The plastic-degrading capabilities of Pseudomonas aeruginosa

The global accumulation of synthetic and bio-based plastics has intensified the demand for effective and sustainable degradation strategies. This study explores the plastic-degrading potential of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, focusing on its degrading enzymes, biofilm formation, and biosurfactant production. The study highlights the limited degradability of C–C backbone plastics such as polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), and polystyrene (PS), in contrast to ester-containing polymers like PET, PU, and bio-based plastics (PLA, PCL, PHA), which exhibit greater microbial susceptibility. While P. aeruginosa demonstrates only partial surface modification of recalcitrant plastics, it achieves substantial degradation of bio-based plastics such as PCL. Genomic profiling using PlasticsDB and PAZy databases reveals homologs of plastic-active enzymes, including esterases and depolymerases, with potential roles in polyester degradation. Furthermore, the integration of chemical pretreatment methods, such as pyrolysis of PE into metabolizable alkanes, combined with microbial conversion into polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), underscores the importance of hybrid chemo-biotechnological approaches. Despite biosafety concerns, P. aeruginosa emerges as a metabolically versatile and genetically tractable candidate for precision-engineered bioremediation. This work positions P. aeruginosa not as a standalone solution, but as a modular component within broader strategies for next-generation plastic waste valorization and upcycling.