Microbial Biological Degradation of Polymers: Recent Trends

Biodegradation greatly depends on microorganisms, such as bacteria, algae, and fungi, to degrade polymers through their metabolic activity under aerobic or anaerobic conditions. Synthetic plastics are greatly linked to our modern lifestyle; therefore, their accumulation in the environment is a major issue and of great concern to the environment and humans. Products such as polyvinylchloride, polystyrene, polyurethane, polyethylene, polypropylene, etc. are resistant to biodegradation pathways under natural conditions. Polymer-degrading microbes have been isolated and identified under in vitro conditions. Microbial degradation and depolymerization of waste plastics into higher-value bioproducts, such as biodegradable polymers, have been a great strategy. This chapter aims to provide valuable information pertaining to the microbial degradation of polymers through their enzymatic activity.