Recent advances in techniques for microplastic detection, microbial biodegradation and its genomic insights: a review.
Nadekar JS, Fulke AB
Summary
PubMedScientists have discovered that bacteria, fungi, and algae can biodegrade common plastics like polyethylene and PET, offering biological solutions to reduce microplastic pollution affecting soil, water, and ecosystems.
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Key Findings
Multiple advanced detection methods now available including hyperspectral imaging, nuclear magnetic resonance, and electrochemical biosensors for accurate microplastic identification and characterization
Specific bacterial, fungal, and algal groups capable of degrading polyethylene (PE), PET, polypropylene (PP), and polystyrene (PS)—the most common environmental microplastics
Genomic and enzymatic research identifies key genes and metabolic pathways enabling microbial degradation, enabling future optimization of scalable plastic remediation strategies
Original Abstract
The rapid increase in plastic production and use has caused a large buildup of microplastics (MPs) in land, freshwater, and ocean environments. This situation poses serious risks to ecosystems, biodiversity, and human health. Addressing this complex pollution problem requires accurate detection methods and sustainable strategies. This review provides a detailed look at the latest developments in techniques to identify and characterize microplastics. It covers traditional methods like microscopy, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and Raman spectroscopy along with new methods such as hyperspectral imaging, atomic force microscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), mass spectrometry-based techniques, and electrochemical biosensors. The review assesses microbial degradation of plastics. It highlights important bacterial, fungal, and algal groups involved in degrading common plastics like polyethylene (PE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polypropylene (PP), and polystyrene (PS). It also discusses genes, enzymatic processes and metabolic pathways involved in degradation process. By combining advancements in detection methods with findings from microbial and genomic studies, this review points out current challenges, new opportunities, and future directions for creating standardized, scalable, and effective strategies to tackle microplastic pollution.
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