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Kim Y, Choe S, Cho Y, Moon H, Shin H, Seo J, Myung J. Biodegradation of poly(butylene adipate terephthalate) and poly(vinyl alcohol) within aquatic pathway. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 953:176129. [PMID: 39255933 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.176129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2024] [Revised: 08/19/2024] [Accepted: 09/06/2024] [Indexed: 09/12/2024]
Abstract
Understanding the environmental fate of biodegradable plastics in aquatic systems is crucial, given the alarming amount of plastic waste and microplastic particles transported through aquatic pathways. In particular, there is a need to analyze the biodegradation of commercialized biodegradable plastics upon release from wastewater treatment plants into natural aquatic systems. This study investigates the biodegradation behaviors of poly(butylene adipate terephthalate) (PBAT) and poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) in wastewater, freshwater, and seawater. Biodegradation of PBAT and PVA assessed through biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) experiments and microcosm tests revealed that the type of aquatic system governs the biodegradation behaviors of each plastic, with the highest biodegradation rate achieved in wastewater for both PBAT and PVA (25.6 and 32.2 % in 30 d, respectively). Plastic release pathway from wastewater into other aquatic systems simulated by sequential incubation in different microcosms suggested that PBAT exposed to wastewater and freshwater before reaching seawater was more prone to degradation than when directly exposed to seawater. On the other hand, PVA displayed comparable biodegradation rate regardless of whether it was directly exposed to seawater or had passed through other environments beforehand. Metagenome amplicon sequencing of 16S rRNA genes revealed distinct community shifts dependent on the type of plastics in changing environments along the simulated aquatic pathway. Several bacterial species putatively implicated in the biodegradation of PBAT and PVA are discussed. Our findings underscore the significant influence of pollution routes on the biodegradation of PBAT and PVA, highlighting the potential for wastewater treatment to facilitate rapid degradation compared to direct exposure to pristine aquatic environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youngju Kim
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, KAIST, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Shinhyeong Choe
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, KAIST, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Yongjun Cho
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, KAIST, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Hoseong Moon
- Graduate School of Green Growth and Sustainability, KAIST, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Hojun Shin
- Department of Packaging and Logistics, Yonsei University, Wonju 26493, Republic of Korea
| | - Jongchul Seo
- Department of Packaging and Logistics, Yonsei University, Wonju 26493, Republic of Korea
| | - Jaewook Myung
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, KAIST, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea; Graduate School of Green Growth and Sustainability, KAIST, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea.
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Zheng M, Li Y, Dong W, Zhang Q, Wang W. Regioselective enzymatic depolymerization of aromatic-aliphatic polyester revealed by computational modelling. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 474:134797. [PMID: 38865921 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.134797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2024] [Revised: 05/25/2024] [Accepted: 06/01/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024]
Abstract
Poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) is widely utilized in the production of food packaging and mulch films. Its extensive application has contributed significantly to global solid waste, posing numerous environmental challenges. Recently, enzymatic recycling has emerged as a promising eco-friendly solution for the management of plastic waste. Here, we systematically investigate the depolymerization mechanism of PBAT catalyzed by cutinase TfCutSI with molecular docking, molecular dynamics simulations, and quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics calculations. Although the binding affinities for acid ester and terephthalic acid ester bonds are similar, a regioselective depolymerization mechanism and a "chain-length" effect on regioselectivity were proposed and evidenced. The regioselectivity is highly associated with specific structural parameters, namely Substrate@O4-Met@H7 and Substrate@C1-Ser@O1 distances. Notably, the binding mode of BTa captured by X-ray crystallography does not facilitate subsequent depolymerization. Instead, a previously unanticipated binding mode, predicted through computational analysis, is confirmed to play a crucial role in BTa depolymerization. This finding proves the critical role of computational modelling in refining experimental results. Furthermore, our results revealed that both the hydrogen bond network and enzyme's intrinsic electric field are instrumental in the formation of the final product. In summary, these novel molecular insights into the PBAT depolymerization mechanism offer a fundamental basis for enzyme engineering to enhance industrial plastic recycling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingna Zheng
- Environment Research Institute, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, PR China
| | - Yanwei Li
- Environment Research Institute, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, PR China.
| | - Weiliang Dong
- College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 211800, PR China
| | - Qingzhu Zhang
- Environment Research Institute, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, PR China
| | - Wenxing Wang
- Environment Research Institute, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, PR China
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3
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Fernandes M, Salvador AF, Vicente AA. Biodegradation of PHB/PBAT films and isolation of novel PBAT biodegraders from soil microbiomes. CHEMOSPHERE 2024; 362:142696. [PMID: 38925517 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.142696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2023] [Revised: 06/04/2024] [Accepted: 06/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are important candidates for replacing petroleum-based plastics. This transition is urgent for the development of a biobased economy and to protect human health and natural ecosystems. PHAs are biobased and biodegradable polyesters that when blended with other polymers, such as poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT), acquire remarkable improvements in their properties, which allow them to comply with the requirements of packaging applications. However, the biodegradation of such blends should be tested to evaluate the impact of those polymers in the environment. For instance, PBAT is a compostable aliphatic-aromatic copolyester, and its biodegradation in natural environments, such as soil, is poorly studied. In this work, we evaluated the biodegradation of a bilayer film composed of PHB and PBAT, by a soil microbiome. The bilayer film reached 47 ± 1 % mineralization in 180 days and PHB was no longer detected after this period. The increased crystallinity of the PBAT residue was a clear sign of biodegradation, indicating that the amorphous regions were preferentially biodegraded. Seven microorganisms were isolated, from which 4 were closely related to microorganisms already known as PHB degraders, but the other 3 species, closely related to Streptomyces coelicoflavus, Clonostachys rosea and Aspergillus insuetus, were found for the first time as PHB degraders. Most remarkably, two fungi closely related to Purpureocillium lilacinum and Aspergillus pseudodeflectus (99.83 % and 100 % identity by ITS sequencing) were isolated and identified as PBAT degraders. This is very interesting due to the rarity of isolating PBAT-degrading microorganisms. These results show that the bilayer film can be biodegraded in soil, at mesophilic temperatures, showing its potential to replace synthetic plastics in food packaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel Fernandes
- Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal; LABBELS - Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal.
| | - Andreia F Salvador
- Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal; LABBELS - Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal.
| | - António A Vicente
- Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal; LABBELS - Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal.
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4
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Salam LB. Metagenomic investigations into the microbial consortia, degradation pathways, and enzyme systems involved in the biodegradation of plastics in a tropical lentic pond sediment. World J Microbiol Biotechnol 2024; 40:172. [PMID: 38630153 DOI: 10.1007/s11274-024-03972-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2024] [Accepted: 03/29/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024]
Abstract
The exploitation of exciting features of plastics for diverse applications has resulted in significant plastic waste generation, which negatively impacts environmental compartments, metabolic processes, and the well-being of aquatic ecosystems biota. A shotgun metagenomic approach was deployed to investigate the microbial consortia, degradation pathways, and enzyme systems involved in the degradation of plastics in a tropical lentic pond sediment (APS). Functional annotation of the APS proteome (ORFs) using the PlasticDB database revealed annotation of 1015 proteins of enzymes such as depolymerase, esterase, lipase, hydrolase, nitrobenzylesterase, chitinase, carboxylesterase, polyesterase, oxidoreductase, polyamidase, PETase, MHETase, laccase, alkane monooxygenase, among others involved in the depolymerization of the plastic polymers. It also revealed that polyethylene glycol (PEG), polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB), polylactic acid (PLA), polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and nylon have the highest number of annotated enzymes. Further annotation using the KEGG GhostKOALA revealed that except for terephthalate, all the other degradation products of the plastic polymers depolymerization such as glyoxylate, adipate, succinate, 1,4-butanediol, ethylene glycol, lactate, and acetaldehyde were further metabolized to intermediates of the tricarboxylic acid cycle. Taxonomic characterization of the annotated proteins using the AAI Profiler and BLASTP revealed that Pseudomonadota members dominate most plastic types, followed by Actinomycetota and Acidobacteriota. The study reveals novel plastic degraders from diverse phyla hitherto not reported to be involved in plastic degradation. This suggests that plastic pollution in aquatic environments is prevalent with well-adapted degrading communities and could be the silver lining in mitigating the impacts of plastic pollution in aquatic environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lateef B Salam
- Microbiology Unit, Department of Biological Sciences, Elizade University, Ilara-Mokin, Ondo State, Nigeria.
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5
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Shi C, Quinn EC, Diment WT, Chen EYX. Recyclable and (Bio)degradable Polyesters in a Circular Plastics Economy. Chem Rev 2024; 124:4393-4478. [PMID: 38518259 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.3c00848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/24/2024]
Abstract
Polyesters carrying polar main-chain ester linkages exhibit distinct material properties for diverse applications and thus play an important role in today's plastics economy. It is anticipated that they will play an even greater role in tomorrow's circular plastics economy that focuses on sustainability, thanks to the abundant availability of their biosourced building blocks and the presence of the main-chain ester bonds that can be chemically or biologically cleaved on demand by multiple methods and thus bring about more desired end-of-life plastic waste management options. Because of this potential and promise, there have been intense research activities directed at addressing recycling, upcycling or biodegradation of existing legacy polyesters, designing their biorenewable alternatives, and redesigning future polyesters with intrinsic chemical recyclability and tailored performance that can rival today's commodity plastics that are either petroleum based and/or hard to recycle. This review captures these exciting recent developments and outlines future challenges and opportunities. Case studies on the legacy polyesters, poly(lactic acid), poly(3-hydroxyalkanoate)s, poly(ethylene terephthalate), poly(butylene succinate), and poly(butylene-adipate terephthalate), are presented, and emerging chemically recyclable polyesters are comprehensively reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Changxia Shi
- Department of Chemistry, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523, United States
| | - Ethan C Quinn
- Department of Chemistry, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523, United States
| | - Wilfred T Diment
- Department of Chemistry, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523, United States
| | - Eugene Y-X Chen
- Department of Chemistry, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523, United States
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Pan H, Yu T, Zheng Y, Ma H, Shan J, Yi X, Liu Y, Zhan J, Wang W, Zhou H. Isolation, characteristics, and poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) degradation mechanism of a marine bacteria Roseibium aggregatum ZY-1. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2024; 201:116261. [PMID: 38537567 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2023] [Revised: 03/11/2024] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/07/2024]
Abstract
Marine microorganisms have been reported to degrade microplastics. However, the degradation mechanisms are still poorly understood. In this study, a bacterium Roseibium aggregatum ZY-1 was isolated from seawater, which can degrade poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT). The PBAT-PLA(polylactic acid, PLA) films, before and after degradation, were characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FTIR), the weight loss rate and water contact angle were measured. The results indicate that ZY-1 colonized on PBAT-PLA film, changed the functional groups and decreased water contact angle of PBAT-PLA film. Moreover, liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MS) analysis reveales that PBAT was degraded into its oligomers (TB, BTB) and monomers (T, A) during 10 days, and adipic acid (A) could be used as a sole carbon source. The whole genome sequencing analyses illustrate the mechanisms and enzymes such as PETase, carboxylesterases, arylesterase (PpEst) and genes like pobA, pcaBCDFGHIJKT, dcaAEIJK, paaGHJ involved in PBAT degradation. Therefore, the R. aggregatum ZY-1 will be a promising candidate of PBAT degradation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haixia Pan
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Ecology and Environmental Engineering (Ministry of Education), School of Ocean Science and Technology, Panjin Campus, Dalian University of Technology, Panjin, China
| | - Tianyi Yu
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Ecology and Environmental Engineering (Ministry of Education), School of Ocean Science and Technology, Panjin Campus, Dalian University of Technology, Panjin, China
| | - Yuan Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Ecology and Environmental Engineering (Ministry of Education), School of Ocean Science and Technology, Panjin Campus, Dalian University of Technology, Panjin, China
| | - Huiqing Ma
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Ecology and Environmental Engineering (Ministry of Education), School of Ocean Science and Technology, Panjin Campus, Dalian University of Technology, Panjin, China
| | - Jiajia Shan
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Ecology and Environmental Engineering (Ministry of Education), School of Ocean Science and Technology, Panjin Campus, Dalian University of Technology, Panjin, China
| | - Xianliang Yi
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Ecology and Environmental Engineering (Ministry of Education), School of Ocean Science and Technology, Panjin Campus, Dalian University of Technology, Panjin, China
| | - Yang Liu
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Ecology and Environmental Engineering (Ministry of Education), School of Ocean Science and Technology, Panjin Campus, Dalian University of Technology, Panjin, China
| | - Jingjing Zhan
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Ecology and Environmental Engineering (Ministry of Education), School of Ocean Science and Technology, Panjin Campus, Dalian University of Technology, Panjin, China
| | - Wenyuan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Coastal and Offshore Engineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, China.
| | - Hao Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Ecology and Environmental Engineering (Ministry of Education), School of Ocean Science and Technology, Panjin Campus, Dalian University of Technology, Panjin, China.
