Polymers are efficient resources that have revolutionized our society in numerous ways; however, their extensive consumption has led to an alarming level of plastic pollution in both natural and synthetic environments. The existing processes (combustion, dumping, and recycling) for disposing of this plastic pollution are costly, unsustainable, and detrimental to the environment. As a result, the potential to break down synthetic plastics for use in biological systems has recently drawn more scrutiny. Among the most essential means to lessen the effects of plastic pollution is through the process known as “biodegradation,” which is the chemical or physical alterations that occur in a material when it is exposed to light, moisture, heat, wind, and biological agents (invertebrates, algae, fungi, or bacteria). In this context, it has been shown that specific microorganisms, including algae, bacteria, and fungi, can ingest plastics and convert them into environmentally benign carbon compounds. Invertebrates encompass a diverse range of organisms, including various insects (such as waxworms and mealworms), annelids (like earthworms), and molluscs (like snails). Insects capable of biodegrading plastics, through their physical actions, such as chewing, break plastics into smaller pieces with greater surface area. At the same time, their symbiotic gut microbes provide the enzymatic machinery (like oxidases and hydrolytic enzymes) needed to break down polymers into smaller, non-toxic molecules, as explained in this review. Due to its eco-friendliness, affordability, non-polluting technology, and higher rate of enzymatic reaction (resulting in a higher degradation rate) compared to the conventional method, which has a longer processing time, it is the most promising method for degrading plastic. This is also confirmed by other studies, which have shown that mealworms can consume and biodegrade up to 70% of plastic waste within 12 h of ingestion, while Pseudomonas bacteria exhibit a slower rate, degrading around 6% of LDPE in 30 days. Other bacterial strains, such as Bacillus cereus, have demonstrated a 43% weight loss over 120 days. Therefore, this review highlights the diverse roles that microbes and invertebrates play in this process, taking into account recent findings. This review examines the significant roles of invertebrates, bacteria, fungi, and algae, as well as their remarkable enzymes, in facilitating the breakdown of synthetic polymers.

Invertebrates and Microorganisms: Potential Tools for Plastic Biomanagement

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发表日期：

2025年11月3日

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Sakshi Singh,
Istkhar Rao

摘要

Polymers are efficient resources that have revolutionized our society in numerous ways; however, their extensive consumption has led to an alarming level of plastic pollution in both natural and synthetic environments. The existing processes (combustion, dumping, and recycling) for disposing of this plastic pollution are costly, unsustainable, and detrimental to the environment. As a result, the potential to break down synthetic plastics for use in biological systems has recently drawn more scrutiny. Among the most essential means to lessen the effects of plastic pollution is through the process known as “biodegradation,” which is the chemical or physical alterations that occur in a material when it is exposed to light, moisture, heat, wind, and biological agents (invertebrates, algae, fungi, or bacteria). In this context, it has been shown that specific microorganisms, including algae, bacteria, and fungi, can ingest plastics and convert them into environmentally benign carbon compounds. Invertebrates encompass a diverse range of organisms, including various insects (such as waxworms and mealworms), annelids (like earthworms), and molluscs (like snails). Insects capable of biodegrading plastics, through their physical actions, such as chewing, break plastics into smaller pieces with greater surface area. At the same time, their symbiotic gut microbes provide the enzymatic machinery (like oxidases and hydrolytic enzymes) needed to break down polymers into smaller, non-toxic molecules, as explained in this review. Due to its eco-friendliness, affordability, non-polluting technology, and higher rate of enzymatic reaction (resulting in a higher degradation rate) compared to the conventional method, which has a longer processing time, it is the most promising method for degrading plastic. This is also confirmed by other studies, which have shown that mealworms can consume and biodegrade up to 70% of plastic waste within 12 h of ingestion, while Pseudomonas bacteria exhibit a slower rate, degrading around 6% of LDPE in 30 days. Other bacterial strains, such as Bacillus cereus, have demonstrated a 43% weight loss over 120 days. Therefore, this review highlights the diverse roles that microbes and invertebrates play in this process, taking into account recent findings. This review examines the significant roles of invertebrates, bacteria, fungi, and algae, as well as their remarkable enzymes, in facilitating the breakdown of synthetic polymers.