Plastic degradation genes and associated metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) from industrial petrochemical wastewater biotreatment systems

This study explored the genetic potential for plastic degradation by microbial communities from three continents, within industrial environments rich in natural and synthetic polymers: petrochemical wastewater biotreatment systems. Putative genes for plastic degradation were detected in substantial abundances, totalling 5,416 genes. Genes for degrading nylon, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyurethane (PU), polyethylene (PE), and polystyrene (PS) were identified within these communities, along with genes for utilizing downstream metabolites. MAGs were also produced, and the ten highest quality MAGs were used for further metabolic and ecological insights.