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7
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Ko Y, Yang Y, Kim D, Lee YH, Ghatge S, Hur HG. Fungal biodegradation of poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate)-polylactic acid-thermoplastic starch based commercial bio-plastic film at ambient conditions. CHEMOSPHERE 2024; 353:141554. [PMID: 38430940 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.141554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2023] [Revised: 02/23/2024] [Accepted: 02/24/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
Microbial biodegradation of commercially available poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate)-polylactic acid-thermoplastic starch based bio-plastic has been pursued at high temperatures exceeding 55 °C. Herein, we first reported three newly isolated fungal strains from farmland soil samples of Republic of Korea namely, Pyrenochaetopsis sp. strain K2, Staphylotrichum sp. S2-1, and Humicola sp. strain S2-3 were capable of degrading a commercial bio-plastic film with degradation rates of 9.5, 8.6, and 12.2%, respectively after 3 months incubation at ambient conditions. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analyses showed that bio-plastic film was extensively fragmented with severe cracking on the surface structure after incubation with isolated fungal strains. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis also revealed that high crystallinity of the commercial bio-plastic film was significantly decreased after degradation by fungal strains. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) analyses of the fungal culture supernatants containing the bio-plastic film showed the peaks for adipic acid, terephthalic acid (TPA), and terephthalate-butylene (TB) as major metabolites, suggesting cleavage of ester bonds and accumulation of TPA. Furthermore, a consortium of fungal strain K2 with TPA degrading bacterium Pigmentiphaga sp. strain P3-2 isolated from the same sampling site exhibited faster degradation rate of the bio-plastic film within 1 month of incubation with achieving complete biodegradation of accumulated TPA. We assume that the extracellular lipase activity presented in the fungal cultures could hydrolyze the ester bonds of PBAT component of bio-plastic film. Taken together, the fungal and bacterial consortium investigated herein could be beneficial for efficient biodegradation of the commercial bio-plastic film at ambient conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongseok Ko
- School of Earth Sciences and Environmental Engineering, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST), Gwangju 61005, Republic of Korea
| | - Youri Yang
- Department of Biological Environment, Kangwon National University, 1 Kangwondaehak-gil, Chuncheon, Gangwon State, 24341, Republic of Korea
| | - Dockyu Kim
- Division of Life Sciences, Korea Polar Research Institute, Incheon, 21990, Republic of Korea
| | - Yong Hwan Lee
- GREEN-BIO Co., Ltd, 201, Venture Support Center, 333, Gwangju 61005, Republic of Korea
| | - Sunil Ghatge
- School of Earth Sciences and Environmental Engineering, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST), Gwangju 61005, Republic of Korea; GREEN-BIO Co., Ltd, 201, Venture Support Center, 333, Gwangju 61005, Republic of Korea.
| | - Hor-Gil Hur
- School of Earth Sciences and Environmental Engineering, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST), Gwangju 61005, Republic of Korea.
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Chen X, Yue Y, Wang Z, Sun J, Dong S. Co-existing inorganic anions influenced the Norrish I and Norrish II type photoaging mechanism of biodegradable microplastics. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 925:171756. [PMID: 38494013 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.171756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2024] [Revised: 03/06/2024] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024]
Abstract
The degradation of biodegradable plastics (BPs) in natural environments is constrained, and the mechanisms underlying their photoaging in aquatic settings remain inadequately understood. In view of this, this study systematically investigated the photoaging process of biodegradable Poly (butyleneadipate-co-terephthalate) microplastics (PBAT-MPs), which are more widely used. The investigation was carried out in the presence of common inorganic anions (Br-, Cl- and NO3-). The results of EPR, FTIR and FESEM tests, along with pseudo-first-order kinetics analyses, showed that the presence of NO3- promoted the photoaging of PBAT-MPs, while the presence of Br- and Cl- inhibited the photoaging of PBAT-MPs. In addition, the results of the Two-Dimensional Correlation Spectroscopy (2D-COS) analysis determined the order of the changes in the functional groups, revealing that the Norrish I and Norrish II reaction mechanisms are presented by PBAT-MPs during the aging process, and the process is closely related to the ion concentration and UV irradiation time. This study provides valuable insights for understanding the phototransformation process of BPs in natural aqueous environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xi Chen
- School of Environment, Henan Normal University, Key Laboratory for Yellow River and Huai River Water Environmental and Pollution Control, Ministry of Education, Henan Key Laboratory for Environmental Pollution Control, Xinxiang, Henan 453007, PR China
| | - Yiying Yue
- School of Environment, Henan Normal University, Key Laboratory for Yellow River and Huai River Water Environmental and Pollution Control, Ministry of Education, Henan Key Laboratory for Environmental Pollution Control, Xinxiang, Henan 453007, PR China
| | - Zihan Wang
- School of Environment, Henan Normal University, Key Laboratory for Yellow River and Huai River Water Environmental and Pollution Control, Ministry of Education, Henan Key Laboratory for Environmental Pollution Control, Xinxiang, Henan 453007, PR China
| | - Jianhui Sun
- School of Environment, Henan Normal University, Key Laboratory for Yellow River and Huai River Water Environmental and Pollution Control, Ministry of Education, Henan Key Laboratory for Environmental Pollution Control, Xinxiang, Henan 453007, PR China.
| | - Shuying Dong
- School of Environment, Henan Normal University, Key Laboratory for Yellow River and Huai River Water Environmental and Pollution Control, Ministry of Education, Henan Key Laboratory for Environmental Pollution Control, Xinxiang, Henan 453007, PR China.
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9
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Yang Y, Cheng S, Zheng Y, Xue T, Huang JW, Zhang L, Yang Y, Guo RT, Chen CC. Remodeling the polymer-binding cavity to improve the efficacy of PBAT-degrading enzyme. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 464:132965. [PMID: 37979420 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.132965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2023] [Revised: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 11/20/2023]
Abstract
Poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) is among the most widely applied synthetic polyesters that are utilized in the packaging and agricultural industries, but the accumulation of PBAT wastes has posed a great burden to ecosystems. Using renewable enzymes to decompose PBAT is an eco-friendly solution to tackle this problem. Recently, we demonstrated that cutinase is the most effective PBAT-degrading enzyme and that an engineered cutinase termed TfCut-DM could completely decompose PBAT film to terephthalate (TPA). Here, we report crystal structures of a variant of leaf compost cutinase in complex with soluble fragments of PBAT, including BTa and TaBTa. In the TaBTa complex, one TPA moiety was located at a polymer-binding site distal to the catalytic center that has never been experimentally validated. Intriguingly, the composition of the distal TPA-binding site shows higher diversity relative to the one proximal to the catalytic center in various cutinases. We thus modified the distal TPA-binding site of TfCut-DM and obtained variants that exhibit higher activity. Notably, the time needed to completely degrade the PBAT film to TPA was shortened to within 24 h by TfCut-DM Q132Y (5813 mol per mol protein). Taken together, the structural information regarding the substrate-binding behavior of PBAT-degrading enzymes could be useful guidance for direct enzyme engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Hubei Collaborative Innovation Center for Green Transformation of Bio-Resources, Hubei Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, 430062 Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Shujing Cheng
- State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Hubei Collaborative Innovation Center for Green Transformation of Bio-Resources, Hubei Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, 430062 Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Yingyu Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Hubei Collaborative Innovation Center for Green Transformation of Bio-Resources, Hubei Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, 430062 Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Ting Xue
- State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Hubei Collaborative Innovation Center for Green Transformation of Bio-Resources, Hubei Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, 430062 Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Jian-Wen Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Hubei Collaborative Innovation Center for Green Transformation of Bio-Resources, Hubei Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, 430062 Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Lilan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Hubei Collaborative Innovation Center for Green Transformation of Bio-Resources, Hubei Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, 430062 Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Yunyun Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Hubei Collaborative Innovation Center for Green Transformation of Bio-Resources, Hubei Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, 430062 Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Rey-Ting Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Hubei Collaborative Innovation Center for Green Transformation of Bio-Resources, Hubei Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, 430062 Wuhan, People's Republic of China; Department of Immunology and Pathogen Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, 311121 Hangzhou, People's Republic of China.
| | - Chun-Chi Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Hubei Collaborative Innovation Center for Green Transformation of Bio-Resources, Hubei Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, 430062 Wuhan, People's Republic of China; Department of Immunology and Pathogen Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, 311121 Hangzhou, People's Republic of China.
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Li X, Wu J, Cheng X, Cai Z, Wang Z, Zhou J. Biodegradable microplastics reduce the effectiveness of biofertilizers by altering rhizospheric microecological functions. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2024; 352:120071. [PMID: 38246103 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.120071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2023] [Revised: 12/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/06/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
The effectiveness of biofertilizers as a cost-effective crop yield enhancer can be compromised by residual soil pollutants. However, the impact of accumulated polyadipate/butylene terephthalate microplastics (PBAT-MPs) from biodegradable mulch films on biofertilizer application and the consequent growth of crop plants remains unclear. Here, the effects of different levels of PBAT-MPs in soil treated with Bacillus amyloliquefaciens biofertilizer were assessed in a four-week potted experiment. PBAT-MPs significantly decreased the growth-promoting effect of the biofertilizer on Brassica chinensis L., resulting in a notable reduction in both above- and belowground biomass (up to 52.91% and 57.53%, respectively), as well as nitrate and crude fiber contents (up to 12.18% and 13.64%, respectively). In the rhizosphere microenvironment, PBAT-MPs increased soil organic carbon by 2.63-fold and organic matter by 2.68-fold, while enhancing sucrase (from 67.55% to 108.89%) and cellulase (from 31.26% to 49.10%) activities. PBAT-MPs also altered the rhizospheric bacterial community composition/diversity, resulting in more complex microbial networks. With regard to microbial function, PBAT-MPs impacted carbon metabolic function by inhibiting the 3-hydroxypropionate/4-hydroxybutyrate fixation pathway and influencing chitin and lignin degradation processes. Overall, the rhizospheric microbial profiles (composition, function, and network interactions) were the main contributors to plant growth inhibition. This study provides a practical case and theoretical basis for rational use of biodegradable mulch films and indicates that the residue of biodegradable films needs pay attention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyang Li
- Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen, 518055, PR China
| | - Jialing Wu
- Ecological Fertilizer Research Institute, Shenzhen Batian Ecological Engineering Co., Ltd., Shenzhen, PR China
| | - Xueyu Cheng
- Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen, 518055, PR China
| | - Zhonghua Cai
- Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen, 518055, PR China
| | - Zongkang Wang
- Ecological Fertilizer Research Institute, Shenzhen Batian Ecological Engineering Co., Ltd., Shenzhen, PR China.
| | - Jin Zhou
- Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen, 518055, PR China.
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11
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Zhou X, Zhou X, Xu Z, Zhang M, Zhu H. Characterization and engineering of plastic-degrading polyesterases jmPE13 and jmPE14 from Pseudomonas bacterium. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2024; 12:1349010. [PMID: 38425995 PMCID: PMC10904013 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2024.1349010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Polyester plastics are widely used in daily life, but also cause a large amount of waste. Degradation by microbial enzymes is the most promising way for the biobased upcycling of the wastes. However, there is still a shortage of high-performance enzymes, and more efficient polyester hydrolases need to be developed. Here we identified two polyester hydrolases, jmPE13 and jmPE14, from a previously isolated strain Pseudomonas sp. JM16B3. The proteins were recombinantly expressed and purified in E. coli, and their enzymatic properties were characterized. JmPE13 and jmPE14 showed hydrolytic activity towards polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and Poly (butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) at medium temperatures. The enzyme activity and stability of jmPE13 were further improved to 3- and 1.5-fold, respectively, by rational design. The results of our research can be helpful for further engineering of more efficient polyester plastic hydrolases and their industrial applications.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Honghui Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiomics and Precision Application (MARA), Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiome (MARA), Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Microbial Culture Collection and Application, State Key Laboratory of Applied Microbiology Southern China, Institute of Microbiology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
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12
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Bansal M, Santhiya D, Sharma JG. Mechanistic understanding on the uptake of micro-nano plastics by plants and its phytoremediation. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2024; 31:8354-8368. [PMID: 38170356 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-31680-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
Contaminated soil is one of today's most difficult environmental issues, posing serious hazards to human health and the environment. Contaminants, particularly micro-nano plastics, have become more prevalent around the world, eventually ending up in the soil. Numerous studies have been conducted to investigate the interactions of micro-nano plastics in plants and agroecosystems. However, viable remediation of micro-nano plastics in soil remains limited. In this review, a powerful in situ soil remediation technology known as phytoremediation is emphasized for addressing micro-nano-plastic contamination in soil and plants. It is based on the synergistic effects of plants and the microorganisms that live in their rhizosphere. As a result, the purpose of this review is to investigate the mechanism of micro-nano plastic (MNP) uptake by plants as well as the limitations of existing MNP removal methods. Different phytoremediation options for removing micro-nano plastics from soil are also described. Phytoremediation improvements (endophytic-bacteria, hyperaccumulator species, omics investigations, and CRISPR-Cas9) have been proposed to enhance MNP degradation in agroecosystems. Finally, the limitations and future prospects of phytoremediation strategies have been highlighted in order to provide a better understanding for effective MNP decontamination from soil.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megha Bansal
- Department of Biotechnology, Delhi Technological University, Delhi, India
| | - Deenan Santhiya
- Department of Applied Chemistry, Delhi Technological University, Main Bawana Road, Delhi, 110042, India.
