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Tian H, Du Y, Luo X, Dong J, Chen S, Hu X, Zhang M, Liu Z, Abolfathi S. Understanding visible light and microbe-driven degradation mechanisms of polyurethane plastics: Pathways, property changes, and product analysis. WATER RESEARCH 2024; 259:121856. [PMID: 38875861 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2024.121856] [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: 12/18/2023] [Revised: 05/20/2024] [Accepted: 05/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/16/2024]
Abstract
The accumulation of polyurethane plastics (PU-PS) in the environment is on the rise, posing potential risks to the health and function of ecosystems. However, little is known about the degradation behavior of PU-PS in the environment, especially water environment. To address this knowledge gap, we investigated and isolated a degrading strain of Streptomyces sp. B2 from the surface of polyurethane coatings. Subsequently, a photoreactor was employed to simulate the degradation process of bio-based polyurethane (BPU) and petroleum-based polyurethane (PPU) under three conditions, including single microorganism (SM), single light exposure (SL), and combined light exposure/microorganism action (ML) in aqueous solution. The results indicated that PU-PS mainly relies on biodegradation, with the highest degradation rate observed after 28 d under SM condition (BPU 5.69 %; PPU 5.25 %). SL inhibited microbial growth and degradation, with the least impact on plastic degradation. Microorganisms colonized the plastic surface, secreting relevant hydrolytic enzymes and organic acids into the culture medium, providing a negative charge. The carbon chains were broken and aged through hydrogen peroxide induction or attack by oxygen free radicals. This process promoted the formation of oxidized functional groups such as OH and CO, disrupting the polymer's structure. Consequently, localized fragmentation and erosion of the microstructure occurred, resulting in the generation of secondary microplastic (MPs) particles, weight loss of the original plastic, increased surface roughness, and enhanced hydrophilicity. Additionally, BPU exhibited greater degradability than PPU, as microorganisms could utilize the produced fatty acids, which promoted their reproduction. In contrast, PPU degradation generated a large amount of isocyanate, potentially toxic to cells and inhibiting biodegradation. This study unveils the significant role of microorganisms in plastic degradation and the underlying degradation mechanisms of BPU, providing a novel strategy for polyurethane degradation and valuable information for comprehensive assessment of the behavior and fate of MPs in the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongyu Tian
- National Engineering Research Center for Efficient Utilization of Soil and Fertilizer Resources, College of Recourses and Environment, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, Shandong 271018, China
| | - Yuping Du
- National Engineering Research Center for Efficient Utilization of Soil and Fertilizer Resources, College of Recourses and Environment, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, Shandong 271018, China
| | - Xinyu Luo
- National Engineering Research Center for Efficient Utilization of Soil and Fertilizer Resources, College of Recourses and Environment, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, Shandong 271018, China
| | - Jingjing Dong
- National Engineering Research Center for Efficient Utilization of Soil and Fertilizer Resources, College of Recourses and Environment, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, Shandong 271018, China
| | - Siyu Chen
- National Engineering Research Center for Efficient Utilization of Soil and Fertilizer Resources, College of Recourses and Environment, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, Shandong 271018, China
| | - Xiaomin Hu
- National Engineering Research Center for Efficient Utilization of Soil and Fertilizer Resources, College of Recourses and Environment, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, Shandong 271018, China
| | - Min Zhang
- National Engineering Research Center for Efficient Utilization of Soil and Fertilizer Resources, College of Recourses and Environment, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, Shandong 271018, China
| | - Zhiguang Liu
- National Engineering Research Center for Efficient Utilization of Soil and Fertilizer Resources, College of Recourses and Environment, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, Shandong 271018, China.
| | - Soroush Abolfathi
- School of Engineering, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV47AL, United Kingdom
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Jiang Z, Chen X, Xue H, Li Z, Lei J, Yu M, Yan X, Cao H, Zhou J, Liu J, Zheng M, Dong W, Li Y, Cui Z. Novel polyurethane-degrading cutinase BaCut1 from Blastobotrys sp. G-9 with potential role in plastic bio-recycling. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 472:134493. [PMID: 38696960 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.134493] [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: 02/20/2024] [Revised: 04/28/2024] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/04/2024]
Abstract
Environmental pollution caused by plastic waste has become global problem that needs to be considered urgently. In the pursuit of a circular plastic economy, biodegradation provides an attractive strategy for managing plastic wastes, whereas effective plastic-degrading microbes and enzymes are required. In this study, we report that Blastobotrys sp. G-9 isolated from discarded plastic in landfills is capable of depolymerizing polyurethanes (PU) and poly (butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT). Strain G-9 degrades up to 60% of PU foam after 21 days of incubation at 28 ℃ by breaking down carbonyl groups via secretory hydrolase as confirmed by structural characterization of plastics and degradation products identification. Within the supernatant of strain G-9, we identify a novel cutinase BaCut1, belonging to the esterase family, that can reproduce the same effect. BaCut1 demonstrates efficient degradation toward commercial polyester plastics PU foam (0.5 mg enzyme/25 mg plastic) and agricultural film PBAT (0.5 mg enzyme/10 mg plastic) with 50% and 18% weight loss at 37 ℃ for 48 h, respectively. BaCut1 hydrolyzes PU into adipic acid as a major end-product with 42.9% recovery via ester bond cleavage, and visible biodegradation is also identified from PBAT, which is a beneficial feature for future recycling economy. Molecular docking, along with products distribution, elucidates a special substrate-binding modes of BaCut1 with plastic substrate analogue. BaCut1-mediated polyester plastic degradation offers an alternative approach for managing PU plastic wastes through possible bio-recycling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhitong Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Environmental Microbiology, Ministry of Agriculture, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, PR China
| | - Xue Chen
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Environmental Microbiology, Ministry of Agriculture, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, PR China
| | - Huizhen Xue
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Environmental Microbiology, Ministry of Agriculture, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, PR China
| | - Zhoukun Li
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Environmental Microbiology, Ministry of Agriculture, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, PR China; Jiangsu Provincial Key Lab for Solid Organic Waste Utilization, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, PR China.
