*3.2.2 Fungi*

Fungi can also result in biotic degradation of plastics. For example, *Aspergillus clavatus* has been shown to biodegrade LDPE [82]. Oceans' predominant fungal

species *Zalerion maritimum* can degrade PE [83]. Similar to bacteria, the main mechanism of plastic degradation by fungi involves the adherence of the fungi to the plastic surface, where they grow to form a biofilm and produce enzymes to break down the chemical bonds present in the plastic. These enzymes can catalyze oxidationreduction reactions and break down plastic into smaller fragments (e.g., oligomers, dimers, and monomers). For example, manganese peroxidase, lignin peroxidase, and laccase are produced by fungi present in marine habitats, such as *Penicillium citrinum* (degrades PET), *Fusarium oxysporum* (degrades PET), and *Trichoderma harzianum* (degrades PE and PU) [83].
