Microbial and Enzymatic Degradation of Plastics

Dear Colleagues,

Plastic pollution is a global threat to terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Some naturally occurring polyester materials, such as polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) and polylactic acid (PLA), are considered biodegradable. Some synthetic polymers derived from petroleum are amenable to natural biodegradation processes, while others are highly recalcitrant to biodegradation. “Biodegradation” is a complex process consisting of “biodeterioration” and leading to “biofragmentation”, which results in “bioassimilation” by the microorganism(s), and ultimately, “mineralization”, which would be the complete conversion of the carbon on the polymer to cell biomass, water, and carbon dioxide. Most papers reporting on the biodegradation of polymers provide evidence of biodeterioration. Some provide evidence of biodeterioration and biofragmentation. Authors usually assume bioassimilation simply because they observe an increase in bacteria or fungal cell mass, but do not provide direct evidence that the bacterial growth is due to assimilation of the carbon. Finally, evidence of mineralization of the polymer is lacking in most biodegradation papers. Each polymer type has its own specific physical–mechanical and thermal properties, which are determined largely by the chemical structure of the polymers. Understanding the mechanisms of polymer degradation by microbes and the enzymes they employ is an essential first step toward a rational, biologically based solution to the plastic pollution problem, leading to the development of engineered processes for disposing of plastic materials. This Special Issue of Fermentation, titled “Microbial and Enzymatic Degradation of Plastics”, will focus on identification and characterization of polymer-degrading microbes and the enzymes they employ to degrade these compounds.   

Prof. Dr. David B. Levin
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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• polymers
• biodegradation
• biodeterioration
• biofragmentation
• bioassimilation
• natural polyesters
• synthetic polymers