| | - Jai Gopal Sharma
- Department of Biotechnology, Delhi Technological University, Delhi, India
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13
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Amalia L, Chang CY, Wang SSS, Yeh YC, Tsai SL. Recent advances in the biological depolymerization and upcycling of polyethylene terephthalate. Curr Opin Biotechnol 2024; 85:103053. [PMID: 38128200 DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2023.103053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2023] [Revised: 11/16/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is favored for its exceptional properties and widespread daily use. This review highlights recent advancements that enable the development of biological tools for PET decomposition, transforming PET into valuable platform chemicals and materials in upcycling processes. Enhancing PET hydrolases' catalytic activity and efficiency through protein engineering strategies is a priority, facilitating more effective PET waste management. Efforts to create novel PET hydrolases for large-scale PET depolymerization continue, but cost-effectiveness remains challenging. Hydrolyzed monomers must add additional value to make PET recycling economically attractive. Valorization of hydrolysis products through the upcycling process is expected to produce new compounds with different values and qualities from the initial polymer, making the decomposed monomers more appealing. Advances in synthetic biology and enzyme engineering hold promise for PET upcycling. While biological depolymerization offers environmental benefits, further research is needed to make PET upcycling sustainable and economically feasible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lita Amalia
- Department of Chemical Engineering, National Taiwan University of Science and Technology, Taipei 10607, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Yu Chang
- Department of Chemical Engineering, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan
| | - Steven S-S Wang
- Department of Chemical Engineering, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Chun Yeh
- Department of Chemistry, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei 11677, Taiwan
| | - Shen-Long Tsai
- Department of Chemical Engineering, National Taiwan University of Science and Technology, Taipei 10607, Taiwan.
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14
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Degli-Innocenti F, Breton T, Chinaglia S, Esposito E, Pecchiari M, Pennacchio A, Pischedda A, Tosin M. Microorganisms that produce enzymes active on biodegradable polyesters are ubiquitous. Biodegradation 2023; 34:489-518. [PMID: 37354274 DOI: 10.1007/s10532-023-10031-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/26/2023]
Abstract
Biodegradability standards measure ultimate biodegradation of polymers by exposing the material under test to a natural microbial inoculum. Available tests developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) use inoculums sampled from different environments e.g. soil, marine sediments, seawater. Understanding whether each inoculum is to be considered as microbially unique or not can be relevant for the interpretation of tests results. In this review, we address this question by consideration of the following: (i) the chemical nature of biodegradable plastics (virtually all biodegradable plastics are polyesters) (ii) the diffusion of ester bonds in nature both in simple molecules and in polymers (ubiquitous); (iii) the diffusion of decomposers capable of producing enzymes, called esterases, which accelerate the hydrolysis of esters, including polyesters (ubiquitous); (iv) the evidence showing that synthetic polyesters can be depolymerized by esterases (large and growing); (v) the evidence showing that these esterases are ubiquitous (growing and confirmed by bioinformatics studies). By combining the relevant available facts it can be concluded that if a certain polyester shows ultimate biodegradation when exposed to a natural inoculum, it can be considered biodegradable and need not be retested using other inoculums. Obviously, if the polymer does not show ultimate biodegradation it must be considered recalcitrant, until proven otherwise.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Tony Breton
- Novamont S.p.A., via Fauser 8, 28100, Novara, Italy
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15
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James-Pearson LF, Dudley KJ, Te'o VSJ, Patel BKC. A hot topic: thermophilic plastic biodegradation. Trends Biotechnol 2023; 41:1117-1126. [PMID: 37121828 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2023.03.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Revised: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/23/2023] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
Biological degradation of plastic waste is an environmentally and economically friendlier alternative to current recycling practices and enables the cycling of plastic monomers back into virgin-quality plastics. However, due to slow reaction rates, there is a lack of an industrially viable biodegradation strategy for most plastics. Here, we highlight the applicability of a thermophilic biodegradation strategy over a mesophilic approach, to enhance enzyme accessibility and catalyze plastic biodegradation. Thus, at reactions closer to the melting temperature or glass transition temperature of plastics, thermophilic reactions can offer an alternative direction to conventional plastic biodegradation strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louisa F James-Pearson
- School of Biology and Environmental Science, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Kevin J Dudley
- School of Biology and Environmental Science, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Valentino Setoa Junior Te'o
- School of Biology and Environmental Science, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Bharat K C Patel
- School of Biology and Environmental Science, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
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16
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Struckmann Poulsen J, Trueba Santiso A, Lema JM, Gregersen Echers S, Wimmer R, Lund Nielsen J. Assessing labelled carbon assimilation from poly butylene adipate-co-terephthalate (PBAT) monomers during thermophilic anaerobic digestion. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2023:129430. [PMID: 37399952 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2023.129430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2023] [Revised: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 07/05/2023]
Abstract
PBAT (poly butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) is a widely used biodegradable plastic, but the knowledge about its metabolization in anaerobic environments is very limited. In this study, the anaerobic digester sludge from a municipal wastewater treatment plant was used as inoculum to investigate the biodegradability of PBAT monomers in thermophilic conditions. The research employs a combination of 13C-labelled monomers and proteogenomics to track the labelled carbon and identify the microorganisms involved. A total of 122 labelled peptides of interest were identified for adipic acid (AA) and 1,4-butanedio (BD). Through the time-dependent isotopic enrichment and isotopic profile distributions, Bacteroides, Ichthyobacterium, and Methanosarcina were proven to be directly involved in the metabolization of at least one monomer. This study provides a first insight into the identity and genomic potential of microorganisms responsible for biodegradability of PBAT monomers during anaerobic digestion under thermophilic conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Struckmann Poulsen
- Department of Chemistry and Bioscience, Aalborg University, Fredrik Bajers Vej 7H, 9220 Aalborg E, Denmark
| | - Alba Trueba Santiso
- Department of Chemistry and Bioscience, Aalborg University, Fredrik Bajers Vej 7H, 9220 Aalborg E, Denmark; CRETUS, Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Santiago de Compostela, Campus Vida, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain
| | - Juan M Lema
- CRETUS, Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Santiago de Compostela, Campus Vida, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain
| | - Simon Gregersen Echers
- Department of Chemistry and Bioscience, Aalborg University, Fredrik Bajers Vej 7H, 9220 Aalborg E, Denmark
| | - Reinhard Wimmer
- Department of Chemistry and Bioscience, Aalborg University, Fredrik Bajers Vej 7H, 9220 Aalborg E, Denmark
| | - Jeppe Lund Nielsen
- Department of Chemistry and Bioscience, Aalborg University, Fredrik Bajers Vej 7H, 9220 Aalborg E, Denmark.
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17
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Pooja N, Chakraborty I, Rahman MH, Mazumder N. An insight on sources and biodegradation of bioplastics: a review. 3 Biotech 2023; 13:220. [PMID: 37265543 PMCID: PMC10230146 DOI: 10.1007/s13205-023-03638-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2022] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Durability and affordability are two main reasons for the widespread consumption of plastic in the world. However, the inability of these materials to undergo degradation has become a significant threat to the environment and human health To address this issue, bioplastics have emerged as a promising alternative. Bioplastics are obtained from renewable and sustainable biomass and have a lower carbon footprint and emit fewer greenhouse gases than petroleum-based plastics. The use of these bioplastics sourced from renewable biomass can also reduce the dependency on fossil fuels, which are limited in availability. This review provides an elaborate comparison of biodegradation rates of potential bioplastics in soil from various sources such as biomass, microorganisms, and monomers. These bioplastics show great potential as a replacement for conventional plastics due to their biodegradable and diverse properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nag Pooja
- Department of Biophysics, Manipal School of Life Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka 576104 India
| | - Ishita Chakraborty
- Department of Biophysics, Manipal School of Life Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka 576104 India
| | - Md. Hafizur Rahman
- Department of Quality Control and Safety Management, Faculty of Food Sciences and Safety, Khulna Agricultural University, Khulna, Bangladesh
| | - Nirmal Mazumder
- Department of Biophysics, Manipal School of Life Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka 576104 India
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18
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Galarza–Verkovitch D, Turak O, Wiese J, Rahn T, Hentschel U, Borchert E. Bioprospecting for polyesterase activity relevant for PET degradation in marine Enterobacterales isolates. AIMS Microbiol 2023; 9:518-539. [PMID: 37649797 PMCID: PMC10462454 DOI: 10.3934/microbiol.2023027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2023] [Revised: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 06/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Plastics have quickly become an integral part of modern life. Due to excessive production and improper waste disposal, they are recognized as contaminants present in practically all habitat types. Although there are several polymers, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is of particular concern due to its abundance in the environment. There is a need for a solution that is both cost-effective and ecologically friendly to address this pollutant. The use of microbial depolymerizing enzymes could offer a biological avenue for plastic degradation, though the full potential of these enzymes is yet to be uncovered. The purpose of this study was to use (1) plate-based screening methods to investigate the plastic degradation potential of marine bacteria from the order Enterobacterales collected from various organismal and environmental sources, and (2) perform genome-based analysis to identify polyesterases potentially related to PET degradation. 126 bacterial isolates were obtained from the strain collection of RD3, Research Unit Marine Symbioses-GEOMAR-and sequentially tested for esterase and polyesterase activity, in combination here referred to as PETase-like activity. The results show that members of the microbial families Alteromonadaceae, Shewanellaceae, and Vibrionaceae, derived from marine sponges and bryozoans, are the most promising candidates within the order Enterobacterales. Furthermore, 389 putative hydrolases from the α/β superfamily were identified in 23 analyzed genomes, of which 22 were sequenced for this study. Several candidates showed similarities with known PETases, indicating underlying enzymatic potential within the order Enterobacterales for PET degradation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Onur Turak
- GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, Kiel, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany
| | - Jutta Wiese
- GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, Kiel, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany
| | - Tanja Rahn
- GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, Kiel, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany
| | - Ute Hentschel
- GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, Kiel, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany
- Christian-Albrechts University of Kiel, Kiel, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany
| | - Erik Borchert
- GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, Kiel, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany
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19
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Lin X, Zhang S, Yang S, Zhang R, Shi X, Song L. A landfill serves as a critical source of microplastic pollution and harbors diverse plastic biodegradation microbial species and enzymes: Study in large-scale landfills, China. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2023; 457:131676. [PMID: 37263024 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.131676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Revised: 05/15/2023] [Accepted: 05/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) are emerging pollutants. Landfills store up to 42% of worldwide plastic waste and serve as an important source of MPs. However, the study of MPs distribution and the plastic biodegradation potential in landfills is limited. In this study, the distribution of abundance, size, morphology and polymer type of MPs and plastics biodegradation species in refuse samples along landfill depths were extensively investigated within a large-scale landfill in Shenzhen, China. In addition, plastics biodegradation enzymes were evaluated in seven Chinese large-scale landfills leachate. MPs distribution pattern was investigated in all refuse samples. The abundance of MPs in refuse samples varied between 81 and 133 items/g. The size of MPs in all samples varied between 0.03 and 5 mm, and the average sizes were 1.2 mm ± 0.1 mm. The main morphology and polymer type were fragments and cellophane, respectively. Landfill depth was significantly negatively correlated with the relative abundance of MPs size 1-5 mm (p < 0.05) and was positively correlated with the relative abundance of MPs size < 0.2 mm (p < 0.05), suggesting that plastics were broken down during municipal solid waste decomposition. The multiple regression on matrices analysis further showed the landfill depths and plastic morphology significantly impact the MPs distribution. The strains, Lysinibacillus massiliensis (with relative abundance of 1.8%) for low-density polyethylene and polystyrene biodegradation, and Pseudomonas stutzeri (0.1%) for low density polythene and polypropylene biodegradation, were detected on the plastic surface with high relative abundance. Furthermore, 75 plastic degradation species and their associated 31 enzymes (breakdown 24 plastics) were discovered in seven landfills leachate samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoxing Lin
- School of resources and environmental engineering, Anhui University, Hefei 230601, China; Anhui Shengjin Lake Wetland Ecology National Long-term Scientific Research Base, Dongzhi, 247230, China
| | - Shanshan Zhang
- Chongqing Institute of Green and Intelligent Technology, Chinese Academy of Science, Chongqing 400714, China
| | - Shu Yang
- Key Laboratory of Three Gorges Reservoir Region's Eco-Environment, Ministry of Education, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400045, China
| | - Rui Zhang
- Chongqing Institute of Green and Intelligent Technology, Chinese Academy of Science, Chongqing 400714, China
| | - Xianyang Shi
- School of resources and environmental engineering, Anhui University, Hefei 230601, China
| | - Liyan Song
- School of resources and environmental engineering, Anhui University, Hefei 230601, China; Anhui Shengjin Lake Wetland Ecology National Long-term Scientific Research Base, Dongzhi, 247230, China; Chongqing Institute of Green and Intelligent Technology, Chinese Academy of Science, Chongqing 400714, China.
