitful Approach for Combating Plastic Pollution
Yogita Basene *
Department of Biotechnology, Pandit Shambhu Nath Shukla University, Shahdol, 484001, MP, India.
Manjusha Pillai
School of Bioengineering and Food Technology, Biotechnology and Management Sciences, Shooloni University, Solan 173229, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Plastic pollution is a significant issue globally. Plastic pollution in the environment and its entry into the food chain are detrimental to humans, animals, and plants. There are many drawbacks to using traditional approaches to tackle plastic pollution. A proposed solution to this problem is the biodegradation of plastics by microbial enzymes. Enzymes produced by bacteria and fungi have a propensity to completely break down polymers. This review included level and causes of plastic pollution and the conventional ways for reducing plastic pollution, the biodegradation of plastics using plastic-degrading microbial enzymes, which included various sources of bacterial and fungal originated enzymes to breakdown the plastic contents.
Keywords: Plastic, enzymes, biodegradation, polymers, bacteria, challenges