Potential microorganisms for plastic degradation: Mechanisms, efficiency, and applications

The widespread use of synthetic plastics has resulted in severe environmental pollution due to their persistence, accumulation, and resistance to natural degradation processes. Conventional plastic waste management strategies, including landfilling, incineration, and mechanical recycling, have proven insufficient to address the growing global plastic burden. In this context, microbial degradation of plastics has emerged as a promising, environmentally friendly alternative. A diverse range of microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, and actinomycetes, have demonstrated the ability to colonize, modify, and degrade synthetic polymers through enzymatic and metabolic processes. This review provides a comprehensive overview of potential plastic-degrading microorganisms, emphasizing their degradation mechanisms, efficiency, and practical applications. The biochemical pathways involved in polymer breakdown, factors influencing microbial degradation efficiency, and advances in biotechnological approaches are discussed in detail. Furthermore, current limitations, ecological considerations, and future perspectives for large-scale implementation of microbial plastic degradation are critically evaluated. This review highlights the potential of microbial systems as sustainable solutions to plastic pollution and underscores the need for interdisciplinary research to translate laboratory findings into real-world applications.