Plastic-degrading microbes

Plastic, a group of synthetic materials made from organic polymers, is widespread in nature and poses risks to wildlife and humans. While natural polymers like cellulose and chitin can be broken down by microorganisms using specialized enzymes, plastic remains largely resistant. Some microbes have evolved to degrade plastic, offering hope for solutions to plastic pollution. However, their enzymes are not yet efficient enough to tackle the large-scale plastic waste problem. While microbial enzymes hold potential for biotechnological solutions, careful evaluation is needed to balance environmental benefits with our reliance on durable plastics.