Abstract

Plastics accumulate in environment and pollute it. They pose many challenges for the environment. Bioplastics or bio-based plastics are a viable and suitable alternative to plastics. Bioplastics have emerged as sustainable alternatives to petroleum based plastics, offering reduced environmental impacts and biodegradability. However, their degradation efficiency in real-world conditions remains variable and influenced by microbial activity. Many microbial genera actively break down plastics by biofilm formation and thereafter liberation of enzymes like cutinase and esterase. This breakdown can be estimated by loss of weight and other parameters. Many factors control this biodegradation, like nutrients, temperature, pH and other factors. This review explores the current understanding of microbial degradation of bioplastics, focusing on the types of bioplastics, microbial enzymatic mechanisms, environmental factors, and the challenges involved. This is a very interesting topic encompassing medical science, biotechnology and other streams. We also highlight recent advances in biotechnology to enhance degradation and propose directions for future research.

• 1.   https://tessforum.org/latest/trading-ourway-out-of-plastic-pollution-the-role-ofsustainable-substitutes-and-alternatives. Last accessed 24.4.25.
• 2.   Pooja, N., Chakraborty, I., Rahman, M.H. et al. An insight on sources and biodegradation of bioplastics: a review. 3 Biotech 2023; 13:220. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13205-023-03638-4.
• 3.   What is PLA plastic? https://www. b i o p a k . c o m / a u / r e s o u r c e s / w h a t - i s - p l a # : ~ : t e x t = W h a t % 2 0 I s % 2 0 P L A % 2 0 Bioplastic%3F,sugarcane%20or%20sugar%20 beet%20pulp. Last accessed 24.04.25.
• 4.   Zhou W, Bergsma S, Colpa DI, Euverink GJW, Krooneman J. Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) synthesis and degradation by microbes and applications towards a circular economy. J Envion Manag 2023;341:118033.
• 5.   Singh P, Pandey VK, Singh R, Singh K, Dash KK, Malik S. Unveiling the potential of starch-blended biodegradable polymers for substantializing the eco-friendly innovations. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/ article/abs/pii/B9780128210079000048. Last accessed 26.4.25.
• 6.   Rahmati F, Sethi D, Shu W, Lajayer BA, Mosaferi M, Thomson A, et al. Advances in microbial exoenzymes bioengineering for improvement of bioplastics degradation. Chemosphere 2024;355: 141749.
• 7.   Mohanan I, Montazer Z, Sharma PK, Levin DB. Microbial and Enzymatic Degradation of Synthetic Plastics. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:580709. doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.580709
• 8.   8.Suresh V, Shams R, Dash KK, Shaikh AM, KovácsB.Comprehensive review on enzymatic polymer degradation: A sustainable solution for plastics. J Agri Food Res 2025:20: 101788.
• 9.   Genetically modified bacteria break down plastics in saltwater. https://www.nsf.gov/ news/genetically-modified-bacteria-breakdown-plastics#:~:text=The%20modified%20 organism%20can%20break,saltwater%20 and%20reproduces%20very%20quickly. Last accessed 26.04.25
• 10.   Saini, N. et al. Genetically Engineered Plastic Munching Microbes: Recent Advancements and Perspectives. In: Soni, R, Debbarma P, Suyal DC, Goel R. (eds) Advanced Strategies for Biodegradation of Plastic Polymers. 2024. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978- 3-031-55661-6_8.
• 11.   Microbial bioplastic degradation. https:// asm.org/articles/2021/november/microbialbioplastic-degradation. Last accessed 26.0.25.
• 12.   Zeenat, Elahi A, Bukhari DA, Shamim S, Rehman A. Plastics degradation by microbes: A sustainable approach. J King Saud University Sci 2021;33(6):101538.
• 13.   Omura T, Isobe N, Miura T, et al. Microbial decomposition of biodegradable plastics on the deep-sea floor. Nat Commun 2014;15, 568. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-023-44368-8.
• 14.   Heris YS. Bacterial biodegradation of synthetic plastics: a review. Bull Natl Res Cent 2024; 48:87. https://doi.org/10.1186/s42269-024- 01241-y.
• 15.   Trivedi P, Hasan A, Akhtar S, Siddiqui MH, Sayeed U, et al. J Chem Pharm Res 2016;8(3): 211-16

Data Sharing Statement

Funding