| | - Jinhui Lei
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Environmental Microbiology, Ministry of Agriculture, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, PR China
| | - Muming Yu
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Environmental Microbiology, Ministry of Agriculture, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, PR China
| | - Xin Yan
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Environmental Microbiology, Ministry of Agriculture, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, PR China
| | - Hui Cao
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Environmental Microbiology, Ministry of Agriculture, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, PR China
| | - Jie Zhou
- Key Laboratory for Waste Plastics Biocatalytic Degradation and Recycling, College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 211800, PR China
| | - Jiawei Liu
- Key Laboratory for Waste Plastics Biocatalytic Degradation and Recycling, College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 211800, PR China
| | - Mingna Zheng
- Environment Research Institute, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, PR China
| | - Weiliang Dong
- Key Laboratory for Waste Plastics Biocatalytic Degradation and Recycling, College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 211800, PR China.
| | - Yanwei Li
- Environment Research Institute, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, PR China.
| | - Zhongli Cui
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Environmental Microbiology, Ministry of Agriculture, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, PR China; Jiangsu Provincial Key Lab for Solid Organic Waste Utilization, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, PR China; Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, PR China
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3
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Salgado CA, Pereira Vidigal PM, Dantas Vanetti MC. Biodegradation of polyurethanes by Staphylococcus warneri and by microbial co-culture. CHEMOSPHERE 2024; 359:142169. [PMID: 38710416 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.142169] [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: 08/07/2023] [Revised: 03/06/2024] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/08/2024]
Abstract
With the increasing production and use of polyurethanes (PUs), it is necessary to develop sustainable techniques for the remediation of plastic pollution. The use of microorganisms capable of biodegrading PUs may be an environmentally desirable solution for controlling these plastic contaminants. To contribute to the discovery of alternatives for the mitigation of plastics in the environment, this study aimed to explore the potential of StaphylococcuswarneriUFV_01.21, isolated from the gut of Galleria mellonellalarvae, for biodegradation of PU in pure culture and microbial co-culture with Serratia liquefaciensL135. S. warneri grew using Impranil® PU as the sole carbon source in pure culture and co-culture. With six days of incubation, the biodegradation of Impranil® in Luria Bertani broth was 96, 88 and 76%, while in minimal medium, it was 58, 54 and 42% for S. warneri, S. liquefaciens, and co-culture, respectively. In addition, S. warneri in pure culture or co-culture was able to biodegrade, adhere and form biofilms on the surfaces of Impranil® disks and poly[4,4'-methylenebis (phenyl isocyanate)-alt-1,4-butanediol/di(propylene glycol)/polycaprolactone] (PCLMDI) films. Scanning electron microscopy also revealed biodegradation by detecting the formation of cracks, furrows, pores, and roughness on the surfaces of inoculated PU, both with pure culture and microbial co-culture. This study is the first to demonstrate the potential of S. warneriin PU biodegradation.
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Profitiliotis T, Koltsakidis S, Tsongas K, Tzetzis D. Innovative Design of a 3D Printed Esophageal Stent Inspired by Nature: Mitigating Migration Challenges in Palliative Esophageal Cancer Therapy. Biomimetics (Basel) 2024; 9:359. [PMID: 38921239 PMCID: PMC11201459 DOI: 10.3390/biomimetics9060359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2024] [Revised: 06/08/2024] [Accepted: 06/11/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Esophageal cancer is a complex and challenging tumor to treat, with esophageal stenting being used as a palliative measure to improve the quality of life of patients. Self-expandable metal stents (SEMS), self-expandable plastic stents (SEPS), and biodegradable stents are the most commonly used types of stents. However, complications can arise, such as migration, bleeding, and perforation. To address issues of migration, this study developed a novel 3D printed bioinspired esophageal stent utilizing a highly flexible and ductile TPU material. The stent was designed to be self-expanding and tubular with flared ends to provide secure anchorage at both the proximal and distal ends of the structure. Suction cups were strategically placed around the shaft of the stent to prevent migration. The stent was evaluated through compression-recovery, self-expansion, and anti-migration tests to evaluate its recovery properties, self-expansion ability, and anchoring ability, respectively. The results indicated that the novel stent was able to recover its shape, expand, keep the esophagus open, and resist migration, demonstrating its potential for further research and clinical applications. Finite element analysis (FEA) was leveraged to analyze the stent's mechanical behavior, providing insights into its structural integrity, self-expansion capability, and resistance against migration. These results, supported by FEA, highlight the potential of this innovative stent for further research and its eventual application in preclinical settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Profitiliotis
- Digital Manufacturing and Materials Characterization Laboratory, School of Science and Technology, International Hellenic University, 57001 Thermi, Greece
| | - Savvas Koltsakidis
- Digital Manufacturing and Materials Characterization Laboratory, School of Science and Technology, International Hellenic University, 57001 Thermi, Greece
| | - Konstantinos Tsongas
- Department of Industrial Engineering and Management, School of Engineering, International Hellenic University, 57400 Thessaloniki, Greece;
| | - Dimitrios Tzetzis
- Digital Manufacturing and Materials Characterization Laboratory, School of Science and Technology, International Hellenic University, 57001 Thermi, Greece
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Polo ML, Russell-White K, Vaillard SE, Ríos L, Meira GR, Estenoz DA, Spontón ME. Bio-based polyester-polyurethane foams: synthesis and degradability by Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus clavatus. Biodegradation 2024; 35:315-327. [PMID: 37987936 DOI: 10.1007/s10532-023-10059-w] [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: 12/15/2021] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Abstract
