Published March 14, 2026 | Version v1
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Microbial and Enzymatic Degradation of Polylactic Acid (PLA) and Related Polyesters: Molecular Mechanisms, Marine Environmental Dynamics, and Biotechnological Innovations

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Polylactic acid (PLA) is one of the most commercially used biodegradable polymers produced from renewable biomass sources. Even though PLA can be composted under controlled industrial conditions. Still, it persists in marine and natural environments, continues to cause environmental concern. This review examines the microbial and enzymatic pathways responsible for the degradation of PLA and related polyester, focusing on the structural biology of polyester hydrolases, thermophilic depolymerases, marine microbial ecology, degradation kinetics, and strategies in recombinant enzyme development. Advanced analytical techniques, metagenomic screening platforms, and protein engineering approaches are examined to bridge laboratory insights with real-world biodegradation outcomes. The review synthesizes findings from over fifteen peer‑reviewed sources and identifies future directions for sustainable polymer management.

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Microbial and Enzymatic Degradation of Polylactic Acid (PLA) and Related Polyesters Molecular Mechanisms, Marine Environmental Dynamics, and Biotechnological Innovations.pdf

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2026-03-14
Current figures place with annual plastic production now reaching 390 million metric tons, the world faces a mounting crisis of over 6.3-billion-ton mark [Geyer et al.,2017]. Biodegradable polymers like PLA have been developed as sustainable alternatives due to their renewable sources and compostability nature [Auras et al., 2010]. Even though, it is biodegradable in nature, degradation efficiency is highly environment-dependent and it varies substantially in response to shifting environmental factors. While industrial composting uses high temperature to trigger rapid hydrolysis, thus resulting in slow degradation due to the cold and a scarcity of useful microbes. [Tokiwa & Calabia, 2006].

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