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20
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Rüthi J, Cerri M, Brunner I, Stierli B, Sander M, Frey B. Discovery of plastic-degrading microbial strains isolated from the alpine and Arctic terrestrial plastisphere. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1178474. [PMID: 37234546 PMCID: PMC10206078 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1178474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Accepted: 04/06/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Increasing plastic production and the release of some plastic in to the environment highlight the need for circular plastic economy. Microorganisms have a great potential to enable a more sustainable plastic economy by biodegradation and enzymatic recycling of polymers. Temperature is a crucial parameter affecting biodegradation rates, but so far microbial plastic degradation has mostly been studied at temperatures above 20°C. Here, we isolated 34 cold-adapted microbial strains from the plastisphere using plastics buried in alpine and Arctic soils during laboratory incubations as well as plastics collected directly from Arctic terrestrial environments. We tested their ability to degrade, at 15°C, conventional polyethylene (PE) and the biodegradable plastics polyester-polyurethane (PUR; Impranil®); ecovio® and BI-OPL, two commercial plastic films made of polybutylene adipate-co-terephthalate (PBAT) and polylactic acid (PLA); pure PBAT; and pure PLA. Agar clearing tests indicated that 19 strains had the ability to degrade the dispersed PUR. Weight-loss analysis showed degradation of the polyester plastic films ecovio® and BI-OPL by 12 and 5 strains, respectively, whereas no strain was able to break down PE. NMR analysis revealed significant mass reduction of the PBAT and PLA components in the biodegradable plastic films by 8 and 7 strains, respectively. Co-hydrolysis experiments with a polymer-embedded fluorogenic probe revealed the potential of many strains to depolymerize PBAT. Neodevriesia and Lachnellula strains were able to degrade all the tested biodegradable plastic materials, making these strains especially promising for future applications. Further, the composition of the culturing medium strongly affected the microbial plastic degradation, with different strains having different optimal conditions. In our study we discovered many novel microbial taxa with the ability to break down biodegradable plastic films, dispersed PUR, and PBAT, providing a strong foundation to underline the role of biodegradable polymers in a circular plastic economy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joel Rüthi
- Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research WSL, Birmensdorf, Switzerland
- Institute of Biogeochemistry and Pollutant Dynamics, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology ETH, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Mattia Cerri
- Institute of Biogeochemistry and Pollutant Dynamics, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology ETH, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Ivano Brunner
- Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research WSL, Birmensdorf, Switzerland
| | - Beat Stierli
- Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research WSL, Birmensdorf, Switzerland
| | - Michael Sander
- Institute of Biogeochemistry and Pollutant Dynamics, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology ETH, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Beat Frey
- Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research WSL, Birmensdorf, Switzerland
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21
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Pellis A, Guebitz GM, Ribitsch D. Bio-upcycling of multilayer materials and blends: closing the plastics loop. Curr Opin Biotechnol 2023; 81:102938. [PMID: 37058877 DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2023.102938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2022] [Revised: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 04/16/2023]
Abstract
The urge to discover and develop new technologies for closing the plastic carbon cycle is motivating industries, governments, and academia to work closely together to find suitable solutions in a timely manner. In this review article, a combination of uprising breakthrough technologies is presented highlighting their potential and complementarity to be integrated one with the other, therefore providing a potential solution to efficiently solve the plastics problem. First, modern approaches for bio-exploration and engineering of polymer-active enzymes are presented to degrade polymers into valuable building blocks. Special focus is placed on the recovery of components from multilayered materials since these complex materials can only be recycled insufficiently or not at all by existing technologies. Then, the potential of microbes and enzymes for resynthesis of polymers and reuse of building blocks is summarized and discussed. Finally, examples for improvement of the bio-based content and enzymatic degradability and future perspectives are given.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Pellis
- Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry, University of Genova, Via Dodecaneso 31, 16146 Genova, Italy
| | - Georg M Guebitz
- ACIB - Austrian Centre of Industrial Biotechnology, Krenngasse 37, 8010 Graz, Austria; Department of Agrobiotechnology, IFA-Tulln, Institute of Environmental Biotechnology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna, 1180 Vienna, Austria
| | - Doris Ribitsch
- ACIB - Austrian Centre of Industrial Biotechnology, Krenngasse 37, 8010 Graz, Austria; Department of Agrobiotechnology, IFA-Tulln, Institute of Environmental Biotechnology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna, 1180 Vienna, Austria.
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22
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Yang Y, Min J, Xue T, Jiang P, Liu X, Peng R, Huang JW, Qu Y, Li X, Ma N, Tsai FC, Dai L, Zhang Q, Liu Y, Chen CC, Guo RT. Complete bio-degradation of poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) via engineered cutinases. Nat Commun 2023; 14:1645. [PMID: 36964144 PMCID: PMC10039075 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-37374-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 03/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT), a polyester made of terephthalic acid (TPA), 1,4-butanediol, and adipic acid, is extensively utilized in plastic production and has accumulated globally as environmental waste. Biodegradation is an attractive strategy to manage PBAT, but an effective PBAT-degrading enzyme is required. Here, we demonstrate that cutinases are highly potent enzymes that can completely decompose PBAT films in 48 h. We further show that the engineered cutinases, by applying a double mutation strategy to render a more flexible substrate-binding pocket exhibit higher decomposition rates. Notably, these variants produce TPA as a major end-product, which is beneficial feature for the future recycling economy. The crystal structures of wild type and double mutation of a cutinase from Thermobifida fusca in complex with a substrate analogue are also solved, elucidating their substrate-binding modes. These structural and biochemical analyses enable us to propose the mechanism of cutinase-mediated PBAT degradation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Hubei Collaborative Innovation Center for Green Transformation of Bio-Resources, Hubei Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, 430062, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Jian Min
- State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Hubei Collaborative Innovation Center for Green Transformation of Bio-Resources, Hubei Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, 430062, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Ting Xue
- State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Hubei Collaborative Innovation Center for Green Transformation of Bio-Resources, Hubei Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, 430062, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Pengcheng Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Hubei Collaborative Innovation Center for Green Transformation of Bio-Resources, Hubei Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, 430062, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Xin Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Hubei Collaborative Innovation Center for Green Transformation of Bio-Resources, Hubei Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, 430062, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Rouming Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Hubei Collaborative Innovation Center for Green Transformation of Bio-Resources, Hubei Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, 430062, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Jian-Wen Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Hubei Collaborative Innovation Center for Green Transformation of Bio-Resources, Hubei Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, 430062, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Yingying Qu
- State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Hubei Collaborative Innovation Center for Green Transformation of Bio-Resources, Hubei Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, 430062, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Xian Li
- State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Hubei Collaborative Innovation Center for Green Transformation of Bio-Resources, Hubei Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, 430062, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Ning Ma
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials, Key Laboratory for the Green Preparation and Application of Functional Materials (Ministry of Education), Hubei Collaborative Innovation Center for Advanced Organic Chemical Materials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Hubei University, 430062, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Fang-Chang Tsai
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials, Key Laboratory for the Green Preparation and Application of Functional Materials (Ministry of Education), Hubei Collaborative Innovation Center for Advanced Organic Chemical Materials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Hubei University, 430062, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Longhai Dai
- State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Hubei Collaborative Innovation Center for Green Transformation of Bio-Resources, Hubei Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, 430062, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Qi Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, 430072, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Yingle Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, 430072, Wuhan, People's Republic of China.
| | - Chun-Chi Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Hubei Collaborative Innovation Center for Green Transformation of Bio-Resources, Hubei Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, 430062, Wuhan, People's Republic of China.
| | - Rey-Ting Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Hubei Collaborative Innovation Center for Green Transformation of Bio-Resources, Hubei Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, 430062, Wuhan, People's Republic of China.
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23
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Tournier V, Duquesne S, Guillamot F, Cramail H, Taton D, Marty A, André I. Enzymes' Power for Plastics Degradation. Chem Rev 2023; 123:5612-5701. [PMID: 36916764 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.2c00644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 56.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/16/2023]
Abstract
Plastics are everywhere in our modern way of living, and their production keeps increasing every year, causing major environmental concerns. Nowadays, the end-of-life management involves accumulation in landfills, incineration, and recycling to a lower extent. This ecological threat to the environment is inspiring alternative bio-based solutions for plastic waste treatment and recycling toward a circular economy. Over the past decade, considerable efforts have been made to degrade commodity plastics using biocatalytic approaches. Here, we provide a comprehensive review on the recent advances in enzyme-based biocatalysis and in the design of related biocatalytic processes to recycle or upcycle commodity plastics, including polyesters, polyamides, polyurethanes, and polyolefins. We also discuss scope and limitations, challenges, and opportunities of this field of research. An important message from this review is that polymer-assimilating enzymes are very likely part of the solution to reaching a circular plastic economy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincent Tournier
- Carbios, Parc Cataroux-Bâtiment B80, 8 rue de la Grolière, 63100 Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Sophie Duquesne
- Toulouse Biotechnology Institute, TBI, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, INRAE, INSA, Toulouse, France, 135, avenue de Rangueil, F-31077 Toulouse Cedex 04, France
| | - Frédérique Guillamot
- Carbios, Parc Cataroux-Bâtiment B80, 8 rue de la Grolière, 63100 Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Henri Cramail
- Université Bordeaux, CNRS, Bordeaux INP, LCPO, 16 Avenue Pey-Berland, 33600 Pessac, France
| | - Daniel Taton
- Université Bordeaux, CNRS, Bordeaux INP, LCPO, 16 Avenue Pey-Berland, 33600 Pessac, France
| | - Alain Marty
- Carbios, Parc Cataroux-Bâtiment B80, 8 rue de la Grolière, 63100 Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Isabelle André
- Toulouse Biotechnology Institute, TBI, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, INRAE, INSA, Toulouse, France, 135, avenue de Rangueil, F-31077 Toulouse Cedex 04, France
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24
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Falzarano M, Polettini A, Pomi R, Rossi A, Zonfa T. Anaerobic Biodegradability of Commercial Bioplastic Products: Systematic Bibliographic Analysis and Critical Assessment of the Latest Advances. MATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 16:2216. [PMID: 36984096 PMCID: PMC10058929 DOI: 10.3390/ma16062216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Revised: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Bioplastics have entered everyday life as a potential sustainable substitute for commodity plastics. However, still further progress should be made to clarify their degradation behavior under controlled and uncontrolled conditions. The wide array of biopolymers and commercial blends available make predicting the biodegradation degree and kinetics quite a complex issue that requires specific knowledge of the multiple factors affecting the degradation process. This paper summarizes the main scientific literature on anaerobic digestion of biodegradable plastics through a general bibliographic analysis and a more detailed discussion of specific results from relevant experimental studies. The critical analysis of literature data initially included 275 scientific references, which were then screened for duplication/pertinence/relevance. The screened references were analyzed to derive some general features of the research profile, trends, and evolution in the field of anaerobic biodegradation of bioplastics. The second stage of the analysis involved extracting detailed results about bioplastic degradability under anaerobic conditions by screening analytical and performance data on biodegradation performance for different types of bioplastic products and different anaerobic biodegradation conditions, with a particular emphasis on the most recent data. A critical overview of existing biopolymers is presented, along with their properties and degradation mechanisms and the operating parameters influencing/enhancing the degradation process under anaerobic conditions.
