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Trends in Biotechnology Sep 2023Biological degradation of plastic waste is an environmentally and economically friendlier alternative to current recycling practices and enables the cycling of plastic... (Review)
Review
Biological degradation of plastic waste is an environmentally and economically friendlier alternative to current recycling practices and enables the cycling of plastic monomers back into virgin-quality plastics. However, due to slow reaction rates, there is a lack of an industrially viable biodegradation strategy for most plastics. Here, we highlight the applicability of a thermophilic biodegradation strategy over a mesophilic approach, to enhance enzyme accessibility and catalyze plastic biodegradation. Thus, at reactions closer to the melting temperature or glass transition temperature of plastics, thermophilic reactions can offer an alternative direction to conventional plastic biodegradation strategies.
Topics: Plastics; Biodegradation, Environmental; Recycling
PubMed: 37121828
DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2023.03.016 -
Environmental Pollution (Barking, Essex... Apr 2024Plastic waste is a growing global pollutant. Plastic degradation by microorganisms has captured attention as an earth-friendly tactic. Although the mechanisms of plastic... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Plastic waste is a growing global pollutant. Plastic degradation by microorganisms has captured attention as an earth-friendly tactic. Although the mechanisms of plastic degradation by bacteria, fungi, and algae have been explored over the past decade, a large knowledge gap still exists regarding the identification, sorting, and cultivation of efficient plastic degraders, primarily because of their uncultivability. Advances in sequencing techniques and bioinformatics have enabled the identification of microbial degraders and related enzymes and genes involved in plastic biodegradation. In this review, we provide an outline of the situation of plastic degradation and summarize the methods for effective microbial identification using multidisciplinary techniques such as multiomics, meta-analysis, and spectroscopy. This review introduces new strategies for controlling plastic pollution in an environmentally friendly manner. Using this information, highly efficient and colonizing plastic degraders can be mined via targeted sorting and cultivation. In addition, based on the recognized rules and plastic degraders, we can perform an in-depth analysis of the associated degradation mechanism, metabolic features, and interactions.
Topics: Plastics; Bacteria; Biodegradation, Environmental; Fungi
PubMed: 38369095
DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.123572 -
The Science of the Total Environment Oct 2023This short communication paper comments on the controversial but highly unpleasant topic of littered plastic dog waste bags in the environment. Littered plastic dog...
This short communication paper comments on the controversial but highly unpleasant topic of littered plastic dog waste bags in the environment. Littered plastic dog waste bags are a source of plastic and microplastic pollution and dog faeces contained in these littered bags also pose human and ecological health risks. This short communication suggests that this littering may be occurring due to confusion by pet owners, who may believe that these so called 'biodegradable' bags are compositable, which in the absence of industrial composting facilities, are not. Thus, plastic dog waste bags continue to be a source of plastic and microplastic pollution in the environment long after they have been littered. All pet owners should deposit plastic dog poop bags in appropriate waste bins, not in the environment.
Topics: Dogs; Animals; Humans; Microplastics; Plastics; Environmental Pollution; Feces
PubMed: 37414193
DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.165332 -
Environmental Toxicology and... Jun 2024Phthalate esters (PAEs) are widely used as plasticizers to enhance the flexibility and durability of different consumer products, including clothing. However, concerns... (Review)
Review
Phthalate esters (PAEs) are widely used as plasticizers to enhance the flexibility and durability of different consumer products, including clothing. However, concerns have been raised about the potential adverse health effects associated with the presence of phthalates in textiles, such as endocrine disruption, reproductive toxicity and potential carcinogenicity. Based on examination of more than 120 published articles, this paper presents a comprehensive review of studies concerning the phthalate content in clothing and other textile products, with special emphasis on those conducted in the last decade (2014-2023). The types and role of PAEs as plasticizers, the relevant legislation in different countries (emphasizing the importance of monitoring PAE levels in clothing to protect consumer health) and the analytical methods used for PAE determination are critically evaluated. The review also discusses the models used to evaluate exposure to PAEs and the associated health risks. Finally, the study limitations and challenges related to determining the phthalate contents of textile products are considered.
