Biodegradation of plastic polymers by fungi: a brief review

Abstract Plastic polymers are non-degradable solid wastes that have become a great threat to the whole world and degradation of these plastics would take few decades. Compared with other processes, biodegradation process is most effective best way for plastic due its non-polluting mechanism, eco-friendly nature, cost-effectiveness. Biodegradation synthetic very slow also involves environmental factors action wild microbial species. In this biodegradation, fungi play pivotal role, it acts on by secreting some degrading enzymes, i.e., cutinase`, lipase, proteases, lignocellulolytic presence pro-oxidant ions can cause degradation. The oxidation or hydrolysis enzyme creates functional groups improve hydrophilicity polymers, consequently degrade high molecular weight polymer into low weight. This leads within days. Some well-known species which show Aspergillus nidulans, flavus, glaucus, oryzae, nomius, Penicillium griseofulvum, Bjerkandera adusta, Phanerochaete chrysosporium, Cladosporium cladosporioides, etc., saprotrophic fungi, such as Pleurotus abalones, ostreatus, Agaricus bisporus eryngii helps in growing them. studies say was more when photodegradation thermo-oxidative mechanisms involved simultaneously make faster easier. present review gives current knowledge regarding different their enzymatic forms polymers.