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25
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Yan W, Cao Z, Ding M, Yuan Y. Design and construction of microbial cell factories based on systems biology. Synth Syst Biotechnol 2023; 8:176-185. [PMID: 36874510 PMCID: PMC9979088 DOI: 10.1016/j.synbio.2022.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2022] [Revised: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 11/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Environmental sustainability is an increasingly important issue in industry. As an environmentally friendly and sustainable way, constructing microbial cell factories to produce all kinds of valuable products has attracted more and more attention. In the process of constructing microbial cell factories, systems biology plays a crucial role. This review summarizes the recent applications of systems biology in the design and construction of microbial cell factories from four perspectives, including functional genes/enzymes discovery, bottleneck pathways identification, strains tolerance improvement and design and construction of synthetic microbial consortia. Systems biology tools can be employed to identify functional genes/enzymes involved in the biosynthetic pathways of products. These discovered genes are introduced into appropriate chassis strains to build engineering microorganisms capable of producing products. Subsequently, systems biology tools are used to identify bottleneck pathways, improve strains tolerance and guide design and construction of synthetic microbial consortia, resulting in increasing the yield of engineered strains and constructing microbial cell factories successfully.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenlong Yan
- Frontier Science Center for Synthetic Biology and Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering (Ministry of Education), School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China.,Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China
| | - Zhibei Cao
- Frontier Science Center for Synthetic Biology and Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering (Ministry of Education), School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China.,Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China
| | - Mingzhu Ding
- Frontier Science Center for Synthetic Biology and Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering (Ministry of Education), School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China.,Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China
| | - Yingjin Yuan
- Frontier Science Center for Synthetic Biology and Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering (Ministry of Education), School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China.,Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China
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26
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Orlando M, Molla G, Castellani P, Pirillo V, Torretta V, Ferronato N. Microbial Enzyme Biotechnology to Reach Plastic Waste Circularity: Current Status, Problems and Perspectives. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:3877. [PMID: 36835289 PMCID: PMC9967032 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24043877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2023] [Revised: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 02/10/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The accumulation of synthetic plastic waste in the environment has become a global concern. Microbial enzymes (purified or as whole-cell biocatalysts) represent emerging biotechnological tools for waste circularity; they can depolymerize materials into reusable building blocks, but their contribution must be considered within the context of present waste management practices. This review reports on the prospective of biotechnological tools for plastic bio-recycling within the framework of plastic waste management in Europe. Available biotechnology tools can support polyethylene terephthalate (PET) recycling. However, PET represents only ≈7% of unrecycled plastic waste. Polyurethanes, the principal unrecycled waste fraction, together with other thermosets and more recalcitrant thermoplastics (e.g., polyolefins) are the next plausible target for enzyme-based depolymerization, even if this process is currently effective only on ideal polyester-based polymers. To extend the contribution of biotechnology to plastic circularity, optimization of collection and sorting systems should be considered to feed chemoenzymatic technologies for the treatment of more recalcitrant and mixed polymers. In addition, new bio-based technologies with a lower environmental impact in comparison with the present approaches should be developed to depolymerize (available or new) plastic materials, that should be designed for the required durability and for being susceptible to the action of enzymes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Orlando
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, University of Insubria, Via Dunant, 21100 Varese, Italy
| | - Gianluca Molla
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, University of Insubria, Via Dunant, 21100 Varese, Italy
| | - Pietro Castellani
- Department of Theoretical and Applied Sciences (DiSTA), University of Insubria, Via G.B. Vico 46, 21100 Varese, Italy
| | - Valentina Pirillo
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, University of Insubria, Via Dunant, 21100 Varese, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Torretta
- Department of Theoretical and Applied Sciences (DiSTA), University of Insubria, Via G.B. Vico 46, 21100 Varese, Italy
| | - Navarro Ferronato
- Department of Theoretical and Applied Sciences (DiSTA), University of Insubria, Via G.B. Vico 46, 21100 Varese, Italy
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27
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Accelerated degradation of plastic products via yeast enzyme treatment. Sci Rep 2023; 13:2386. [PMID: 36765090 PMCID: PMC9918467 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-29414-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2022] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Biodegradable plastics can solve the problem of unwanted plastics accumulating in the environment if they can be given the contradictory properties of durability in use and rapid degradation after use. Commercially available agricultural biodegradable mulch films are made from formulations containing polybutylene adipate-co-terephthalate (PBAT) to provide mechanical and UV resistance during the growing season. Although used films are ploughed into the soil using a tiller to promote decomposition, it is difficult if they remain durable. We showed that an enzyme produced by the leaf surface yeast Pseudozyma antarctica (PaE) degrades PBAT-containing films. In laboratory studies, PaE randomly cleaved the PBAT polymer chain and induced erosion of the film surface. In the field, commercial biodegradable films containing PBAT placed on ridges were weakened in both the warm and cold seasons by spraying the culture filtrate of P. antarctica. After the field was ploughed the next day, the size and total weight of residual film fragments decreased significantly (p < 0.05). Durable biodegradable plastics used in the field are degraded using PaE treatment and are broken down into small fragments by the plough. The resultant degradation products can then be more readily assimilated by many soil microorganisms.
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28
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Characterization of a PBAT Degradation Carboxylesterase from Thermobacillus composti KWC4. Catalysts 2023. [DOI: 10.3390/catal13020340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The large amount of waste synthetic polyester plastics has complicated waste management and also endangering the environment due to improper littering. In this study, a novel carboxylesterase from Thermobacillus composti KWC4 (Tcca) was identified, heterologously expressed in Escherichia coli, purified and characterized with various plastic substrates. Irregular grooves were detected on polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT) film by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) after Tcca treatment, and Tcca can also hydrolyze short–chain diester bis(hydroxyethyl) terephthalate (BHET). The optimal pH and temperature for Tcca were 7.0 and 40 °C, respectively. In order to explore its catalytic mechanism and improve its potential for plastic hydrolysis, we modeled the protein structure of Tcca and compared it with its homologous structures, and we identified positions that might be crucial for the binding of substrates. We generated a variety of Tcca variants by mutating these key positions; the variant F325A exhibited a more than 1.4–fold improvement in PBAT hydrolytic activity, and E80A exhibited a more than 4.1–fold increase in BHET activity when compared to the wild type. Tcca and its variants demonstrated future applicability for the recycling of bioplastic waste containing a PBAT fraction.
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29
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Santos-Beneit F, Chen LM, Bordel S, Frutos de la Flor R, García-Depraect O, Lebrero R, Rodriguez-Vega S, Muñoz R, Börner RA, Börner T. Screening Enzymes That Can Depolymerize Commercial Biodegradable Polymers: Heterologous Expression of Fusarium solani Cutinase in Escherichia coli. Microorganisms 2023; 11:microorganisms11020328. [PMID: 36838293 PMCID: PMC9963400 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11020328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2022] [Revised: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
In recent years, a number of microbial enzymes capable of degrading plastics have been identified. Biocatalytic depolymerization mediated by enzymes has emerged as a potentially more efficient and environmentally friendly alternative to the currently employed methods for plastic treatment and recycling. However, the functional and systematic study of depolymerase enzymes with respect to the degradation of a series of plastic polymers in a single work has not been widely addressed at present. In this study, the ability of a set of enzymes (esterase, arylesterase and cutinase) to degrade commercial biodegradable polymers (PBS, PBAT, PHB, PHBH, PHBV, PCL, PLA and PLA/PCL) and the effect of pre-treatment methods on their degradation rate was assessed. The degradation products were identified and quantified by HPLC and LC-HRMS analysis. Out of the three enzymes, Fusarium solani cutinase (FsCut) showed the highest activity on grinded PBAT, PBS and PCL after 7 days of incubation. FsCut was engineered and heterologous expressed in Escherichia coli, which conferred the bacterium the capability of degrading solid discs of PBAT and to grow in PBS as the sole carbon source of the medium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernando Santos-Beneit
- Institute of Sustainable Processes, Dr. Mergelina s/n, 47011 Valladolid, Spain
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Environmental Technology, School of Industrial Engineering, University of Valladolid, Dr. Mergelina s/n, 47011 Valladolid, Spain
- Correspondence: (F.S.-B.); (T.B.)
| | - Le Min Chen
- Nestlé Research, Société des Produits Nestlé S.A, Route du Jorat 57, 1000 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Sergio Bordel
- Institute of Sustainable Processes, Dr. Mergelina s/n, 47011 Valladolid, Spain
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Environmental Technology, School of Industrial Engineering, University of Valladolid, Dr. Mergelina s/n, 47011 Valladolid, Spain
| | - Raquel Frutos de la Flor
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Environmental Technology, School of Industrial Engineering, University of Valladolid, Dr. Mergelina s/n, 47011 Valladolid, Spain
| | - Octavio García-Depraect
- Institute of Sustainable Processes, Dr. Mergelina s/n, 47011 Valladolid, Spain
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Environmental Technology, School of Industrial Engineering, University of Valladolid, Dr. Mergelina s/n, 47011 Valladolid, Spain
| | - Raquel Lebrero
- Institute of Sustainable Processes, Dr. Mergelina s/n, 47011 Valladolid, Spain
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Environmental Technology, School of Industrial Engineering, University of Valladolid, Dr. Mergelina s/n, 47011 Valladolid, Spain
| | - Sara Rodriguez-Vega
- Institute of Sustainable Processes, Dr. Mergelina s/n, 47011 Valladolid, Spain
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Environmental Technology, School of Industrial Engineering, University of Valladolid, Dr. Mergelina s/n, 47011 Valladolid, Spain
| | - Raúl Muñoz
- Institute of Sustainable Processes, Dr. Mergelina s/n, 47011 Valladolid, Spain
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Environmental Technology, School of Industrial Engineering, University of Valladolid, Dr. Mergelina s/n, 47011 Valladolid, Spain
| | - Rosa Aragão Börner
- Nestlé Research, Société des Produits Nestlé S.A, Route du Jorat 57, 1000 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Tim Börner
- Nestlé Research, Société des Produits Nestlé S.A, Route du Jorat 57, 1000 Lausanne, Switzerland
- Correspondence: (F.S.-B.); (T.B.)
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30
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Davachi S, Mokhtare A, Torabi H, Enayati M, Deisenroth T, Van Pho T, Qu L, Tücking KS, Abbaspourrad A. Screening the Degradation of Polymer Microparticles on a Chip. ACS OMEGA 2023; 8:1710-1722. [PMID: 36643556 PMCID: PMC9835179 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.2c07704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Enzymatic degradation of polymers has advantages over standard degradation methods, such as soil burial and weathering, which are time-consuming and cannot provide time-resolved observations. We have developed a microfluidic device to study the degradation of single microparticles. The enzymatic degradation of poly (1,4-butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) microparticles was studied using Novozym 51032 cutinase. PBAT microparticles were prepared via an oil-in-water emulsion solvent removal method, and their morphology and chemical composition were characterized. Then, microparticles with varying diameters of 30-60 μm were loaded into the microfluidic chip. Enzyme solutions at different concentrations were introduced to the device, and changes in the size and transparency of PBAT microparticles were observed over time. The physicochemical properties of degraded products were analyzed by FT-IR, NMR, mass spectrometry, and differential scanning calorimetry. The degradation process was also performed in bulk, and the results were compared to those of the microfluidic method. Our analysis confirms that the degradation process in both bulk and microfluidic methods was similar. In both cases, degradation takes place on aliphatic and soft segments of PBAT. Our findings serve as a proof of concept for a microfluidic method for easy and time-resolved degradation analysis, with degradation results comparable to those of conventional bulk methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seyed
Mohammad Davachi
- Department
of Food Science, College of Agriculture & Life Sciences, Cornell University, Stocking Hall, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | - Amir Mokhtare
- Department
of Food Science, College of Agriculture & Life Sciences, Cornell University, Stocking Hall, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | - Hooman Torabi
- Department
of Food Science, College of Agriculture & Life Sciences, Cornell University, Stocking Hall, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | - Mojtaba Enayati
- Department
of Food Science, College of Agriculture & Life Sciences, Cornell University, Stocking Hall, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | - Ted Deisenroth
- BASF
Corporation, 500 White Plains Road, Tarrytown, New York 10591, United
States
| | - Toan Van Pho
- BASF
Corporation, 500 White Plains Road, Tarrytown, New York 10591, United
States
| | - Liangliang Qu
- BASF
Corporation, 500 White Plains Road, Tarrytown, New York 10591, United
States
| | | | - Alireza Abbaspourrad
- Department
of Food Science, College of Agriculture & Life Sciences, Cornell University, Stocking Hall, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
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31
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Jia X, Zhao K, Zhao J, Lin C, Zhang H, Chen L, Chen J, Fang Y. Degradation of poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) films by Thermobifida fusca FXJ-1 isolated from compost. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2023; 441:129958. [PMID: 36122523 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.129958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2022] [Revised: 09/06/2022] [Accepted: 09/07/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
In recent years, Poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) films were wildly used due to its biodegradable properties. However, there are few reports of strains that can high efficiently degrade PBAT. Thermobifida fusca FXJ-1, a thermophilic actinomycete, was screened and identified from compost. FXJ-1 can efficiently degrade PBAT at 55 °C in MSM medium. The degradation rates of the pure PBAT film (PF), PBAT film used for mulching on agricultural fields (PAF), and PBAT-PLA-ST film (PPSF) were 82.87 ± 1.01%, 87.83 ± 2.00% and 52.53 ± 0.54%, respectively, after nine days of incubation in MSM medium. Cracking areas were monitored uniformly distributed on the surfaces of three kinds of PBAT-based films after treatment with FXJ-1 using scanning electron microscopy. The LC-MS results showed that PBAT might be degraded into adipic acid, terephthalic acid, butylene adipate, butylene terephthalate and butylene adipate-co-terephthalate, and these products are involved in the cleavage of ester bonds. We also found that amylase produced by FXJ-1 played an important role in the degradation of PPSF. FXJ-1 also showed an efficient PBAT-based films degradation ability in simulating compost environment, which implied its potential application in PBAT and starch-based film degradation by industrial composting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xianbo Jia
- Institute of Soil and Fertilizer, Fujian Academy of Agricultural Sciences/Fujian Key Laboratory of Plant Nutrition and Fertilizer, Fuzhou, China
| | - Ke Zhao
- College of Resources and Environment, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Jie Zhao
- College of Resources and Environment, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Chenqiang Lin
- Institute of Soil and Fertilizer, Fujian Academy of Agricultural Sciences/Fujian Key Laboratory of Plant Nutrition and Fertilizer, Fuzhou, China
| | - Hui Zhang
- Institute of Soil and Fertilizer, Fujian Academy of Agricultural Sciences/Fujian Key Laboratory of Plant Nutrition and Fertilizer, Fuzhou, China
| | - Longjun Chen
- Institute of Soil and Fertilizer, Fujian Academy of Agricultural Sciences/Fujian Key Laboratory of Plant Nutrition and Fertilizer, Fuzhou, China
| | - Jichen Chen
- Institute of Soil and Fertilizer, Fujian Academy of Agricultural Sciences/Fujian Key Laboratory of Plant Nutrition and Fertilizer, Fuzhou, China.
| | - Yu Fang
- Institute of Soil and Fertilizer, Fujian Academy of Agricultural Sciences/Fujian Key Laboratory of Plant Nutrition and Fertilizer, Fuzhou, China.
