A Review on Biodegradation of Bioplastics in Different Environmental Conditions

Abstract

The non-biodegradable plastic waste accounts for the major portion of landfill solid waste leading a threat to both fossil fuels and the environment. As biodegradable nature bioplastics are a good replacement for conventional plastics. The global market for biopolymers and bioplastics is expanding rapidly as they make a significant contribution in reduction of environmental pollution. Bioplastics are completely decomposed into natural compounds by fungi, algae, and bacteria in a very short time under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. Bioplastics are categorized into three types namely, biodegradable, and biobased bioplastics (e.g., PLA, PHA, PGLA), nonbiodegradable and biobased bioplastics (e.g. Bio PE, Bio PET), and biodegradable and petroleum-based bioplastics (e.g. PCL, PBS, PBSA). Fungal degradation of bioplastics depends upon several physical, microbiological, and characteristic features of the polymer. The fungal strain-mediated biodegradation of bioplastics leads to the release of natural inorganic and inorganic compounds that do not negatively impact microbial diversity, nutrient cycle, and nitrogen content in the soil. This review highlights the impact of bioplastics on environmental sustainability and role of fungal biodegradation of bioplastics. The information provided in this review will help in development of more efficient strains of fungal as well as in research and development of bioplastic.