Current Approaches to Microplastics Detection and Plastic Biodegradation
Paula Przygoda-Kuś, Katarzyna E. Kosiorowska, Aneta K. Urbanek, Aleksandra M. Mirończuk
Abstract
Environmental concerns about the widespread use of non-biodegradable plastic have generated interest in developing quick and effective methods to degrade synthetic polymers. With millions of tons of plastic waste generated annually, biodegradation by microorganisms presents a promising and eco-friendly solution. However, a bottleneck has arisen due to the lack of standardized methods for verification of the biodegradation process. Based on this literature review, he techniques most commonly employed for this purpose currently include measuring mass loss, examining the surface of plastic fragments by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM), and using analytical methods such as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), pyrolysis-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (Pyr-GC/MS) or high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Each of these methods has its advantages and disadvantages. Nevertheless, currently, there is no universal approach to accurately assess the ability of individual microorganisms to degrade plastics. In this review, we summarize the latest advances in techniques for detecting biodegradation of synthetic polymers and future directions in the development of sustainable strategies for mitigating plastic pollution.