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32
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Khare R, Khare S. Polymer and its effect on environment. J INDIAN CHEM SOC 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jics.2022.100821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
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33
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Wei S, Zhao Y, Zhou R, Lin J, Su T, Tong H, Wang Z. Biodegradation of polybutylene adipate-co-terephthalate by Priestia megaterium, Pseudomonas mendocina, and Pseudomonas pseudoalcaligenes following incubation in the soil. CHEMOSPHERE 2022; 307:135700. [PMID: 35850225 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.135700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2022] [Revised: 06/29/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Soil that contained polybutylene adipate-co-terephthalate (PBAT) was incubated with Priestia megaterium, Pseudomonas mendocina, and Pseudomonas pseudoalcaligenes to improve the biodegradative process of this polymer. The mixture of Pr. megaterium and Ps. mendocina was highly effective at biodegrading the PBAT, and after eight weeks of soil incubation, approximately 84% of the PBAT film weight was lost. Mixtures of the other two species also positively affected the synergistic degradation of PBAT film in the soil, but the mixture of three species had a negative effect. The residual PBAT film microstructure clearly demonstrated the degradation of PBAT, and the degree of degradation was related to the different species. Cleavage of the PBAT film ester bond after soil microbial action affected its properties. The incubation of PBAT in soil that contained these species affected soil dehydrogenase and soil lipase in particular. The secretion of lipase by these species could play an important role in the degradation of PBAT in the soil.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiwei Wei
- College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, 110866, China
| | - Yujin Zhao
- School of Petrochemical Engineering, Liaoning Petrochemical University, Fushun, 113001, China
| | - Ruimin Zhou
- College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, 110866, China
| | - Jingwei Lin
- College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, 110866, China
| | - Tingting Su
- School of Petrochemical Engineering, Liaoning Petrochemical University, Fushun, 113001, China
| | - Haibin Tong
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory for Water Environment and Marine Biological Resources Protection, College of Life and Environmental Science, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, 325035, China.
| | - Zhanyong Wang
- College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, 110866, China.
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34
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Díaz Rodríguez CA, Díaz-García L, Bunk B, Spröer C, Herrera K, Tarazona NA, Rodriguez-R LM, Overmann J, Jiménez DJ. Novel bacterial taxa in a minimal lignocellulolytic consortium and their potential for lignin and plastics transformation. ISME COMMUNICATIONS 2022; 2:89. [PMID: 37938754 PMCID: PMC9723784 DOI: 10.1038/s43705-022-00176-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2022] [Revised: 09/09/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2023]
Abstract
The understanding and manipulation of microbial communities toward the conversion of lignocellulose and plastics are topics of interest in microbial ecology and biotechnology. In this study, the polymer-degrading capability of a minimal lignocellulolytic microbial consortium (MELMC) was explored by genome-resolved metagenomics. The MELMC was mostly composed (>90%) of three bacterial members (Pseudomonas protegens; Pristimantibacillus lignocellulolyticus gen. nov., sp. nov; and Ochrobactrum gambitense sp. nov) recognized by their high-quality metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs). Functional annotation of these MAGs revealed that Pr. lignocellulolyticus could be involved in cellulose and xylan deconstruction, whereas Ps. protegens could catabolize lignin-derived chemical compounds. The capacity of the MELMC to transform synthetic plastics was assessed by two strategies: (i) annotation of MAGs against databases containing plastic-transforming enzymes; and (ii) predicting enzymatic activity based on chemical structural similarities between lignin- and plastics-derived chemical compounds, using Simplified Molecular-Input Line-Entry System and Tanimoto coefficients. Enzymes involved in the depolymerization of polyurethane and polybutylene adipate terephthalate were found to be encoded by Ps. protegens, which could catabolize phthalates and terephthalic acid. The axenic culture of Ps. protegens grew on polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) nanoparticles and might be a suitable species for the industrial production of PHAs in the context of lignin and plastic upcycling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Andrés Díaz Rodríguez
- Microbiomes and Bioenergy Research Group, Department of Biological Sciences, Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Laura Díaz-García
- Microbiomes and Bioenergy Research Group, Department of Biological Sciences, Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Advanced Biomanufacturing Centre, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Boyke Bunk
- Leibniz Institute DSMZ-German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Cathrin Spröer
- Leibniz Institute DSMZ-German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Katherine Herrera
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia
| | | | - Luis M Rodriguez-R
- Department of Microbiology and Digital Science Center (DiSC), University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Jörg Overmann
- Leibniz Institute DSMZ-German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures, Braunschweig, Germany
- Braunschweig University of Technology, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Diego Javier Jiménez
- Microbiomes and Bioenergy Research Group, Department of Biological Sciences, Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia.
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Chow J, Perez‐Garcia P, Dierkes R, Streit WR. Microbial enzymes will offer limited solutions to the global plastic pollution crisis. Microb Biotechnol 2022; 16:195-217. [PMID: 36099200 PMCID: PMC9871534 DOI: 10.1111/1751-7915.14135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2022] [Revised: 07/09/2022] [Accepted: 08/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Global economies depend on the use of fossil-fuel-based polymers with 360-400 million metric tons of synthetic polymers being produced per year. Unfortunately, an estimated 60% of the global production is disposed into the environment. Within this framework, microbiologists have tried to identify plastic-active enzymes over the past decade. Until now, this research has largely failed to deliver functional biocatalysts acting on the commodity polymers such as polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyvinylchloride (PVC), ether-based polyurethane (PUR), polyamide (PA), polystyrene (PS) and synthetic rubber (SR). However, few enzymes are known to act on low-density and low-crystalline (amorphous) polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and ester-based PUR. These above-mentioned polymers represent >95% of all synthetic plastics produced. Therefore, the main challenge microbiologists are currently facing is in finding polymer-active enzymes targeting the majority of fossil-fuel-based plastics. However, identifying plastic-active enzymes either to implement them in biotechnological processes or to understand their potential role in nature is an emerging research field. The application of these enzymes is still in its infancy. Here, we summarize the current knowledge on microbial plastic-active enzymes, their global distribution and potential impact on plastic degradation in industrial processes and nature. We further outline major challenges in finding novel plastic-active enzymes, optimizing known ones by synthetic approaches and problems arising through falsely annotated and unfiltered use of database entries. Finally, we highlight potential biotechnological applications and possible re- and upcycling concepts using microorganisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Chow
- Department of Microbiology and BiotechnologyUniversity of HamburgHamburgGermany
| | - Pablo Perez‐Garcia
- Department of Microbiology and BiotechnologyUniversity of HamburgHamburgGermany
| | - Robert Dierkes
- Department of Microbiology and BiotechnologyUniversity of HamburgHamburgGermany
| | - Wolfgang R. Streit
- Department of Microbiology and BiotechnologyUniversity of HamburgHamburgGermany
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Liu J, Wang P, Wang Y, Zhang Y, Xu T, Zhang Y, Xi J, Hou L, Li L, Zhang Z, Lin Y. Negative effects of poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) microplastics on Arabidopsis and its root-associated microbiome. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2022; 437:129294. [PMID: 35728316 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.129294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2022] [Revised: 05/26/2022] [Accepted: 06/01/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The degradable plastic poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) is considered a potential replacement for low-density polyethylene (LDPE) as the main component of mulch film. However, it is not clear whether PBAT is harmful to the plant-soil system. Thus, we determined the effects of LDPE microplastics (LDPE-MPs) and PBAT microplastics (PBAT-MPs) on the growth of Arabidopsis. The inhibitory effect of PBAT-MPs was greater than that of LDPE-MPs on the growth of Arabidopsis. Transcriptome analysis showed that PBAT-MPs severely disrupted the photosynthetic system of Arabidopsis and increased the expression levels of genes in drug transport-related pathways. PBAT-MPs increased the relative abundances of Bradyrhizobium, Hydrogenophaga, and Arthrobacter in the bulk soil and rhizosphere soil. The abundances of Variovorax, Flavobacterium, and Microbacterium increased in the plant root zone only under PBAT-MPs. Functional prediction analysis suggested that microorganisms in the soil and plant root zone could degrade xenobiotics. Furthermore, the degradation products from PBAT comprising adipic acid, terephthalic acid, and butanediol were more toxic than PBAT-MPs. Our findings demonstrate that PBAT-MPs may be degraded by microorganisms to produce chemicals that are highly toxic to plants. Thus, biodegradable plastics may pose a great risk to the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaxi Liu
- College of Life Sciences, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Peiyuan Wang
- College of Life Sciences, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Yufan Wang
- College of Life Sciences, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Yujia Zhang
- College of Life Sciences, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Tengqi Xu
- College of Life Sciences, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Yiqiong Zhang
- College of Life Sciences, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Jiao Xi
- College of Life Sciences, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Lijun Hou
- Department of Natural Resource Sciences, McGill University, Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue, Quebec H9X 3V9, Canada
| | - Li Li
- State Key Laboratory of Desert and Oasis Ecology, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi 830011, China
| | - Zengqiang Zhang
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Yanbing Lin
- College of Life Sciences, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China.