In this article, the degradability by Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus clavatus of three bio-based polyurethane (PU) foams is compared to previous degradability studies involving a Pseudomonas sp. bacterium and similar initial materials (Spontón et al. in Int. Biodet. Biodeg. 85:85-94, 2013, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ibiod.2013.05.019 ). First, three new polyester-polyurethane foams were prepared from mixtures of castor oil (CO), maleated castor oil (MACO), toluene diisocyanate (TDI), and water. Then, their degradation tests were carried out in an aqueous medium, and employing the two mentioned fungi, after their isolation from the environment. From the degradation tests, the following was observed: (a) the insoluble (and slightly collapsed) foams exhibited free hydroxyl, carboxyl, and amine moieties; and (b) the water soluble (and low molar mass) compounds contained amines, carboxylic acids, and glycerol. The most degraded foam contained the highest amount of MACO, and therefore the highest concentration of hydrolytic bonds. A basic biodegradation mechanism was proposed that involves hydrolysis and oxidation reactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mara L Polo
- Instituto de Desarrollo Tecnológico para la Industria Química (INTEC), UNL-CONICET, Ruta Nacional 168, Km. 0 - Paraje "El Pozo", 3000, Santa Fe, Argentina
- Facultad de Ingeniería Química, Universidad Nacional del Litoral (UNL), Santiago del Estero 2829, 3000, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Karen Russell-White
- Facultad de Ingeniería Química, Universidad Nacional del Litoral (UNL), Santiago del Estero 2829, 3000, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Santiago E Vaillard
- Instituto de Desarrollo Tecnológico para la Industria Química (INTEC), UNL-CONICET, Ruta Nacional 168, Km. 0 - Paraje "El Pozo", 3000, Santa Fe, Argentina
- Facultad de Ingeniería Química, Universidad Nacional del Litoral (UNL), Santiago del Estero 2829, 3000, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Luis Ríos
- Universidad de Antioquia, Calle 62 #52-59, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Gregorio R Meira
- Instituto de Desarrollo Tecnológico para la Industria Química (INTEC), UNL-CONICET, Ruta Nacional 168, Km. 0 - Paraje "El Pozo", 3000, Santa Fe, Argentina
- Facultad de Ingeniería Química, Universidad Nacional del Litoral (UNL), Santiago del Estero 2829, 3000, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Diana A Estenoz
- Instituto de Desarrollo Tecnológico para la Industria Química (INTEC), UNL-CONICET, Ruta Nacional 168, Km. 0 - Paraje "El Pozo", 3000, Santa Fe, Argentina
- Facultad de Ingeniería Química, Universidad Nacional del Litoral (UNL), Santiago del Estero 2829, 3000, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Marisa E Spontón
- Instituto de Desarrollo Tecnológico para la Industria Química (INTEC), UNL-CONICET, Ruta Nacional 168, Km. 0 - Paraje "El Pozo", 3000, Santa Fe, Argentina.
- Facultad de Ingeniería Química, Universidad Nacional del Litoral (UNL), Santiago del Estero 2829, 3000, Santa Fe, Argentina.
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6
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Rajan A, Ameen F, Jambulingam R, Shankar V. Biodegradation of Polyurethane by Fungi Isolated from Industrial Wastewater-A Sustainable Approach to Plastic Waste Management. Polymers (Basel) 2024; 16:1411. [PMID: 38794604 PMCID: PMC11125171 DOI: 10.3390/polym16101411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2024] [Revised: 04/27/2024] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Polyurethane (PU) is a type of polymer, which exists in various forms in the environment. Very few studies are available concerning the structure or enzymatic mechanism of the microbial community, which can degrade PU. Degradation of PU remains a difficult problem with respect to the environmental and biological disciplines. This study mainly focused on identifying the micro-organisms able to degrade polyurethane and confirming the degradation by performing a plate assay, Sturm test and scanning electron microscopy. Optimal culture conditions for maximum PU degradation were also analyzed through classical methods. A soil burial test was conducted by placing polyurethane films in the soil for one month, and the microbe growing on the surface of polyurethane films-with a maximum degradation of 55%-was isolated and identified as Aspergillus versicolor (ARF5). The culture medium was also optimized with different physical and chemical parameters for maximum PU degradation. The presence of CO2 as a by-product of PU biodegradation was confirmed through the Sturm test.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aiswarya Rajan
- School of Biosciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore 632014, India
| | - Fuad Ameen
- Department of Botany and Microbiology, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ranjitha Jambulingam
- CO2 Research and Green Technologies Center, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore 632014, India
| | - Vijayalakshmi Shankar
- CO2 Research and Green Technologies Center, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore 632014, India
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Ji J, Pei J, Ding F, Zeng C, Zhou J, Dong W, Cui Z, Yan X. Isolation and characterization of polyester polyurethane-degrading bacterium Bacillus sp. YXP1. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 249:118468. [PMID: 38354881 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.118468] [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: 09/12/2023] [Revised: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 02/10/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024]
Abstract
Microorganisms have the potential to be applied for the degradation or depolymerization of polyurethane (PU) and other plastic waste, which have attracted global attention. The appropriate strain or enzyme that can effectively degrade PU is the key to treat PU plastic wastes by biological methods. Here, a polyester PU-degrading bacterium Bacillus sp. YXP1 was isolated and identified from a plastic landfill. Three PU substrates with increasing structure complexities, including Impranil DLN, poly (1,4-butylene adipate)-based PU (PBA-PU), and polyester PU foam, were used to evaluate the degradation capacity of Bacillus sp. YXP1. Under optimal conditions, strain YXP1 could completely degrade 0.5% Impranil DLN within 7 days. After 30 days, the weight loss of polyester PU foam by strain YXP1 was as high as 42.1%. In addition, PBA-PU was applied for degradation pathway analysis due to its clear composition and chemical structure. Five degradation intermediates of PBA-PU were identified, including 4,4'-methylenedianiline (MDA), 1,4-butanediol, adipic acid, and two MDA derivates, indicating that strain YXP1 could depolymerize PBA-PU by the hydrolysis of ester and urethane bonds. Furthermore, the extracellular enzymes produced by strain YXP1 could hydrolyze PBA-PU to generate MDA. Together, this study provides a potential bacterium for the biological treatment of PU plastic wastes and for the mining of functional enzymes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junbin Ji
