Advances in Biodegradation and Bioconversion of Plastics

Terrestrial and aquatic accumulation of plastics is an increasingly serious environmental problem. Among different degradation processes, biodegradation is proving to be the preferred route because it is safer and economical. However, there are difficulties to be tackled. Plastics, due to their structure, are difficult to degrade, and continuous efforts are being devoted to their pre-treatment for the degradation stage. The degradation itself requires robust, stable, and efficient microbes and enzymes. Conversion to value-added products of the plastics degradation (monomers, dimers, oligomers, and Co2) is a focus of attention. This approach, transforming waste to consumer products is both environmentally desirable and economically advantageous.

We aim to address the degradation problem related to the plastics. Each of the currently applied non-biological approaches for the degradation suffer from inadequacies including high energy cost,
release of toxic molecules and particles into the environment, and safety issues. Our approach benefits from utilisation of biological systems for biodegradation and bioconversion of plastics. This
is a fast-growing research area with great potential for industrial application.

Research and review articles in the following areas will be considered:

1- Novel bioprocess (including biorefineries) and bioreactor designs
2- Biological recycling/biodegradation of plastic types: PET, PP, PE, PS, PU, PHAs, PLA, PBS
3- Biotreatment of microplastics and nano-plastics (e.g., in wastewater treatment)
4- Quantification of biodegradation of plastics and their additives in artificial systems and in the environment
5- Enzymatic processes including enzyme cocktails
6- Microbial approaches including mixed cultures
7- Purification of polymers using organisms (e.g., worms, insect larvae, etc.)
8- Circularity and bioconversion of CO2 into polymers and other products