State-of-the-Art Review of Aliphatic Polyesters and Polyolefins Biodeterioration by Microorganisms: From Mechanism to Characterization

Abstract

As a result of the exponential growth in the production of plastics and their extended degradation period, strong environmental concerns in association with the disposal of plastic waste have emerged. Pursuing sustainable solutions for managing plastic waste has led to significant interest in plastic biodegradation research, with a specific focus on biodeterioration facilitated by microorganisms. The biodeterioration of plastic by microorganisms is a complex phenomenon that can be influenced by a variety of environmental factors such as humidity, temperature, and pH, as well as polymer properties such as molecular structure, molecular weight, and crystallinity. Toward a better understanding of this phenomenon for resolving the issue of plastic waste, this review article focuses on the biodeterioration of synthetic polymers, in particular aliphatic polyesters and polyolefins, through the enzymatic activities of microorganisms. First, the mechanism of polymer biodegradation via enzymatic activity is discussed, followed by the physical properties of polymers and environmental conditions that influence their biodegradability rates. Then, an overview of experimental approaches and standardized protocols used to assess the biodegradability of polymers by these degrading agents is provided. Finally, current developments in employing biodeterioration for the degradation of aliphatic polyesters and polyolefins are reviewed. The review concludes with a discussion on the complexity of biodegradation by microorganisms, the necessity of proper engineering of polymer properties during production to enhance their biodegradability, and the need for further research to discover sustainable and environmentally acceptable alternatives.