Affiliations 

  • 1 Faculty of Science and Marine Environment, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, Malaysia
  • 2 School of Biological Science, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia; Centre for Chemical Biology, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Bayan Lepas, Penang, Malaysia
  • 3 Center for Nanotechnology and Sustainability, National University of Singapore, 119260, Singapore
  • 4 Institute of Climate Adaptation and Marine Biotechnology, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, Malaysia
  • 5 Faculty of Science and Marine Environment, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, Malaysia; Institute of Climate Adaptation and Marine Biotechnology, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, Malaysia. Electronic address: kesaven@umt.edu.my
J Environ Manage, 2024 Jul 16;366:121777.
PMID: 39018857 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.121777

Abstract

Biodegradable plastics are being the substitute for synthetic plastics and widely been used in order to combat plastic pollution. Yet not all biodegradable plastics are degradable especially when it does not meet its favourable conditions, and also when it comes to aquatic environments. Therefore, this review is intended to highlight the types of various biodegradable plastic synthesized and commercialised and identify the limitations and advantages of these micro-bioplastics or residual bioplastic upon degradation in various aquatic environments. This review paper highlights on biodegradable plastic, degradation of biodegradable plastic in aquatic environments, application of biodegradable plastic, polylactic acid (PLA), Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), Polysaccharide derivatives, Poly (amino acid), polycaprolactone (PCL), polybutylene succinate (PBS), polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBA/T), limitations and advantages of biodegradable plastic degradation in aquatic environment. There is no limit on the period for literature search as this field is continuously being studied and there is no wide range of studies. Biodegradable plastic that is commercially available has its own advantages and limitations respectively upon degradation in both freshwater and marine environments. There is a growing demand for bioplastic as an alternative to synthetic plastic which causes plastic waste pollution. Thus, it is crucial to understand the biodegradation of biodegradable plastic in depth especially in aquatic environments. Moreover, there are also very few studies investigating the degradation and migration of micro-bioplastics in aquatic environments.

* Title and MeSH Headings from MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.