Microplastics (MPs), defined as plastic particles ranging in size from 0.1 μm to 5 mm, have gained significant scientific attention worldwide due to their widespread occurrence and potential risks for human health and the environment. MPs can accumulate in water and soil, affecting organisms across multiple trophic levels and negatively impacting agricultural productivity and animal husbandry. Agricultural practices, such as plastic mulching, compost, and sewage sludge application, contribute to environmental plastic contamination, while irrigation and wastewater reuse facilitate their transport and deposition across ecosystems. Given the limited efficiency and high costs of physicochemical remediation methods, microbial biodegradation has attracted growing attention as a potentially sustainable strategy. This review focuses primarily on the metabolic potential of bacteria and fungi and the mechanisms underlying MP degradation. In the context of environmental safety, such studies are of particular importance. Under optimal laboratory conditions, reported microbial degradation efficiencies varied with microplastic type, microbial strain(s), and experimental conditions, ranging from 4% to >97%. Moreover, the literature review identifies key barriers to practical application, including environmental variability and the limited transferability of laboratory findings to field settings. Future research should therefore prioritize testable, application-oriented approaches. Addressing these gaps is essential to developing effective microbial degradation strategies for mitigating microplastic pollution.
Piekarz et al. (Thu,) studied this question.