Bioremediation: an alternative approach for detoxification of polymers from the contaminated environment
D. N. Borthakur, Mansi Rani, K. Mohan das, Maulin P. Shah, Bipin Kumar Sharma, Amrender Kumar
Abstract
The industries and metropolitan wastes produced by anthropogenic activities are of great concern for nature as it causes soil contamination and deteriorate the environment. Plastic utilization is rapidly enhancing globally with passing days that last for a more extended period in the environment due to slow decomposition and natural degradation. Excessive use of polymer has risked the life of both marine, freshwater and terrestrial organisms. Lack of proper waste management and inappropriate disposal leads to environmental threats. Bioremediation processes involve microbes such as fungi, bacteria, etc. which contribute a crucial role in the breakdown of plastics. Extremophiles secrete extremozymes that are functionally active in extreme conditions and are highly crucial for polymer disaggregation in those conditions.