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Environmental Microbiology, Ministry of Agriculture, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210095, China; Nanjing Key Laboratory of Quality and Safety of Agricultural Products, College of Food Science, Nanjing XiaoZhuang University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211171, China
| | - Jing Pei
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Environmental Microbiology, Ministry of Agriculture, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210095, China
| | - Fanghui Ding
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Environmental Microbiology, Ministry of Agriculture, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210095, China
| | - Caiting Zeng
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Environmental Microbiology, Ministry of Agriculture, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210095, China
| | - Jie Zhou
- Key Laboratory for Waste Plastics Biocatalytic Degradation and Recycling, College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, 211800, China
| | - Weiliang Dong
- Key Laboratory for Waste Plastics Biocatalytic Degradation and Recycling, College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, 211800, China
| | - Zhongli Cui
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Environmental Microbiology, Ministry of Agriculture, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210095, China
| | - Xin Yan
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Environmental Microbiology, Ministry of Agriculture, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210095, China.
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Liu J, Xin K, Zhang T, Wen Y, Li D, Wei R, Zhou J, Cui Z, Dong W, Jiang M. Identification and characterization of a fungal cutinase-like enzyme CpCut1 from Cladosporium sp. P7 for polyurethane degradation. Appl Environ Microbiol 2024; 90:e0147723. [PMID: 38445906 PMCID: PMC11022569 DOI: 10.1128/aem.01477-23] [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: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Plastic degradation by biological systems emerges as a prospective avenue for addressing the pressing global concern of plastic waste accumulation. The intricate chemical compositions and diverse structural facets inherent to polyurethanes (PU) substantially increase the complexity associated with PU waste management. Despite the extensive research endeavors spanning over decades, most known enzymes exhibit a propensity for hydrolyzing waterborne PU dispersion (i.e., the commercial Impranil DLN-SD), with only a limited capacity for the degradation of bulky PU materials. Here, we report a novel cutinase (CpCut1) derived from Cladosporium sp. P7, which demonstrates remarkable efficiency in the degrading of various polyester-PU materials. After 12-h incubation at 55°C, CpCut1 was capable of degrading 40.5% and 20.6% of thermoplastic PU film and post-consumer foam, respectively, while achieving complete depolymerization of Impranil DLN-SD. Further analysis of the degradation intermediates suggested that the activity of CpCut1 primarily targeted the ester bonds within the PU soft segments. The versatile performance of CpCut1 against a spectrum of polyester-PU materials positions it as a promising candidate for the bio-recycling of waste plastics.IMPORTANCEPolyurethane (PU) has a complex chemical composition that frequently incorporates a variety of additives, which poses significant obstacles to biodegradability and recyclability. Recent advances have unveiled microbial degradation and enzymatic depolymerization as promising waste PU disposal strategies. In this study, we identified a gene encoding a cutinase from the PU-degrading fungus Cladosporium sp. P7, which allowed the expression, purification, and characterization of the recombinant enzyme CpCut1. Furthermore, this study identified the products derived from the CpCut1 catalyzed PU degradation and proposed its underlying mechanism. These findings highlight the potential of this newly discovered fungal cutinase as a remarkably efficient tool in the degradation of PU materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiawei Liu
- Key Laboratory for Waste Plastics Biocatalytic Degradation and Recycling, College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, China
| | - Kaiyuan Xin
- Key Laboratory for Waste Plastics Biocatalytic Degradation and Recycling, College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, China
| | - Tianyang Zhang
- Key Laboratory for Waste Plastics Biocatalytic Degradation and Recycling, College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yuan Wen
- Key Laboratory for Waste Plastics Biocatalytic Degradation and Recycling, College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, China
| | - Ding Li
- Institute of Veterinary Immunology & Engineering, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing, China
| | - Ren Wei
- Junior Research Group Plastic Biodegradation, Department of Biotechnology and Enzyme Catalysis, Institute of Biochemistry, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Jie Zhou
- Key Laboratory for Waste Plastics Biocatalytic Degradation and Recycling, College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, China
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhongli Cui
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Environmental Microbiology, Ministry of Agriculture, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Weiliang Dong
- Key Laboratory for Waste Plastics Biocatalytic Degradation and Recycling, College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, China
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, China
| | - Min Jiang
- Key Laboratory for Waste Plastics Biocatalytic Degradation and Recycling, College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, China
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, China
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Xin K, Lu J, Zeng Q, Zhang T, Liu J, Zhou J, Dong W, Jiang M. Depolymerization of the polyester-polyurethane by amidase GatA250 and enhancing the production of 4,4'-methylenedianiline with cutinase LCC. Biotechnol J 2024; 19:e2300723. [PMID: 38622797 DOI: 10.1002/biot.202300723] [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: 12/22/2023] [Revised: 03/01/2024] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/17/2024]
