Microorganisms in Plastics and Bioplastics: Biodegradation, Biosynthesis, and Environmental Impacts

A special issue of Microorganisms (ISSN 2076-2607). This special issue belongs to the section "Environmental Microbiology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 July 2026 | Viewed by 35

Special Issue Editor


E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Biotechnology Laboratories, Biocatalysis, Bioproducts and Bioenergy, Institute of Microbiology Paulo de Góes, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Av. Carlos Chagas Filho, 373, Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, Brazil
Interests: microbiologia; biotecnologia; enzimas; bioprodutos; peptidases
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Plastic pollution has become one of the most critical global environmental challenges, driven by the extensive use of petroleum-derived plastics that, despite being recyclable, remain largely non-biodegradable and environmentally persistent. Growing evidence shows that micro- and nanoplastics pose emerging risks to ecosystems and human health.

Microbiology has become a platform of scientific innovation, offering strategies such as the production of microbial bioplastics and the biodegradation of synthetic polymers using specialized microorganisms and enzymes. Recent advances in microbial depolymerization, metabolic pathways, and the generation of bio-based chemicals from plastic waste highlight the potential of biotechnology to deliver circular, sustainable solutions.

Dr. Alane Beatriz Vermelho
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Microorganisms is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • plastic pollution
  • bioplastics
  • biodegradation
  • biosynthesis
  • synthetic polymers
  • sustainable development

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers

This special issue is now open for submission.
Back to TopTop