Microbial and Enzymatic Degradation of Nylon: Mechanisms, Diversity, and Biotechnological Application

Nylon is one of the earliest widely used synthetic polymers based on high crystalline and wear resistance, which make it extensive applications in the automobile, clothing, and consumable industries. The inherent chemical and structural stability of Nylon renders highly recalcitrant to biological degradation, contributing to its accumulation in diverse environments. Nylon biodegradation has therefore attracted considerable attention as a potential route to mitigate environmental persistence and support sustainable recycling and upcycling strategies. This review offers a compendium of Nylon biodegradation, highlights the limitations of current research, and proposes a biochemistry-informed framework that links microbial and enzymatic mechanisms with recycling/upcycling strategies. We highlight five key elements, microbial diversity, enzymatic strategies, Nylon upcycling, future challenges, and biochemistry-informed approaches for Nylon biodegradation. We emphasize the necessity for molecular-level perspective into the relationship between Nylon and Nylon-degrading enzymes. Introducing a molecular perspective into Nylon biodegradation makes the field construct a sustainable Nylon recycling system beyond indirect Nylon-degrading indicators. Also, it enables the rational design of efficient and sustainable Nylon recycling systems. By adopting and constructing system-level framework, this review aims to guide performance enhancement and scalability in further Nylon biodegradation research.