Topics: Phthalic Acids; Humans; Plasticizers; Clothing; Esters; Textiles; Animals
PubMed: 38677495
DOI: 10.1016/j.etap.2024.104457 -
Environment International Oct 2023Microplastics are created for commercial use, are shed from textiles, or result from the breakdown of larger plastic items. Recent reports have shown that microplastics...
Microplastics are created for commercial use, are shed from textiles, or result from the breakdown of larger plastic items. Recent reports have shown that microplastics accumulate in human tissues and may have adverse health consequences. Currently, there are no standardized environmental monitoring systems to track microplastic accumulation within human tissues. Using Raman spectroscopy, we investigated the temporal exposures to plastic pollution in Hawai'i and noted a significant increase in the accumulation of microplastics in discarded placentas over the past 15 years, with changes in the size and chemical composition of the polymers. These findings provide a rare insight into the vulnerability and sensitivity of Pacific Island residents to plastic pollution and illustrate how discarded human tissues can be used as an innovative environmental plastic pollution monitoring system.
Topics: Humans; Pregnancy; Female; Microplastics; Plastics; Hawaii; Environmental Monitoring; Environmental Pollution; Water Pollutants, Chemical
PubMed: 37741006
DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2023.108220 -
Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Sep 2023The demand to produce plastic has increased yearly; only in 2020, there was a production of approximately 368 million tons worldwide. According to Plastics Europe, from... (Review)
Review
The demand to produce plastic has increased yearly; only in 2020, there was a production of approximately 368 million tons worldwide. According to Plastics Europe, from 2016 to 2018, a total of 29.1 Mt of plastic waste was generated, and 24% of this ended up in a landfill, generating problems due to accumulation. The increase in the demand for plastics has begun to contribute to the shortage of oil sources, a non-renewable resource. On the other hand, various researchers have reported effects on human health such as neurological damage, cancer in the nasal cavities, prostate, and ovarian cancer, and in animal species, destruction of the digestive and respiratory tracts due to the consumption of microplastics in food. Due to these reasons, various solutions have been proposed for recovering and recycling plastic waste. One of the most promising technologies is thermal and catalytic degradation, known as pyrolysis. This technology allows the recovery of chemical compounds of high energy value. In this work, the various environmental and social impacts caused by plastic are discussed. Worldwide consumption data is provided by sector and type of plastic, and the different routes of thermal degradation for each type of thermoplastic are shown.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Male; Plastics; Environmental Monitoring; Microplastics; Catalysis; Europe
PubMed: 37682497
DOI: 10.1007/s10661-023-11725-5 -
Environmental Research Aug 2023Environment plastic litter accumulation is a significant concern, needing urgent advancements in plastic waste management. Recent investigations into plastic... (Review)
Review
Environment plastic litter accumulation is a significant concern, needing urgent advancements in plastic waste management. Recent investigations into plastic biodegradation by bacteria and their enzymes are creating exciting unique opportunities for the development of biotechnological plastic waste treatment methods. This review summarizes information on bacterial and enzymatic biodegradation of plastic in a wide range of synthetic plastics such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), polyurethane (PUR), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Plastic biodegradation is facilitated by Acinetobacter, Bacillus, Brevibacillus, Escherichia, Pseudomonas, Micrococcus, Streptomyces, and Rhodococcus bacteria, and enzymes such as proteases, esterases, lipases, and glycosidases. Molecular and analytical procedures used to analyze biodegradation processes are outlined, as are the obstacles in verifying plastic breakdown using these methods. Taken together, the findings of this study will contribute significantly to the construction of a library of high-efficiency bacterial isolates and consortiums and their enzymes for use in plastic biosynthesis. This information is useful to researchers investigating plastic bioremediation and a supplement to the scientific and grey literature already accessible. Finally, the review focuses on expanding the understanding of bacterial capacity to break-down plastic utilizing modern biotechnological methods, bio-nanotechnological-based materials, and their future role in resolving pollution problems.