Abstract
Polyurethane (PU) is a complex polymer synthesized from polyols and isocyanates. It contains urethane bonds that resist hydrolysis, which decreases the efficiency of biodegradation. In this study, we first expressed the amidase GatA250, and then, assessed the enzymatic characterization of GatA250 and its efficiency in degrading the polyester-PU. GatA250 degraded self-synthesized thermoplastic PU film and postconsumption foam with degradation efficiency of 8.17% and 4.29%, respectively. During the degradation, the film released 14.8 µm 4,4'-methylenedianiline (MDA), but 1,4-butanediol (BDO) and adipic acid (AA) were not released. Our findings indicated that GatA250 only cleaved urethane bonds in PU, and the degradation efficiency was extremely low. Hence, we introduced the cutinase LCC, which possesses hydrolytic activity on the ester bonds in PU, and then used both enzymes simultaneously to degrade the polyester-PU. The combined system (LCC-GatA250) had higher degradation efficiency for the degradation of PU film (42.2%) and foam (13.94%). The combined system also showed a 1.80 time increase in the production of the monomer MDA, and a 1.23 and 3.62 times increase in the production of AA and BDO, respectively, compared to their production recorded after treatment with only GatA250 or LCC. This study provides valuable insights into PU pollution control and also proposes applicable solutions to manage PU wastes through bio-recycling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaiyuan Xin
- Key Laboratory for Waste Plastics Biocatalytic Degradation and Recycling, College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, P.R. China
| | - Jianqi Lu
- Key Laboratory for Waste Plastics Biocatalytic Degradation and Recycling, College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, P.R. China
| | - Qingyi Zeng
- Key Laboratory for Waste Plastics Biocatalytic Degradation and Recycling, College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, P.R. China
| | - Tianyang Zhang
- Key Laboratory for Waste Plastics Biocatalytic Degradation and Recycling, College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, P.R. China
| | - Jiawei Liu
- Key Laboratory for Waste Plastics Biocatalytic Degradation and Recycling, College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, P.R. China
- Jiangsu National Synergetic Innovation Center, for Advanced Materials (SICAM), Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, P.R. China
| | - Jie Zhou
- Key Laboratory for Waste Plastics Biocatalytic Degradation and Recycling, College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, P.R. China
- Jiangsu National Synergetic Innovation Center, for Advanced Materials (SICAM), Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, P.R. China
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, P.R. China
| | - Weiliang Dong
- Key Laboratory for Waste Plastics Biocatalytic Degradation and Recycling, College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, P.R. China
- Jiangsu National Synergetic Innovation Center, for Advanced Materials (SICAM), Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, P.R. China
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, P.R. China
| | - Min Jiang
- Key Laboratory for Waste Plastics Biocatalytic Degradation and Recycling, College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, P.R. China
- Jiangsu National Synergetic Innovation Center, for Advanced Materials (SICAM), Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, P.R. China
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, P.R. China
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10
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Vilanova A, Dias P, Lopes T, Mendes A. The route for commercial photoelectrochemical water splitting: a review of large-area devices and key upscaling challenges. Chem Soc Rev 2024; 53:2388-2434. [PMID: 38288870 DOI: 10.1039/d1cs01069g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
Green-hydrogen is considered a "key player" in the energy market for the upcoming decades. Among currently available hydrogen (H2) production processes, photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting has one of the lowest environmental impacts. However, it still presents prohibitively high production costs compared to more mature technologies, such as steam methane reforming. Therefore, the competitiveness of PEC water splitting must rely on its environmental and functional advantages, which are strongly linked to the reactor design, to the intrinsic properties of its components, and to their successful upscaling. This review gives special attention to the engineering aspects and categorizes PEC devices into four main types, according to the configuration of electrodes and strategies for gas separation: wired back-to-back, wireless back-to-back, wired side-by-side, and wired separated electrode membrane-free. Independently of the device architecture, the use of concentrated sunlight was found to be mandatory for achieving competitive green-H2 production. Additionally, feasible strategies for upscaling the key components of PEC devices, especially photoelectrodes, are urgently needed. In a pragmatic context, the way to move forward is to accept that PEC devices will operate close to their thermodynamic limits at large-scale, which requires a solid convergence between academics and industry. Research efforts must be redirected to: (i) build and demonstrate modular devices with a low-cost and highly recyclable embodiment; (ii) optimize thermal and power management; (iii) reduce ohmic losses; (iv) enhance the chemical stability towards a thousand hours; (v) couple solar concentrators with PEC devices; (vi) boost PEC-H2 production through the use of organic compounds; and (vii) reach consensual standardized methods for evaluating PEC devices, at both environmental and techno-economic levels. If these targets are not met in the next few years, the feasibility of PEC-H2 production and its acceptance by industry and by the general public will be seriously compromised.
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Affiliation(s)
- António Vilanova
- LEPABE - Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal.
- INL - International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory, Avenida Mestre José Veiga, 4715-330, Braga, Portugal
| | - Paula Dias
- LEPABE - Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal.
| | - Tânia Lopes
- LEPABE - Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal.
| | - Adélio Mendes
- LEPABE - Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal.
