8
metabolism (Keswani et al. 2016). Their simple structure and fast division rate
make them capable of adapting to the environment (Zeglin 2015). Microorganisms
are ubiquitous in nature and can adapt to the external environment and nutrient
availability and communicate through signals like acyl homoserine lactones to other
cells in the region (McCarty and Ledesma Amaro 2018).
Various microorganisms have been reported, such as protist, fungi, yeast, and
bacteria for the biodegradation capability for different types of plastics (Table 1.2).
The ocean has a wide range of environmental factors, such as temperature, salinity,
pH, hydrodynamic, and nutrient limiting conditions that led to the evolution of various marine habitats and species diversity (Takai and Nakamura 2010). Marine bacteria have always been of research interest because of their high biodiversity and
Table 1.1 Common additives used in various plastic and their hazards
S. No. Additive
Function
Plastic
Risk
References
1.
Vinyl chloride Paint, monomer
for
Polyvinylchloride
Polyvinylchloride,
furniture, wall
covering
Hepatic
angiosarcomas,
mutagenic
Criscuolo
et al.
(2013) and
Lotti
(2017)
2.
Butylated
hydroxytoluene
Prevent oxidation Polyolefins
Teratogen,
mutagenic,
carcinogenic,
growth
retardation and
dermatitis
NievaEchevarría
et al.
(2015)
3.
Phthalates
Soften plastic in
food packaging
Polyvinylchloride Endocrine
disruption,
asthma,
developmental
and reproductive
defects
Meeker
et al.
(2009)
4.
Bisphenol A
Adhesives,
electronic
coatings
Polycarbonate
Carcinogen,
affect immune
system, early
onset of puberty
and endocrine
disruption
Erler and
Novak
(2010)
5.
Polybrominated
diphenyl ethers
Flame retardant,
Polyurethane,
Polyolefins
Carcinogen,
fetal
malformations,
hypatotoxicity,
thyroid defect
Bjermo
et al.
(2017)
6.
Nonylphenol
Stabilizer in
plastic, food
packaging
Polyolefins
Breast cancer
and endocrine
disruptor
Sifakis
et al.
(2017)
7.
Polychlorinated
biphenyls
Non flammability,
chemical stability,
electrical
insulation
Polyolefins,
furniture, wall
covering
Endocrine
disrupters and
carcinogen
Akovali
(2012)
A. Kumari et al.
metabolism (Keswani et al. 2016). Their simple structure and fast division rate
make them capable of adapting to the environment (Zeglin 2015). Microorganisms
are ubiquitous in nature and can adapt to the external environment and nutrient
availability and communicate through signals like acyl homoserine lactones to other
cells in the region (McCarty and Ledesma Amaro 2018).
Various microorganisms have been reported, such as protist, fungi, yeast, and
bacteria for the biodegradation capability for different types of plastics (Table 1.2).
The ocean has a wide range of environmental factors, such as temperature, salinity,
pH, hydrodynamic, and nutrient limiting conditions that led to the evolution of various marine habitats and species diversity (Takai and Nakamura 2010). Marine bacteria have always been of research interest because of their high biodiversity and
Table 1.1 Common additives used in various plastic and their hazards
S. No. Additive
Function
Plastic
Risk
References
1.
Vinyl chloride Paint, monomer
for
Polyvinylchloride
Polyvinylchloride,
furniture, wall
covering
Hepatic
angiosarcomas,
mutagenic
Criscuolo
et al.
(2013) and
Lotti
(2017)
2.
Butylated
hydroxytoluene
Prevent oxidation Polyolefins
Teratogen,
mutagenic,
carcinogenic,
growth
retardation and
dermatitis
NievaEchevarría
et al.
(2015)
3.
Phthalates
Soften plastic in
food packaging
Polyvinylchloride Endocrine
disruption,
asthma,
developmental
and reproductive
defects
Meeker
et al.
(2009)
4.
Bisphenol A
Adhesives,
electronic
coatings
Polycarbonate
Carcinogen,
affect immune
system, early
onset of puberty
and endocrine
disruption
Erler and
Novak
(2010)
5.
Polybrominated
diphenyl ethers
Flame retardant,
Polyurethane,
Polyolefins
Carcinogen,
fetal
malformations,
hypatotoxicity,
thyroid defect
Bjermo
et al.
(2017)
6.
Nonylphenol
Stabilizer in
plastic, food
packaging
Polyolefins
Breast cancer
and endocrine
disruptor
Sifakis
et al.
(2017)
7.
Polychlorinated
biphenyls
Non flammability,
chemical stability,
electrical
insulation
Polyolefins,
furniture, wall
covering
Endocrine
disrupters and
carcinogen
Akovali
(2012)
A. Kumari et al.