Microbial biodegradation of plastics in soil: From ecological plastisphere dynamics to advanced bio-upcycling strategies

Abstract

Plastic pollution, a defining symptom of our planet’s unsustainable linear “take-make-dispose” economy, presents a critical challenge to ecosystem health and sustainable development. Terrestrial ecosystems, particularly soils, have become the primary sink for microplastic contamination, where these pollutants form novel “Soil Plastisphere” habitats that disrupt essential biogeochemical cycles and threaten soil integrity. This cross-disciplinary, synthetic review assesses the potential of microbial biodegradation as a key biotechnological tool for sustainable plastic waste management and the development of a circular economy. We first evaluate the variable impacts of the plastisphere on soil health, providing a crucial baseline for understanding the ecological risks and informing sustainability policies. We then examine the core biochemical pathways of plastic degradation, highlighting the remarkable diversity of novel catalysts—such as thermophilic PETases, cutinases and the crucial extracellular oxidoreductases secreted by fungi to initiate the breakdown of recalcitrant polymers—discovered through metagenomics. Finally, we survey the frontier of biotechnology, reviewing advanced strategies that move beyond simple degradation, such as the rational engineering of hyper-efficient enzymes, the development of reusable whole-cell biocatalysts, and the “upcycling” of plastic waste into valuable bioproducts—including polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB). Despite these advances, critical knowledge gaps remain, particularly regarding the enzymatic cleavage of highly recalcitrant polyolefins and the translation of laboratory-scale successes to complex field conditions; overcoming these bottlenecks will be essential for developing robust, biologically-based solutions within a circular materials economy.

Graphical abstract

Keywords

plastic biodegradation / soil plastisphere / enzyme engineering / metagenomics / bioremediation / upcycling / whole-cell biocatalyst

Highlight

	● Soil plastisphere: a hub for microbes, pollutants, and antibiotic resistance genes.
	● Metagenomics reveals novel thermophilic and archaeal plastic-degrading enzymes.
	● Biochemical pathways enable the complete mineralisation of plastic waste to CO2
	● Advanced engineering creates hyper-efficient enzymes and reusable biocatalysts.
	● Biotechnology enables upcycling of plastic waste into valuable bioproducts.

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