Critical evaluation of biodegradation studies on synthetic plastics through a systematic literature review
Abstract
Increasing amounts of plastic waste in the environment and their fragmentation into smaller particles known as microplastics (particles, <5mm) have raised global concerns due to their persistency in the environment and their potential to act as vectors for harmful substances or pathogenic microorganisms. One possible solution to this problem is biodegradation of plastics by microorganisms. However, the scientific information on plastic-degrading microorganisms is scattered across different scientific publications. We conducted a systematic literature review (SLR) with predefined criteria using the online databases of Scopus and Web of Science to find papers on bacterial biodegradation of synthetic petroleum-based polymers. The aims of this SLR were to provide an updated list of all of the currently known bacteria claimed to biodegrade synthetic plastics, to determine and define the best methods to assess biodegradation, to critically evaluate the existing studies, and to propose directions for future research on polymer biodegradation in support of more rapid development of biodegradation technologies. Most of the bacteria identified here from the 145 reviewed papers belong to the phyla Proteobacteria, Firmicutes and Actinobacteria, and most were isolated from contaminated sites, such as landfill sites. Just under a half of the studies (44%) investigated the biodegradability of polyethylenes and derivates, particularly low-density polyethylenes. The methods used to monitor the biodegradation were mainly scanning electron microscopy and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. We propose that: (1) future research should focus on biodegradation of microplastics arising from the most common pollutants (e.g. polyethylenes); (2) bacteria should be isolated from environments that are permanently contaminated with plastics; and (3) a combination of different observational methods should be used to confirm bacterial biodegradation of these plastics. Finally, when reporting, researchers need to follow standard protocols and include all essential information needed for repetition of the experiments by other research groups.
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Several microbes have been found that seemingly degrade some plastic polymers directly, though it is debated if such metabolic traits exist in the marine environment and/or substantially contribute to plastic removal from the ocean.
“Furthermore, several microbes were found that seemingly degrade some plastic polymers directly, 32,33 though it is at present debated if and in how far such metabolic traits exist in the marine environment and/or substantially contribute to plastic removal from the ocean environment.[34][35][36]”
From The fate of plastic in the ocean environment – a minireview (2021) · cites this paper as [32]
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The fate of plastic in the ocean environment – a minireview
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Analytical tools to assess polymer biodegradation: A critical review and recommendations
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- Authors
- Matjašič, T., Simčič, T., Medvešček, N., Bajt, O., Dreo, T., & Mori, N.
- Affiliations
- Jožef Stefan International Postgraduate School (SI)
- National Institute of Biology (SI)
- Corresponding author
- Matjašič, Tjaša
- Venue
- Science of The Total Environment
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2021-01
- Volume
- 752
- Pages
- 141959
- ISSN
- 0048-9697 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W3082183116
- Cited by
- 229
- References
- 163
- Citations by year
- 2026: 22 · 2025: 46 · 2024: 54 · 2023: 44 · 2022: 40 · 2021: 23
- FWCI
- 1.20
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Licence
- Locations
- The Science of The Total Environment (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- Javna Agencija za Raziskovalno Dejavnost RS (P1-0255, P1-0237, P4-0165, 51985)
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Pollution › Microplastics and Plastic Pollution
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Pollution › Microbial bioremediation and biosurfactants
- Physical Sciences › Materials Science › Biomaterials › biodegradable polymer synthesis and properties
- Keywords
- plastic biodegradation, plastic-degrading bacteria, microplastics, polyethylene, low-density polyethylene, landfill contamination, Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, actinobacteria, reporting guidelines
- MeSH terms
- Microplastics, Biodegradation, Environmental, Petroleum, Plastics, Polymers
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