14.4 Conclusion and Future Recommendations
This chapter has discussed extensively the practical application of beneficial microorganism that could degrade plastic and synthetic polymers. It was established in this
chapter that microbial degradation of plastic has several merits when compared to
physical and synthetic approaches. Furthermore, the application of engineered
biodegradation pathways should be encourage to enhance the biodegradability
capability of these potential strains. The modes of action through which these strain
break down the surface of the polymer were also discussed in details. The application of techniques such as atomic force microscopy and scanning electron microscopy was also elucidated for the validation of the role of these biodegradative strains
most especially their degradative role on the surface of these plastics. The application of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy for the detection and monitoring of
the biodegradation of these plastic was also highlighted in detail. This chapter also
established that the application of potential strains isolated from landfill environment
could be utilized for the biodegradation of plastic wastes in a controlled environment
such as landfill or in dumped soil.
References
Acampora H, Berrow S, Newton S, O’Connor I (2017) Presence of plastic litter in pellets from
Great Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo) in Ireland. Mar Pollut Bull 117:512–514
Apinya T, Sombatsompop N, Prapagdee B (2015) Selection of a Pseudonocardia sp. RM423 that
accelerates the biodegradation of poly (lactic) acid in submerged cultures and in soil microcosms. Int Biodeterior Biodegrad 99:23–30. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ibiod.2015.01.001
Austina HP, Allena MD, Donohoe BS, Rorrerc NA, Kearns FL, Silveira RL, Pollard BC,
Dominick G, Duman R, El Omari K, Mykhaylyk V, Wagner A, Michener WE, Amore A,
Skafe MS, Crowley MF, Thornea AW, Johnsonc CW, Woodcock HL, McGeehana JE,
Beckham GT (2018) Characterization and engineering of a plastic-degrading aromatic
polyesterase. PNAS 115(19):E4350–E4357. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1718804115
Bassi A (2017) Biotechnology for the management of plastic wastes. In: In book: current developments in biotechnology and bioengineering. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-444-63664-5.
00013-7
Begum MA, Varalakshmi B, Umamagheswari K (2015) Biodegradation of polythene bag using
bacteria isolated from soil. Int J Curr Microbiol Appl Sci 4(11):674–680
Butbunchu N, Pathom-Aree W (2019) Actinobacteria as promising candidate for polylactic acid
type bioplastic degradation. Front Microbiol 10:2834. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2019.
02834
Chomchoei A, Pathom-aree W, Yogota T, Kanonguch C, Lumyong S (2011)
Amycolatopsisthailandensis sp. nov., a poly (L-lactic acid)-degrading actinomycete, isolated
from soil. Int J Syst Evol Microbiol 61:839–843. https://doi.org/10.1099/ijs.0.023564-0
Chukwuma SE, Tagbo R, Ephraim NA, Obinna AO, Ikechukwu N, Onwurah E (2012) Biotechnological tools for environmental sustainability: prospects and challenges for environments in
Nigeria—a standard review. Biotechnol Res Int 2012:450802. https://doi.org/10.1155/2012/
450802
14 Plastic-Eating Microorganisms: Recent Biotechnological Techniques for Recycling. . . 369
This chapter has discussed extensively the practical application of beneficial microorganism that could degrade plastic and synthetic polymers. It was established in this
chapter that microbial degradation of plastic has several merits when compared to
physical and synthetic approaches. Furthermore, the application of engineered
biodegradation pathways should be encourage to enhance the biodegradability
capability of these potential strains. The modes of action through which these strain
break down the surface of the polymer were also discussed in details. The application of techniques such as atomic force microscopy and scanning electron microscopy was also elucidated for the validation of the role of these biodegradative strains
most especially their degradative role on the surface of these plastics. The application of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy for the detection and monitoring of
the biodegradation of these plastic was also highlighted in detail. This chapter also
established that the application of potential strains isolated from landfill environment
could be utilized for the biodegradation of plastic wastes in a controlled environment
such as landfill or in dumped soil.
References
Acampora H, Berrow S, Newton S, O’Connor I (2017) Presence of plastic litter in pellets from
Great Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo) in Ireland. Mar Pollut Bull 117:512–514
Apinya T, Sombatsompop N, Prapagdee B (2015) Selection of a Pseudonocardia sp. RM423 that
accelerates the biodegradation of poly (lactic) acid in submerged cultures and in soil microcosms. Int Biodeterior Biodegrad 99:23–30. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ibiod.2015.01.001
Austina HP, Allena MD, Donohoe BS, Rorrerc NA, Kearns FL, Silveira RL, Pollard BC,
Dominick G, Duman R, El Omari K, Mykhaylyk V, Wagner A, Michener WE, Amore A,
Skafe MS, Crowley MF, Thornea AW, Johnsonc CW, Woodcock HL, McGeehana JE,
Beckham GT (2018) Characterization and engineering of a plastic-degrading aromatic
polyesterase. PNAS 115(19):E4350–E4357. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1718804115
Bassi A (2017) Biotechnology for the management of plastic wastes. In: In book: current developments in biotechnology and bioengineering. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-444-63664-5.
00013-7
Begum MA, Varalakshmi B, Umamagheswari K (2015) Biodegradation of polythene bag using
bacteria isolated from soil. Int J Curr Microbiol Appl Sci 4(11):674–680
Butbunchu N, Pathom-Aree W (2019) Actinobacteria as promising candidate for polylactic acid
type bioplastic degradation. Front Microbiol 10:2834. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2019.
02834
Chomchoei A, Pathom-aree W, Yogota T, Kanonguch C, Lumyong S (2011)
Amycolatopsisthailandensis sp. nov., a poly (L-lactic acid)-degrading actinomycete, isolated
from soil. Int J Syst Evol Microbiol 61:839–843. https://doi.org/10.1099/ijs.0.023564-0
Chukwuma SE, Tagbo R, Ephraim NA, Obinna AO, Ikechukwu N, Onwurah E (2012) Biotechnological tools for environmental sustainability: prospects and challenges for environments in
Nigeria—a standard review. Biotechnol Res Int 2012:450802. https://doi.org/10.1155/2012/
450802
14 Plastic-Eating Microorganisms: Recent Biotechnological Techniques for Recycling. . . 369