Biodegradation of plastics: mining of plastic-degrading microorganisms and enzymes using metagenomics approaches

Plastic pollution exacerbated by the excessive use of synthetic plastics and its recalcitrance has been recognized among the most pressing global threats. Microbial degradation of plastics has gained attention as a possible eco-friendly countermeasure, as several studies have shown microbial metabolic capabilities as potential degraders of various synthetic plastics. However, still defined biochemical mechanisms of biodegradation for the most plastics remain elusive, because the widely used culture-dependent approach can access only a very limited amount of the metabolic potential in each microbiome. A culture-independent approach, including metagenomics, is becoming increasingly important in the mining of novel plastic-degrading enzymes, considering its more expanded coverage on the microbial metabolism in microbiomes. Here, we described the advantages and drawbacks associated with four different metagenomics approaches (microbial community analysis, functional metagenomics, targeted gene sequencing, and whole metagenome sequencing) for the mining of plastic-degrading microorganisms and enzymes from the plastisphere. Among these approaches, whole metagenome sequencing has been recognized among the most powerful tools that allow researchers access to the entire metabolic potential of a microbiome. Accordingly, we suggest strategies that will help to identify plastisphere-enriched sequences as de novo plastic-degrading enzymes using the whole metagenome sequencing approach. We anticipate that new strategies for metagenomics approaches will continue to be developed and facilitate to identify novel plastic-degrading microorganisms and enzymes from microbiomes.

Automated summary

Plastic pollution caused by excessive use and the difficulty of degradation is recognized as a major global threat. Microbial degradation of plastics has gained attention as an eco-friendly solution, but the biochemical mechanisms of biodegradation are not fully understood. This study explores the advantages and limitations of using metagenomics approaches to identify plastic-degrading microorganisms and enzymes. Whole metagenome sequencing is identified as a powerful tool for accessing the full metabolic potential of a microbiome. New strategies and techniques are expected to continue facilitating the identification of novel plastic-degrading microorganisms and enzymes.