Eco-friendly cleanup: the power of nano-bioremediation in microplastic management

Abstract

Microplastic (MP) pollution has emerged as a defining environmental challenge of the 21st century, threatening ecosystems, food security, and human health at an unprecedented scale. Conventional remediation methods—such as filtration, coagulation, and advanced oxidation—remain inefficient, energy-intensive, and incapable of addressing nanoscale fragments or preventing secondary contamination. This review provides a comprehensive and forward-looking synthesis of nanoparticle-assistedbioremediation, an emerging paradigm that integrates microbial enzymatic degradation with engineered and green-synthesized nanomaterials to achieve sustainable plastic depolymerization. We critically examine how magnetic nanoparticles enable rapid adsorption and recovery, how photocatalytic metal oxides (TiO2, ZnO, Fe2O3, CeO2) and plasmonic hybrids generate reactive oxygen species to oxidatively cleave polymer chains, and how nano–bio hybrid systems stabilize enzymes, enhance substrate accessibility, and accelerate mineralization into CO2, H2O, and biomass. Special emphasis is placed on green-synthesized nanoparticles derived from plants and microbes, which offer enhanced environmental compatibility and catalytic efficiency. The review also evaluates the mechanistic underpinnings, kinetic parameters, and techno-economic feasibility of these systems, identifying critical challenges related to nanoparticle aggregation, enzyme instability, and ecological safety. By uniting insights from nanotechnology, microbiology, and environmental engineering, this work delineates a strategic roadmap toward biodegradable, multifunctional nanomaterials and biofilm-enhanced hybrid reactors capable of large-scale deployment. Nano-bioremediation represents not merely an incremental advance but a transformative step toward a circular, low-carbon bioeconomy, offering a realistic and scalable pathway to mitigate global microplastic pollution and restore environmental integrity.