The Potential Role of Marine Fungi in Plastic Degradation – A Review

Plastic debris has been accumulating in the marine realm since start of plastic mass production 1950s. Due to adverse effects on ocean life, fate plastics environment is an increasingly important environmental issue. Microbial degradation, addition weathering, identified as a potentially relevant breakdown route for debris. Although many studies have focused microbial colonization and potential role microorganisms breaking down debris, little known about fungi-plastic interactions. Marine fungi are generally understudied group but ability terrestrial lacustrine fungal taxa metabolize recalcitrant compounds, pollutants, some types (e.g., lignin, solvents, pesticides, polyaromatic hydrocarbons, polyurethane, polyethylene) indicates that could be degraders complex organic matter realm, too. Indeed, recent demonstrated strains from ocean, such Zalerion maritimum degrade polyethylene. This mini-review summarizes available information plastic-fungi interactions environments. We address (i) currently diversity colonizing provide (ii) overview methods applied investigate highlighting their advantages drawbacks. also highlight (iii) underestimated habitats.