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Meyer Cifuentes IE, Wu P, Zhao Y, Liu W, Neumann-Schaal M, Pfaff L, Barys J, Li Z, Gao J, Han X, Bornscheuer UT, Wei R, Öztürk B. Molecular and Biochemical Differences of the Tandem and Cold-Adapted PET Hydrolases Ple628 and Ple629, Isolated From a Marine Microbial Consortium. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2022; 10:930140. [PMID: 35935485 PMCID: PMC9350882 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.930140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT) is a biodegradable alternative to polyethylene and can be broadly used in various applications. These polymers can be degraded by hydrolases of terrestrial and aquatic origin. In a previous study, we identified tandem PETase-like hydrolases (Ples) from the marine microbial consortium I1 that were highly expressed when a PBAT blend was supplied as the only carbon source. In this study, the tandem Ples, Ple628 and Ple629, were recombinantly expressed and characterized. Both enzymes are mesophilic and active on a wide range of oligomers. The activities of the Ples differed greatly when model substrates, PBAT-modified polymers or PET nanoparticles were supplied. Ple629 was always more active than Ple628. Crystal structures of Ple628 and Ple629 revealed a structural similarity to other PETases and can be classified as member of the PETases IIa subclass, α/β hydrolase superfamily. Our results show that the predicted functions of Ple628 and Ple629 agree with the bioinformatic predictions, and these enzymes play a significant role in the plastic degradation by the consortium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ingrid E. Meyer Cifuentes
- Junior Research Group Microbial Biotechnology, Leibniz Institute DSMZ—German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Pan Wu
- Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin, China
- College of Biotechnology, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin, China
| | - Yipei Zhao
- Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin, China
- College of Biotechnology, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin, China
| | - Weidong Liu
- Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin, China
| | - Meina Neumann-Schaal
- Research Group Metabolomics, Leibniz Institute DSMZ—German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Lara Pfaff
- Junior Research Group Plastic Biodegradation, Institute of Biochemistry, Department of Biotechnology and Enzyme Catalysis, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Justyna Barys
- Junior Research Group Microbial Biotechnology, Leibniz Institute DSMZ—German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Zhishuai Li
- Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin, China
| | - Jian Gao
- Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin, China
| | - Xu Han
- Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin, China
| | - Uwe T. Bornscheuer
- Department of Biotechnology and Enzyme Catalysis, Institute of Biochemistry, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Ren Wei
- Junior Research Group Plastic Biodegradation, Institute of Biochemistry, Department of Biotechnology and Enzyme Catalysis, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Başak Öztürk
- Junior Research Group Microbial Biotechnology, Leibniz Institute DSMZ—German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures, Braunschweig, Germany
- *Correspondence: Başak Öztürk,
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Bao R, Pu J, Xie C, Mehmood T, Chen W, Gao L, Lin W, Su Y, Lin X, Peng L. Aging of biodegradable blended plastic generates microplastics and attached bacterial communities in air and aqueous environments. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2022; 434:128891. [PMID: 35430459 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.128891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Revised: 04/06/2022] [Accepted: 04/08/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The use of biodegradable plastics (BPs) has been widely promoted in recent years, but before their complete degradation, the phase of microplastics (MPs) is inevitable. However, little information concerning the production of MPs from blended polymers is available. This study aimed to explore the characteristics of MPs produced from blended plastics and the development of biofilms on plastic surfaces under long-term aging. Here, three blended materials (i.e., PBAT (53%)+PLA (10%)+Starch (20%), PBAT (80%)+Starch (20%), HDPE (60%)+CaCO3 (40%)) were aged for 90 days in air, deionized (DI) water and seawater. The results showed massive production of MPs (9653 ± 3920-20,348 ± 5857 items/g) from blended plastics accompanied by a large quantity of flocculent substances during 90 days aging period. Furthermore, the richness of bacteria communities on hydrophobic plastics (i.e., PBAT (53%)+PLA (10%)+Starch (20%), PBAT (80%)+Starch (20%)) was higher than hydrophilic plastics (i.e., HDPE (60%)+CaCO3 (40%)), and bacterial communities attached to blended plastics exhibited significantly variation with aging times. Overall, promoting the marketable application of blended plastics is risky if their environmental behavior is not effectively addressed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruiqi Bao
- Key Laboratory of Agro-Forestry Environmental Processes and Ecological Regulation of Hainan Province (Hainan University), Haikou, Hainan Province 570228, PR China; College of Ecology and Environment, Hainan University, Haikou, Hainan Province 570228, PR China
| | - Jingrun Pu
- Key Laboratory of Agro-Forestry Environmental Processes and Ecological Regulation of Hainan Province (Hainan University), Haikou, Hainan Province 570228, PR China; College of Ecology and Environment, Hainan University, Haikou, Hainan Province 570228, PR China
| | - Chaolin Xie
- Key Laboratory of Agro-Forestry Environmental Processes and Ecological Regulation of Hainan Province (Hainan University), Haikou, Hainan Province 570228, PR China; College of Ecology and Environment, Hainan University, Haikou, Hainan Province 570228, PR China
| | - Tariq Mehmood
- Key Laboratory of Agro-Forestry Environmental Processes and Ecological Regulation of Hainan Province (Hainan University), Haikou, Hainan Province 570228, PR China; College of Ecology and Environment, Hainan University, Haikou, Hainan Province 570228, PR China
| | - Wei Chen
- Key Laboratory of Agro-Forestry Environmental Processes and Ecological Regulation of Hainan Province (Hainan University), Haikou, Hainan Province 570228, PR China; College of Ecology and Environment, Hainan University, Haikou, Hainan Province 570228, PR China
| | - Liu Gao
- Key Laboratory of Agro-Forestry Environmental Processes and Ecological Regulation of Hainan Province (Hainan University), Haikou, Hainan Province 570228, PR China; College of Ecology and Environment, Hainan University, Haikou, Hainan Province 570228, PR China
| | - Wenlu Lin
- Key Laboratory of Agro-Forestry Environmental Processes and Ecological Regulation of Hainan Province (Hainan University), Haikou, Hainan Province 570228, PR China; College of Ecology and Environment, Hainan University, Haikou, Hainan Province 570228, PR China
| | - Yuanyuan Su
- Key Laboratory of Agro-Forestry Environmental Processes and Ecological Regulation of Hainan Province (Hainan University), Haikou, Hainan Province 570228, PR China; College of Ecology and Environment, Hainan University, Haikou, Hainan Province 570228, PR China
| | - Xubing Lin
- Key Laboratory of Agro-Forestry Environmental Processes and Ecological Regulation of Hainan Province (Hainan University), Haikou, Hainan Province 570228, PR China; College of Ecology and Environment, Hainan University, Haikou, Hainan Province 570228, PR China
| | - Licheng Peng
- Key Laboratory of Agro-Forestry Environmental Processes and Ecological Regulation of Hainan Province (Hainan University), Haikou, Hainan Province 570228, PR China; College of Ecology and Environment, Hainan University, Haikou, Hainan Province 570228, PR China.
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Lin Y, Xie J, Xiang Q, Liu Y, Wang P, Wu Y, Zhou Y. Effect of propiconazole on plastic film microplastic degradation: Focusing on the change in microplastic morphology and heavy metal distribution. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 822:153609. [PMID: 35121034 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.153609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2021] [Revised: 01/03/2022] [Accepted: 01/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
With the rapid increase in the use of plastic films, microplastic (MP) pollution in agricultural soils has become a global environmental problem. Propiconazole is widely used in agriculture and horticulture; however, its role in plastic film degradation remains elusive. Butylene adipate-co-terephthalate (PBAT) and polyethylene (PE) films were used to analyze the effects of propiconazole on plastic film and MP degradation. We identified the surface morphologies of PBAT and PE at different propiconazole concentrations and soil pH values, as well as the adsorption and release characteristics of heavy metals during the degradation process via scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Propiconazole accelerated the degradation of MPs, adsorption of heavy metals (Ni and Zn), and release of Sn at low concentrations (≤40 mg/kg); however, these effects were evidently absent at a high concentration (120 mg/kg). Furthermore, MPs were more prone to degradation in acidic or alkaline soils than in neutral soil when they coexisted with propiconazole. Hence, we suggest that PBAT and PE plastic films may not be suitable for application in acidic and alkaline soils with propiconazole, because of shorter rupture time and more heavy metal adsorption. PBAT degraded faster, absorbed and released more heavy metals than PE. Under all tested conditions, the heavy metal contents in MPs gradually approached those in soil, which proves that MPs are carriers of heavy metal pollutants. These results may help in assessing the impact of MPs on soil environments and provide a theoretical basis for the standardized propiconazole and plastic film usage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yimiao Lin
- College of Chemical Engineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, China
| | - Jiafei Xie
- College of Chemical Engineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, China
| | - Qingqing Xiang
- College of Chemical Engineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, China
| | - Yi Liu
- College of Chemical Engineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, China
| | - Pingya Wang
- Zhoushan Institute for Food and Drug Control, Zhoushan 316012, China
| | - Yichun Wu
- Zhoushan Institute for Food and Drug Control, Zhoushan 316012, China
| | - Ying Zhou
- College of Chemical Engineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, China; Environmental Microplastic Pollution Research Center, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, China.
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40
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Haernvall K, Fladischer P, Schoeffmann H, Zitzenbacher S, Pavkov-Keller T, Gruber K, Schick M, Yamamoto M, Kuenkel A, Ribitsch D, Guebitz GM, Wiltschi B. Residue-Specific Incorporation of the Non-Canonical Amino Acid Norleucine Improves Lipase Activity on Synthetic Polyesters. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2022; 10:769830. [PMID: 35155387 PMCID: PMC8826565 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.769830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2021] [Accepted: 01/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Environmentally friendly functionalization and recycling processes for synthetic polymers have recently gained momentum, and enzymes play a central role in these procedures. However, natural enzymes must be engineered to accept synthetic polymers as substrates. To enhance the activity on synthetic polyesters, the canonical amino acid methionine in Thermoanaerobacter thermohydrosulfuricus lipase (TTL) was exchanged by the residue-specific incorporation method for the more hydrophobic non-canonical norleucine (Nle). Strutural modelling of TTL revealed that residues Met-114 and Met-142 are in close vicinity of the active site and their replacement by the norleucine could modulate the catalytic activity of the enzyme. Indeed, hydrolysis of the polyethylene terephthalate model substrate by the Nle variant resulted in significantly higher amounts of release products than the Met variant. A similar trend was observed for an ionic phthalic polyester containing a short alkyl diol (C5). Interestingly, a 50% increased activity was found for TTL [Nle] towards ionic phthalic polyesters containing different ether diols compared to the parent enzyme TTL [Met]. These findings clearly demonstrate the high potential of non-canonical amino acids for enzyme engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Patrik Fladischer
- Acib–Austrian Centre of Industrial Biotechnology, Graz, Austria
- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology, Graz University of Technology, Graz, Austria
| | | | | | - Tea Pavkov-Keller
- Acib–Austrian Centre of Industrial Biotechnology, Graz, Austria
- Institute of Molecular Biosciences, University of Graz, Graz, Austria
- BioTechMed-Graz, Graz, Austria
- Field of Excellence BioHealth—University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Karl Gruber
- Institute of Molecular Biosciences, University of Graz, Graz, Austria
- BioTechMed-Graz, Graz, Austria
- Field of Excellence BioHealth—University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | | | | | | | - Doris Ribitsch
- Acib–Austrian Centre of Industrial Biotechnology, Graz, Austria
- Institute for Environmental Biotechnology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria
- *Correspondence: Doris Ribitsch,
| | - Georg M. Guebitz
- Acib–Austrian Centre of Industrial Biotechnology, Graz, Austria
- Institute for Environmental Biotechnology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | - Birgit Wiltschi
- Acib–Austrian Centre of Industrial Biotechnology, Graz, Austria
- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology, Graz University of Technology, Graz, Austria
- BioTechMed-Graz, Graz, Austria
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Tiso T, Winter B, Wei R, Hee J, de Witt J, Wierckx N, Quicker P, Bornscheuer UT, Bardow A, Nogales J, Blank LM. The metabolic potential of plastics as biotechnological carbon sources - Review and targets for the future. Metab Eng 2021; 71:77-98. [PMID: 34952231 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymben.2021.12.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2021] [Revised: 12/15/2021] [Accepted: 12/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The plastic crisis requires drastic measures, especially for the plastics' end-of-life. Mixed plastic fractions are currently difficult to recycle, but microbial metabolism might open new pathways. With new technologies for degradation of plastics to oligo- and monomers, these carbon sources can be used in biotechnology for the upcycling of plastic waste to valuable products, such as bioplastics and biosurfactants. We briefly summarize well-known monomer degradation pathways and computed their theoretical yields for industrially interesting products. With this information in hand, we calculated replacement scenarios of existing fossil-based synthesis routes for the same products. Thereby, we highlight fossil-based products for which plastic monomers might be attractive alternative carbon sources. Notably, not the highest yield of product on substrate of the biochemical route, but rather the (in-)efficiency of the petrochemical routes (i.e., carbon, energy use) determines the potential of biochemical plastic upcycling. Our results might serve as a guide for future metabolic engineering efforts towards a sustainable plastic economy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Till Tiso
- Institute of Applied Microbiology - iAMB, Aachen Biology and Biotechnology - ABBt, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Benedikt Winter
- Energy & Process Systems Engineering, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; Institute of Technical Thermodynamics, RWTH Aachen University, Germany
| | - Ren Wei
- Department of Biotechnology and Enzyme Catalysis, Institute of Biochemistry, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Johann Hee
- Unit of Technology of Fuels, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Jan de Witt
- Institute of Bio- and Geosciences IBG-1: Biotechnology, Forschungszentrum Jülich, 52425, Jülich, Germany
| | - Nick Wierckx
- Institute of Bio- and Geosciences IBG-1: Biotechnology, Forschungszentrum Jülich, 52425, Jülich, Germany
| | - Peter Quicker
- Unit of Technology of Fuels, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Uwe T Bornscheuer
- Department of Biotechnology and Enzyme Catalysis, Institute of Biochemistry, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - André Bardow
- Energy & Process Systems Engineering, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; Institute of Technical Thermodynamics, RWTH Aachen University, Germany; Institute of Energy and Climate Research (IEK 10), Research Center Jülich GmbH, Germany
| | - Juan Nogales
- Department of Systems Biology, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología, CSIC, Madrid, Spain; Interdisciplinary Platform for Sustainable Plastics Towards a Circular Economy-Spanish National Research Council (SusPlast-CSIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Lars M Blank
- Institute of Applied Microbiology - iAMB, Aachen Biology and Biotechnology - ABBt, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany.
