Degradation of petroleum-based plastics by microbes and microbial consortia.

Tong Zhang; Pan Liu; Qian Wang; Quanfeng Liang; Qingsheng QI

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Degradation of petroleum-based plastics by microbes and microbial consortia.

Author: Tong ZHANG ¹ ; Pan LIU ¹ ; Qian WANG ² ; Quanfeng LIANG ¹ ; Qingsheng QI ¹
Author Information

1. State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, Shandong, China.
2. National Glycoengineering Research Center, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, Shandong, China.
Publication Type:Review
Keywords: bacteria; biodegradation; consortia; fungi; petroleum-based plastics
MeSH: Biodegradation, Environmental; Microbial Consortia; Petroleum; Plastics; Polyurethanes
From: Chinese Journal of Biotechnology 2021;37(10):3520-3534
CountryChina
Language:Chinese
Abstract: Along with the increasingly serious environmental pollution, dealing with the "white pollution" issue, which is caused by the worldwide use of not readily-degradable or non-degradable synthetic plastics, has become a great challenge. It is an environmentally friendly strategy to degrade synthetic plastics using microorganisms that exist in nature or evolved under selection pressure. Based on the NSFC-EU International Cooperation and Exchanges Project "Bio Innovation of a Circular Economy for Plastics", this review summarized the screening of bacteria, fungi and microbial consortia capable of degrading synthetic plastics such as polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyurethane (PUR), and polyethylene terephthalate (PET). We also analyzed the role of various microorganisms played in the degradation of petroleum-based plastics. Moreover, we discussed the pros and cons of using microorganisms and enzymes for degradation of synthetic plastics.