Topics: Plastics; Microplastics; Biodegradation, Environmental; Bacteria; Polyethylene
PubMed: 37172684
DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.116110 -
Nature Microbiology Dec 2023Plastics are indispensable in everyday life and industry, but the environmental impact of plastic waste on ecosystems and human health is a huge concern. Microbial... (Review)
Review
Plastics are indispensable in everyday life and industry, but the environmental impact of plastic waste on ecosystems and human health is a huge concern. Microbial biotechnology offers sustainable routes to plastic production and waste management. Bacteria and fungi can produce plastics, as well as their constituent monomers, from renewable biomass, such as crops, agricultural residues, wood and organic waste. Bacteria and fungi can also degrade plastics. We review state-of-the-art microbial technologies for sustainable production and degradation of bio-based plastics and highlight the potential contributions of microorganisms to a circular economy for plastics.
Topics: Humans; Plastics; Ecosystem; Biotechnology; Bacteria
PubMed: 38030909
DOI: 10.1038/s41564-023-01529-1 -
The Science of the Total Environment Aug 2023With the benefits of coming at low-cost, being light-weight and having a high formability and durability, conventional plastics are widely used in both industry and... (Review)
Review
With the benefits of coming at low-cost, being light-weight and having a high formability and durability, conventional plastics are widely used in both industry and daily life. However, because of their durability and extensive half-life with poor degradability and the low recycling rate, large amounts of plastic waste are accumulated in various environments, posing a significant threat to organisms and ecosystems. Compared to conventional physical and chemical degradation, biodegradation of plastic might become a promising and environmentally friendly solution for this problem. One of the aims of this review is to briefly describe the impact of plastics (especially microplastics). To facilitate rapid advancements in the area of plastic biodegradation, this paper provides a comprehensive review of the candidate organisms capable of biodegrading plastics and originating from four categories including natural microorganisms, artificially derived microorganisms, algae and animal organisms. In addition, the potential mechanism during plastic biodegradation and associated driving factors are summarized and discussed. Furthermore, the recent biotechnological progress (e.g. synthetic biology, systems biology, etc.) is highlighted as being key for future research. Finally, innovative research avenues for future studies are proposed. Concluding, our review is addressing the practical application of plastic biodegradation and the plastic pollution, thus necessitating more sustainable developments.
Topics: Animals; Plastics; Ecosystem; Microplastics; Waste Management; Biodegradation, Environmental
PubMed: 37149171
DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.163908 -
International Journal of Environmental... Aug 2023Plastics, due to their varied properties, find use in different sectors such as agriculture, packaging, pharmaceuticals, textiles, and construction, to mention a few.... (Review)
Review
Plastics, due to their varied properties, find use in different sectors such as agriculture, packaging, pharmaceuticals, textiles, and construction, to mention a few. Excessive use of plastics results in a lot of plastic waste buildup. Poorly managed plastic waste (as shown by heaps of plastic waste on dumpsites, in free spaces, along roads, and in marine systems) and the plastic in landfills, are just a fraction of the plastic waste in the environment. A complete picture should include the micro and nano-plastics (MNPs) in the hydrosphere, biosphere, lithosphere, and atmosphere, as the current extreme weather conditions (which are effects of climate change), wear and tear, and other factors promote MNP formation. MNPs pose a threat to the environment more than their pristine counterparts. This review highlights the entry and occurrence of primary and secondary MNPs in the soil, water and air, together with their aging. Furthermore, the uptake and internalization, by plants, animals, and humans are discussed, together with their toxicity effects. Finally, the future perspective and conclusion are given. The material utilized in this work was acquired from published articles and the internet using keywords such as plastic waste, degradation, microplastic, aging, internalization, and toxicity.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Plastics; Microplastics; Textiles; Aging; Agriculture
PubMed: 37681807
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20176667