Biodegradation of Polymers with Microbial Agents

Pollution by plastics is a major concern in this era. This paper discusses the research achievements concerning the degradation of polymers using different microbes. The bacterial and fungal populations that reside in waste or dumped plastics decompose plastics naturally by enzymatic aerobic or anaerobic biodegradation. Bacteria and fungi with polymer-degrading ability are isolated through various technologies. The specific bacterial species like Bacillus sp., Rhodococcus sp., Pseudomonas sp., Staphylococcus sp., Arthrobacter sp., Microbacterium sp. and Phanerochaete sp. etc. and specific fungal species like Aspergillus sp. or Penicillium sp. etc. degrade polymers in the relevant rate of duration. The microbial polymer degradation reforms soil properties, soil ecology, soil ecosystem and agricultural crop production, and improves the quality of surface and subsurface water. It restricts the pollution in the soil layer and mitigates the release of waste polymer from the polymer industry. Eventually, it will help to sustain the ecology and natural ecosystem. Furthermore, the scientific investigation may build standard materials and methods for producing biodegradable fertilizers for polymer degradation. Overall assessment of the study indicates that there is a possibility of developing effective bacterial or fungal consortia suited for external application on plastic debris for faster degradation, as well as to tackle waste management in polymer industries.