Bacterial Biodegradation in Plastic Waste Management: An Insight
Keywords:
Plastics, Bioplastics, Elastomers, Additives, Plastic Degradation, Microbial Biodegradation, Bacteria, Plastic PollutionAbstract
This comprehensive overview explores the multifaceted nature of plastics, highlighting their classification, benefits, and environmental challenges. It discusses the origins of plastics, including thermoplastics, elastomers, and bioplastics, and examines harmful additives such as phthalates, BPA, and flame retardants that pose health risks. The review also addresses the environmental impact of plastic waste, particularly microplastics, and the processes of photodegradation and ozone degradation that contribute to plastic fragmentation. Furthermore, it explores the role of bacteria in bioplastics production and biodegradation, emphasizing microbial mechanisms such as adhesion, hydrolysis, and bioassimilation. Understanding these processes is critical for developing sustainable solutions to plastic pollution and promoting environmentally friendly practices.
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