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11
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Skleničková K, Suchopárová E, Abbrent S, Pokorný V, Kočková O, Nevoralová M, Cajthaml T, Strejček M, Uhlík O, Halecký M, Beneš H. Biodegradation of aliphatic polyurethane foams in soil: Influence of amide linkages and supramolecular structure. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 912:169062. [PMID: 38061651 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.169062] [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: 08/18/2023] [Revised: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2024]
Abstract
Polyurethane (PU) foams are classified as physically nonrecyclable thermosets. The current effort of sustainable and eco-friendly production makes it essential to explore methods of better waste management, for instance by modifying the structure of these frequently used polymers to enhance their microbial degradability. The presence of ester links is known to be a crucial prerequisite for the biodegradability of PU foams. However, the impact of other hydrolysable groups (urethane, urea and amide) occurred in PU materials, as well as the supramolecular structure of the PU network and the cellular morphology of PU foams, is still relatively unexplored. In this work, fully aliphatic PU foams with and without hydrolyzable amide linkages were prepared and their aerobic biodegradation was investigated using a six-month soil burial test. Besides the variable chemical composition of the PU foams, the influence of their different supramolecular arrangement and cellular morphologies on the extent of biodegradation was also evaluated. Throughout the soil burial test, the release of carbon dioxide, and enzyme activities of proteases, esterases, and ureases were measured. At the same time, phospho-lipid fatty acids (PLFA) analysis was conducted together with an assessment of microbial community composition achieved by analysing the genetic information from the 16S rRNA gene and ITS2 region sequencing. The results revealed a mineralization rate of 30-50 % for the PU foams, indicating a significant level of degradation as well as indicating that PU foams can be utilized by soil microorganisms as a source of both energy and nutrients. Importantly, microbial biomass remained unaffected, suggesting that there was no toxicity associated with the degradation products of the PU foams. It was further confirmed that ester linkages in PU foam structure were easily enzymatically cleavable, while amide linkages were not prone to degradation by soil microorganisms. In addition, it was shown that the presence of amide linkages in PU foam leads to a change in the supramolecular network arrangement due to increased content of hard segments, which in turn reduces the biodegradability of PU foam. These findings show that it is important to consider both chemical composition and supramolecular/macroscopic structure when designing new PU materials in an effort to develop environmentally friendly alternatives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kateřina Skleničková
- Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, Heyrovského nám. 2, Prague 6 162 06, Czech Republic; Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Faculty of Food and Biochemical Technology, University of Chemistry and Technology Prague, Technická 5, Prague 6 166 28, Czech Republic
| | - Eliška Suchopárová
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Faculty of Food and Biochemical Technology, University of Chemistry and Technology Prague, Technická 5, Prague 6 166 28, Czech Republic
| | - Sabina Abbrent
- Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, Heyrovského nám. 2, Prague 6 162 06, Czech Republic
| | - Václav Pokorný
- Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, Heyrovského nám. 2, Prague 6 162 06, Czech Republic
| | - Olga Kočková
- Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, Heyrovského nám. 2, Prague 6 162 06, Czech Republic
| | - Martina Nevoralová
- Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, Heyrovského nám. 2, Prague 6 162 06, Czech Republic
| | - Tomáš Cajthaml
- Institute of Microbiology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Vídeňská 1083, Prague 4 142 20, Czech Republic
| | - Michal Strejček
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Faculty of Food and Biochemical Technology, University of Chemistry and Technology Prague, Technická 5, Prague 6 166 28, Czech Republic
| | - Ondřej Uhlík
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Faculty of Food and Biochemical Technology, University of Chemistry and Technology Prague, Technická 5, Prague 6 166 28, Czech Republic
| | - Martin Halecký
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Food and Biochemical Technology, University of Chemistry and Technology Prague, Technická 5, Prague 6 166 28, Czech Republic.
| | - Hynek Beneš
- Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, Heyrovského nám. 2, Prague 6 162 06, Czech Republic.
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12
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Hu F, Wang P, Li Y, Ling J, Ruan Y, Yu J, Zhang L. Bioremediation of environmental organic pollutants by Pseudomonas aeruginosa: Mechanisms, methods and challenges. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 239:117211. [PMID: 37778604 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.117211] [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: 07/02/2023] [Revised: 09/10/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023]
Abstract
The development of the chemical industry has led to a boom in daily consumption and convenience, but has also led to the release of large amounts of organic pollutants, such as petroleum hydrocarbons, plastics, pesticides, and dyes. These pollutants are often recalcitrant to degradation in the environment, whereby the most problematic compounds may even lead to carcinogenesis, teratogenesis and mutagenesis in animals and humans after accumulation in the food chain. Microbial degradation of organic pollutants is efficient and environmentally friendly, which is why it is considered an ideal method. Numerous studies have shown that Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a powerful platform for the remediation of environmental pollution with organic chemicals due to its diverse metabolic networks and its ability to secrete biosurfactants to make hydrophobic substrates more bioavailable, thereby facilitating degradation. In this paper, the mechanisms and methods of the bioremediation of environmental organic pollutants (EOPs) by P. aeruginosa are reviewed. The challenges of current studies are highlighted, and new strategies for future research are prospected. Metabolic pathways and critical enzymes must be further deciphered, which is significant for the construction of a bioremediation platform based on this powerful organism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fanghui Hu
- School of Food Science and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Normal University, Jiangsu, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Panlin Wang
- School of Bioengineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, 200237, China
| | - Yunhan Li
- School of Food Science and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Normal University, Jiangsu, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Jiahuan Ling
- School of Food Science and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Normal University, Jiangsu, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Yongqiang Ruan
- School of Food Science and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Normal University, Jiangsu, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Jiaojiao Yu
- School of Medical Imaging, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300203, China.
| | - Lihui Zhang
- School of Food Science and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Normal University, Jiangsu, Nanjing, 210023, China.
