Chapter 14
Plastic-Eating Microorganisms: Recent
Biotechnological Techniques for Recycling
of Plastic
Charles Oluwaseun Adetunji and Osikemekha Anthony Anani
Contents
14.1 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 354
14.2 Application of Plastic-Degrading Microorganisms in Environmental
Bioremediation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 355
14.3 Specific Examples of Microorganisms that Could Degrade Plastic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 360
14.4 Conclusion and Future Recommendations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 369
References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 369
Abstract Plastic has been identified as a recalcitrant polymers which are inexpensive, durable, light weighted, strong, and corrosion-resistant materials. The prolong
accumulation of these plastic and most especially the bioplastic has been highlighted
to constitute several health and environmental hazards. The movement of these
recalcitrant polymers in agricultural soil, water, and sediments has raised several
concerns globally. Therefore, there is a need to search for the potential solution that
could help in the biodegradation of synthetic polymers. The application of beneficial
microorganisms that possess the capability to degrade plastic could be an effective
and sustainable approach to all the highlighted challenges. Hence, this chapter
intends to write a comprehensive details on the application of probable microorganisms that possess the capability to degrade synthetic plastics. The modes of action
utilized by these microorganisms and their biodegradative enzymes are discussed in
detail. Further recommendation and suggestions could enhance the practical utilization of plastic biodegrading microorganism most especially for practical or field
application.
C. O. Adetunji (*)
Applied Microbiology, Biotechnology and Nanotechnology Laboratory, Department of
Microbiology, Edo University Iyamho, Auchi, Edo State, Nigeria
e-mail: adetunji.charles@edouniversity.edu.ng
O. A. Anani
Laboratory of Ecotoxicology and Forensic Biology, Department of Biological Science, Animal
and Environmental Unit, Faculty of Science, Edo University Iyamho, Auchi, Edo State, Nigeria
© The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2021
D. G. Panpatte, Y. K. Jhala (eds.), Microbial Rejuvenation of Polluted Environment,
Microorganisms for Sustainability 25, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-7447-4_14
353
Plastic-Eating Microorganisms: Recent
Biotechnological Techniques for Recycling
of Plastic
Charles Oluwaseun Adetunji and Osikemekha Anthony Anani
Contents
14.1 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 354
14.2 Application of Plastic-Degrading Microorganisms in Environmental
Bioremediation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 355
14.3 Specific Examples of Microorganisms that Could Degrade Plastic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 360
14.4 Conclusion and Future Recommendations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 369
References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 369
Abstract Plastic has been identified as a recalcitrant polymers which are inexpensive, durable, light weighted, strong, and corrosion-resistant materials. The prolong
accumulation of these plastic and most especially the bioplastic has been highlighted
to constitute several health and environmental hazards. The movement of these
recalcitrant polymers in agricultural soil, water, and sediments has raised several
concerns globally. Therefore, there is a need to search for the potential solution that
could help in the biodegradation of synthetic polymers. The application of beneficial
microorganisms that possess the capability to degrade plastic could be an effective
and sustainable approach to all the highlighted challenges. Hence, this chapter
intends to write a comprehensive details on the application of probable microorganisms that possess the capability to degrade synthetic plastics. The modes of action
utilized by these microorganisms and their biodegradative enzymes are discussed in
detail. Further recommendation and suggestions could enhance the practical utilization of plastic biodegrading microorganism most especially for practical or field
application.
C. O. Adetunji (*)
Applied Microbiology, Biotechnology and Nanotechnology Laboratory, Department of
Microbiology, Edo University Iyamho, Auchi, Edo State, Nigeria
e-mail: adetunji.charles@edouniversity.edu.ng
O. A. Anani
Laboratory of Ecotoxicology and Forensic Biology, Department of Biological Science, Animal
and Environmental Unit, Faculty of Science, Edo University Iyamho, Auchi, Edo State, Nigeria
© The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2021
D. G. Panpatte, Y. K. Jhala (eds.), Microbial Rejuvenation of Polluted Environment,
Microorganisms for Sustainability 25, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-7447-4_14
353