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Bhatt P, Pathak VM, Bagheri AR, Bilal M. Microplastic contaminants in the aqueous environment, fate, toxicity consequences, and remediation strategies. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2021; 200:111762. [PMID: 34310963 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.111762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2021] [Revised: 06/10/2021] [Accepted: 07/22/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Microplastic is a fragmented plastic part that emerges as a potential marine and terrestrial contaminant. The microplastic wastes in marine and soil environments cause severe problems in living systems. Microplastic wastes have been linked to various health problems, including reproductive harm and obesity, plus issues such as organ problems and developmental delays in children. Recycling plastic/microplastics from the environment is very low, so remediating these polymers after their utilization is of paramount concern. The microplastic causes severe toxic effects and contaminates the environment. Microplastic affects marine life, microorganism in soil, soil enzymes, plants system, and physicochemical properties. Ecotoxicology of the microplastic raised many questions about its use and development from the environment. Various physicochemical and microbial technologies have been developed for their remediation from the environment. The microplastic effects are linked with its concentration, size, and shape in contaminated environments. Microplastic is able to sorb the inorganic and organic contaminants and affect their fate into the contaminated sites. Microbial technology is considered safer for the remediation of the microplastics via its unique metabolic machinery. Bioplastic is regarded as safer and eco-friendly as compared to plastics. The review article explored an in-depth understanding of the microplastic, its fate, toxicity to the environment, and robust remediation strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pankaj Bhatt
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Microbial Signals and Disease Control, Integrative Microbiology Research Centre, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China; Guangdong Laboratory for Lingman Modern Agriculture, Guangzhou, 510642, China.
| | - Vinay Mohan Pathak
- Department of Microbiology, University of Delhi, South Campus, New Delhi, 110021, India; Department of Botany and Microbiology, Gurukul Kangri (Deemed to University), Haridwar, Uttarakhand, 249404, India
| | | | - Muhammad Bilal
- School of Life Science and Food Engineering, Huaiyin Institute of Technology, Huaian, 223003, China.
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Quartinello F, Kremser K, Schoen H, Tesei D, Ploszczanski L, Nagler M, Podmirseg SM, Insam H, Piñar G, Sterflingler K, Ribitsch D, Guebitz GM. Together Is Better: The Rumen Microbial Community as Biological Toolbox for Degradation of Synthetic Polyesters. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2021. [DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2021.684459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Graphical AbstractIdentfication of plastics degradation and microbial community analysis of Rumen.
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Ganesh Kumar A, Hinduja M, Sujitha K, Nivedha Rajan N, Dharani G. Biodegradation of polystyrene by deep-sea Bacillus paralicheniformis G1 and genome analysis. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 774:145002. [PMID: 33609820 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.145002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2020] [Revised: 12/11/2020] [Accepted: 12/31/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Polystyrene (PS) films were subjected to in vitro biodegradation by Bacillus paralicheniformis G1 (MN720578) isolated from 3538 m depth sediments of the Arabian Sea. The growth of the isolate was most favourable at pH 7.5, 30 °C and 4% salinity. A series of batch experiments were conducted to investigate the degradation of PS films up to 60 days. The results of this study indicated that the strain degraded 34% of PS film within 60 days of incubation. The complete genome sequence consists of 4,281,959 bp with 45.88% GC content and encodes 4213 protein coding genes. A high number of genes encoding monooxygenase, dioxygenase, peroxidase, esterase and hydrolase involved in the degradation of synthetic polymers were identified. Also genes associated with flagellum dependent motility, chemotaxis, biofilm formation and siderophores biosynthesis were identified in this deep-sea strain G1. This study suggests that B. paralicheniformis G1 could be a potential species for degradation of PS and its genome analysis provides insight into the molecular basis of biodegradation.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Ganesh Kumar
- Marine Biotechnology Division, National Institute of Ocean Technology, Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), Government of India, Chennai 600100, India.
| | - M Hinduja
- Marine Biotechnology Division, National Institute of Ocean Technology, Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), Government of India, Chennai 600100, India
| | - K Sujitha
- Marine Biotechnology Division, National Institute of Ocean Technology, Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), Government of India, Chennai 600100, India
| | - N Nivedha Rajan
- Marine Biotechnology Division, National Institute of Ocean Technology, Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), Government of India, Chennai 600100, India
| | - G Dharani
- Marine Biotechnology Division, National Institute of Ocean Technology, Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), Government of India, Chennai 600100, India
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Jia H, Zhang M, Weng Y, Zhao Y, Li C, Kanwal A. Degradation of poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) by Stenotrophomonas sp. YCJ1 isolated from farmland soil. J Environ Sci (China) 2021; 103:50-58. [PMID: 33743918 DOI: 10.1016/j.jes.2020.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2020] [Revised: 10/02/2020] [Accepted: 10/03/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
In recent years, poly (butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) has been widely used. However, PBAT-degrading bacteria have rarely been reported. PBAT-degrading bacteria were isolated from farmland soil and identified. The effects of growth factors on the degradation of PBAT and the lipase activity of PBAT-degrading bacteria were assessed. The degradation mechanism was analyzed using scanning electron microscopy, attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, proton nuclear magnetic resonance, X-ray diffraction, and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. The results showed that Stenotrophomonas sp. YCJ1 had a significant degrading effect on PBAT. Under certain conditions, the strain could secrete 10.53 U/mL of lipase activity and degrade 10.14 wt.% of PBAT films. The strain secreted lipase to catalyze the degradation of the ester bonds in PBAT, resulting in the production of degradation products such as terephthalic acid, 1,4-butanediol, and adipic acid. Furthermore, the degradation products could participate in the metabolism of YCJ1 as carbon sources to facilitate complete degradation of PBAT, indicating that the strain has potential value for the bioremediation of PBAT in the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Jia
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shaanxi University of Science and Technology, Xi'an 170021, China
| | - Min Zhang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shaanxi University of Science and Technology, Xi'an 170021, China.
| | - Yunxuan Weng
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Plastics Health and Safety Quality Evaluation Technology, Beijing Technology and Business University, Beijing 100048, China
| | - Yao Zhao
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shaanxi University of Science and Technology, Xi'an 170021, China
| | - Chengtao Li
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shaanxi University of Science and Technology, Xi'an 170021, China
| | - Aqsa Kanwal
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shaanxi University of Science and Technology, Xi'an 170021, China
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Han Y, Teng Y, Wang X, Ren W, Wang X, Luo Y, Zhang H, Christie P. Soil Type Driven Change in Microbial Community Affects Poly(butylene adipate- co-terephthalate) Degradation Potential. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2021; 55:4648-4657. [PMID: 33761242 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.0c04850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
Biodegradable mulch films have been developed as a suitable alternative to conventional nondegradable polyethylene films. However, the key factors controlling the degradation speed of biodegradable mulch films in soils remain unclear. Here, we linked changes in the soil microbiome with the degradation rate of a promising biodegradable material poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) in four soil types, a lou soil (LS), a fluvo-aquic soil (CS), a black soil (BS), and a red soil (RS), equivalent to Inceptisols (the first two soils), Mollisols, and Ultisols, using soil microcosms. The PBAT degradation rate differed with the soil type, with PBAT mineralization levels of 16, 9, 0.3, and 0.9% in LS, CS, BS, and RS, respectively, after 120 days. Metagenomic analysis showed that the microbial community in LS was more responsive to PBAT than the other three soils. PBAT hydrolase genes were significantly enriched in LS but were not significantly stimulated by PBAT in CS, BS, or RS. Several members of Proteobacteria were identified as novel potential degraders, and their enrichment extent was significantly positively correlated with PBAT degradation capacity. Overall, our results suggest that soil environments harbored a range of PBAT-degrading bacteria and the enrichment of potential degraders drives the fate of PBAT in the soils.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yujuan Han
- Key Laboratory of Soil Environment and Pollution Remediation, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Ying Teng
- Key Laboratory of Soil Environment and Pollution Remediation, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Xia Wang
- Key Laboratory of Soil Environment and Pollution Remediation, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210008, China
- University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Wenjie Ren
- Key Laboratory of Soil Environment and Pollution Remediation, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Xiaomi Wang
- Key Laboratory of Soil Environment and Pollution Remediation, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Yongming Luo
- Key Laboratory of Soil Environment and Pollution Remediation, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Huimin Zhang
- Shanghai Majorbio Bio-Pharm Technology Co., Ltd., Shanghai 201318, China
| | - Peter Christie
- Key Laboratory of Soil Environment and Pollution Remediation, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210008, China
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Zhu B, Wang D, Wei N. Enzyme Discovery and Engineering for Sustainable Plastic Recycling. Trends Biotechnol 2021; 40:22-37. [PMID: 33676748 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2021.02.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2020] [Revised: 02/09/2021] [Accepted: 02/10/2021] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
The drastically increasing amount of plastic waste is causing an environmental crisis that requires innovative technologies for recycling post-consumer plastics to achieve waste valorization while meeting environmental quality goals. Biocatalytic depolymerization mediated by enzymes has emerged as an efficient and sustainable alternative for plastic treatment and recycling. A variety of plastic-degrading enzymes have been discovered from microbial sources. Meanwhile, protein engineering has been exploited to modify and optimize plastic-degrading enzymes. This review highlights the recent trends and up-to-date advances in mining novel plastic-degrading enzymes through state-of-the-art omics-based techniques and improving the enzyme catalytic efficiency and stability via various protein engineering strategies. Future research prospects and challenges are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baotong Zhu
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences, University of Notre Dame, 156 Fitzpatrick Hall, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556, USA
| | - Dong Wang
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, University of Notre Dame, 156 Fitzpatrick Hall, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556, USA
| | - Na Wei
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences, University of Notre Dame, 156 Fitzpatrick Hall, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556, USA.
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Soulenthone P, Tachibana Y, Suzuki M, Mizuno T, Ohta Y, Kasuya KI. Characterization of a poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) hydrolase from the mesophilic actinobacteria Rhodococcus fascians. Polym Degrad Stab 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2021.109481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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Mohanan N, Montazer Z, Sharma PK, Levin DB. Microbial and Enzymatic Degradation of Synthetic Plastics. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:580709. [PMID: 33324366 PMCID: PMC7726165 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.580709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 265] [Impact Index Per Article: 66.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2020] [Accepted: 10/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Synthetic plastics are pivotal in our current lifestyle and therefore, its accumulation is a major concern for environment and human health. Petroleum-derived (petro-)polymers such as polyethylene (PE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyurethane (PU), polystyrene (PS), polypropylene (PP), and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) are extremely recalcitrant to natural biodegradation pathways. Some microorganisms with the ability to degrade petro-polymers under in vitro conditions have been isolated and characterized. In some cases, the enzymes expressed by these microbes have been cloned and sequenced. The rate of polymer biodegradation depends on several factors including chemical structures, molecular weights, and degrees of crystallinity. Polymers are large molecules having both regular crystals (crystalline region) and irregular groups (amorphous region), where the latter provides polymers with flexibility. Highly crystalline polymers like polyethylene (95%), are rigid with a low capacity to resist impacts. PET-based plastics possess a high degree of crystallinity (30-50%), which is one of the principal reasons for their low rate of microbial degradation, which is projected to take more than 50 years for complete degraded in the natural environment, and hundreds of years if discarded into the oceans, due to their lower temperature and oxygen availability. The enzymatic degradation occurs in two stages: adsorption of enzymes on the polymer surface, followed by hydro-peroxidation/hydrolysis of the bonds. The sources of plastic-degrading enzymes can be found in microorganisms from various environments as well as digestive intestine of some invertebrates. Microbial and enzymatic degradation of waste petro-plastics is a promising strategy for depolymerization of waste petro-plastics into polymer monomers for recycling, or to covert waste plastics into higher value bioproducts, such as biodegradable polymers via mineralization. The objective of this review is to outline the advances made in the microbial degradation of synthetic plastics and, overview the enzymes involved in biodegradation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nisha Mohanan
- Department of Biosystems Engineering, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Zahra Montazer
- Faculty of Food Engineering, The Educational Complex of Agriculture and Animal Science, Torbat-e-jam, Iran
| | - Parveen K. Sharma
- Department of Biosystems Engineering, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - David B. Levin
- Department of Biosystems Engineering, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
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Synergistic biodegradation of aromatic-aliphatic copolyester plastic by a marine microbial consortium. Nat Commun 2020; 11:5790. [PMID: 33188179 PMCID: PMC7666164 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-19583-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2020] [Accepted: 10/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The degradation of synthetic polymers by marine microorganisms is not as well understood as the degradation of plastics in soil and compost. Here, we use metagenomics, metatranscriptomics and metaproteomics to study the biodegradation of an aromatic-aliphatic copolyester blend by a marine microbial enrichment culture. The culture can use the plastic film as the sole carbon source, reaching maximum conversion to CO2 and biomass in around 15 days. The consortium degrades the polymer synergistically, with different degradation steps being performed by different community members. We identify six putative PETase-like enzymes and four putative MHETase-like enzymes, with the potential to degrade aliphatic-aromatic polymers and their degradation products, respectively. Our results show that, although there are multiple genes and organisms with the potential to perform each degradation step, only a few are active during biodegradation. The degradation of plastics by marine microbes is not well understood. Here, Meyer-Cifuentes et al. use a meta-omics approach to study the biodegradation of an aromatic-aliphatic copolyester blend by a marine microbial enrichment culture, showing that different degradation steps are performed by different microorganisms.
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