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13
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Miravalle E, Bracco P, Brunella V, Barolo C, Zanetti M. Improving Sustainability through Covalent Adaptable Networks in the Recycling of Polyurethane Plastics. Polymers (Basel) 2023; 15:3780. [PMID: 37765634 PMCID: PMC10537520 DOI: 10.3390/polym15183780] [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: 08/02/2023] [Revised: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The global plastic waste problem has created an urgent need for the development of more sustainable materials and recycling processes. Polyurethane (PU) plastics, which represent 5.5% of globally produced plastics, are particularly challenging to recycle owing to their crosslinked structure. Covalent adaptable networks (CANs) based on dynamic covalent bonds have emerged as a promising solution for recycling PU waste. CANs enable the production of thermoset polymers that can be recycled using methods that are traditionally reserved for thermoplastic polymers. Reprocessing using hot-pressing techniques, in particular, proved to be more suited for the class of polyurethanes, allowing for the efficient recycling of PU materials. This Review paper explores the potential of CANs for improving the sustainability of PU recycling processes by examining different types of PU-CANs, bond types, and fillers that can be used to optimise the recycling efficiency. The paper concludes that further research is needed to develop more cost-effective and industrial-friendly techniques for recycling PU-CANs, as they can significantly contribute to sustainable development by creating recyclable thermoset polymers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edoardo Miravalle
- Department of Chemistry, NIS Interdepartmental Centre, University of Turin, Via P. Giuria 7, 10125 Turin, Italy; (E.M.); (P.B.); (V.B.); (C.B.)
| | - Pierangiola Bracco
- Department of Chemistry, NIS Interdepartmental Centre, University of Turin, Via P. Giuria 7, 10125 Turin, Italy; (E.M.); (P.B.); (V.B.); (C.B.)
- INSTM Reference Centre, University of Turin, Via G. Quarello 15A, 10135 Turin, Italy
| | - Valentina Brunella
- Department of Chemistry, NIS Interdepartmental Centre, University of Turin, Via P. Giuria 7, 10125 Turin, Italy; (E.M.); (P.B.); (V.B.); (C.B.)
- INSTM Reference Centre, University of Turin, Via G. Quarello 15A, 10135 Turin, Italy
| | - Claudia Barolo
- Department of Chemistry, NIS Interdepartmental Centre, University of Turin, Via P. Giuria 7, 10125 Turin, Italy; (E.M.); (P.B.); (V.B.); (C.B.)
- INSTM Reference Centre, University of Turin, Via G. Quarello 15A, 10135 Turin, Italy
- ICxT Interdepartmental Centre, University of Turin, Via Lungo Dora Siena 100, 10153 Turin, Italy
| | - Marco Zanetti
- Department of Chemistry, NIS Interdepartmental Centre, University of Turin, Via P. Giuria 7, 10125 Turin, Italy; (E.M.); (P.B.); (V.B.); (C.B.)
- INSTM Reference Centre, University of Turin, Via G. Quarello 15A, 10135 Turin, Italy
- ICxT Interdepartmental Centre, University of Turin, Via Lungo Dora Siena 100, 10153 Turin, Italy
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14
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Salgado CA, Silva JG, Almeida FAD, Vanetti MCD. Biodegradation of polyurethanes by Serratia liquefaciens L135 and its polyurethanase: In silico and in vitro analyses. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2023; 333:122016. [PMID: 37339733 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.122016] [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: 03/17/2023] [Revised: 05/22/2023] [Accepted: 06/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/22/2023]
Abstract
Polyurethanes (PUs) are found in many everyday products and their disposal leads to environmental accumulation. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop ecologically sustainable techniques to biodegrade and recycle this recalcitrant polymer and replace traditional methods that form harmful by-products. Serratia liquefaciens L135 secretes a polyurethanase with lipase activity, and this study explores the biodegradation of PUs by this bacterium and its enzyme through in silico and in vitro analyses. PUs monomers and tetramers were constructed in silico and tested with modeled and validated structure of the polyurethanase from S. liquefaciens. The molecular docking showed that all PUs monomers presented favorable interactions with polyurethanase (values of binding energy between -84.75 and -121.71 kcal mol-1), including PU poly[4,4'-methylenebis (phenyl isocyanate)-alt-1,4-butanediol/di (propylene glycol)/polycaprolactone] (PCLMDI). Due to repulsive steric interactions, tetramers showed less favorable interactions (values between 24.26 and -45.50 kcal mol-1). In vitro analyses evaluated the biodegradation of PUs: Impranil® and PCLMDI; this latter showed high binding energy with this polyurethanase in silico. The biodegradation of Impranil® by S. liquefaciens and its partially purified polyurethanase was confirmed in agar by forming a transparent halo. Impranil® disks inoculated with S. liquefaciens and incubated at 30 °C for six days showed rupture of the PU structure, possibly due to the formation of cracks visualized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). PCLMDI films were also biodegraded by S. liquefaciens after 60 days of incubation, with the formation of pores and cracks visualized by SEM. The biodegradation may have occurred due to the action of polyurethanase produced by this bacterium. This work provides essential information on the potential of S. liquefaciens to biodegrade PUs through in silico analyses combined with in vitro analyses.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Júnio Gonçalves Silva
- Department of Chemistry, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
| | - Felipe Alves de Almeida
- Instituto de Laticínios Cândido Tostes (ILCT), Empresa de Pesquisa Agropecuária de Minas Gerais (EPAMIG), Juiz de Fora, MG, Brazil.
