title: Biodegradation of bioplastics in natural environments.
abstract: The extensive production of conventional plastics and their use in different commercial applications poses a significant threat to both the fossil fuels sources and the environment. Alternatives called bioplastics evolved during development of renewable resources. Utilizing renewable resources like agricultural wastes (instead of petroleum sources) and their biodegradability in different environments enabled these polymers to be more easily acceptable than the conventional plastics. The biodegradability of bioplastics is highly affected by their physical and chemical structure. On the other hand, the environment in which they are located, plays a crucial role in their biodegradation. This review highlights the recent findings attributed to the biodegradation of bioplastics in various environments, environmental conditions, degree of biodegradation, including the identified bioplastic-degrading microorganisms from different microbial communities.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Environmental Sciences, Boğazici University, Bebek, Istanbul 34342, Turkey.
authors.forename: S Mehdi
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Emadian
authors.affiliation: Institute of Environmental Sciences, Boğazici University, Bebek, Istanbul 34342, Turkey. Electronic address: onayturg@boun.edu.tr.
authors.forename: Turgut T
authors.initials: TT
authors.lastname: Onay
authors.affiliation: Institute of Environmental Sciences, Boğazici University, Bebek, Istanbul 34342, Turkey.
authors.forename: Burak
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Demirel
mesh_terms: D001419:Bacteria; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D002384:Catalysis; D005658:Fungi; D008422:Materials Testing; D010969:Plastics / Q000737:chemistry*; D059027:Recycling / Q000379:methods; D012987:Soil; D013718:Tensile Strength; D014871:Water Microbiology
chemical_list: D010969:Plastics; D012987:Soil
keywords: Biocomposite; Biodegradation; Bioplastics; Microbial activity