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15
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Putman LI, Schaerer LG, Wu R, Kulas DG, Zolghadr A, Ong RG, Shonnard DR, Techtmann SM. Deconstructed Plastic Substrate Preferences of Microbial Populations from the Natural Environment. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0036223. [PMID: 37260392 PMCID: PMC10433879 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.00362-23] [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: 04/27/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Over half of the world's plastic waste is landfilled, where it is estimated to take hundreds of years to degrade. Given the continued use and disposal of plastic products, it is vital that we develop fast and effective ways to utilize plastic waste. Here, we explore the potential of tandem chemical and biological processing to process various plastics quickly and effectively. Four samples of compost or sediment were used to set up enrichment cultures grown on mixtures of compounds, including disodium terephthalate and terephthalic acid (monomers of polyethylene terephthalate), compounds derived from the chemical deconstruction of polycarbonate, and pyrolysis oil derived from high-density polyethylene plastics. Established enrichment communities were also grown on individual substrates to investigate the substrate preferences of different taxa. Biomass harvested from the cultures was characterized using 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing and shotgun metagenomic sequencing. These data reveal low-diversity microbial communities structured by differences in culture inoculum, culture substrate source plastic type, and time. Microbial populations from the classes Alphaproteobacteria, Gammaproteobacteria, Actinobacteria, and Acidobacteriae were significantly enriched when grown on substrates derived from high-density polyethylene and polycarbonate. The metagenomic data contain abundant aromatic and aliphatic hydrocarbon degradation genes relevant to the biodegradation of deconstructed plastic substrates used here. We show that microbial populations from diverse environments are capable of growth on substrates derived from the chemical deconstruction or pyrolysis of multiple plastic types and that paired chemical and biological processing of plastics should be further developed for industrial applications to manage plastic waste. IMPORTANCE The durability and impermeable nature of plastics have made them a popular material for numerous applications, but these same qualities make plastics difficult to dispose of, resulting in massive amounts of accumulated plastic waste in landfills and the natural environment. Since plastic use and disposal are projected to increase in the future, novel methods to effectively break down and dispose of current and future plastic waste are desperately needed. We show that the products of chemical deconstruction or pyrolysis of plastic can successfully sustain the growth of low-diversity microbial communities. These communities were enriched from multiple environmental sources and are capable of degrading complex xenobiotic carbon compounds. This study demonstrates that tandem chemical and biological processing can be used to degrade multiple types of plastics over a relatively short period of time and may be a future avenue for the mitigation of rapidly accumulating plastic waste.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lindsay I. Putman
- Department of Biological Sciences, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, Michigan, USA
| | - Laura G. Schaerer
- Department of Biological Sciences, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, Michigan, USA
| | - Ruochen Wu
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, Michigan, USA
| | - Daniel G. Kulas
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, Michigan, USA
| | - Ali Zolghadr
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, Michigan, USA
| | - Rebecca G. Ong
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, Michigan, USA
| | - David R. Shonnard
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, Michigan, USA
| | - Stephen M. Techtmann
- Department of Biological Sciences, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, Michigan, USA
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16
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Li S, Yang Y, Yang S, Zheng H, Zheng Y, M J, Nagarajan D, Varjani S, Chang JS. Recent advances in biodegradation of emerging contaminants - microplastics (MPs): Feasibility, mechanism, and future prospects. CHEMOSPHERE 2023; 331:138776. [PMID: 37100247 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.138776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2023] [Revised: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 04/22/2023] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Plastics have become an essential part of life. When it enters the environment, it migrates and breaks down to form smaller size fragments, which are called microplastics (MPs). Compared with plastics, MPs are detrimental to the environment and pose a severe threat to human health. Bioremediation is being recognized as the most environmentally friendly and cost-effective degradation technology for MPs, but knowledge about the biodegradation of MPs is limited. This review explores the various sources of MPs and their migration behavior in terrestrial and aquatic environments. Among the existing MPs removal technologies, biodegradation is considered to be the best removal strategy to alleviate MPs pollution. The biodegradation potential of MPs by bacteria, fungi and algae is discussed. Biodegradation mechanisms such as colonization, fragmentation, assimilation, and mineralization are presented. The effects of MPs characteristics, microbial activity, environmental factors and chemical reagents on biodegradation are analyzed. The susceptibility of microorganisms to MPs toxicity might lead to decreased degradation efficiency, which is also elaborated. The prospects and challenges of biodegradation technologies are discussed. Eliminating prospective bottlenecks is necessary to achieve large-scale bioremediation of MPs-polluted environment. This review provides a comprehensive summary of the biodegradability of MPs, which is crucial for the prudent management of plastic waste.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuo Li
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Qiqihar University, Qiqihar, 161006, China
| | - Yalun Yang
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Qiqihar University, Qiqihar, 161006, China
| | - Shanshan Yang
- School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150090, China; State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Municipal and Environmental Engineering, Harbin Institute Technology, Harbin, China
| | - Heshan Zheng
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Qiqihar University, Qiqihar, 161006, China.
| | - Yongjie Zheng
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Qiqihar University, Qiqihar, 161006, China
| | - Jun M
- School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150090, China
| | - Dillirani Nagarajan
- Department of Chemical Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Sunita Varjani
- School of Energy and Environment, City University of Hong Kong, Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong
| | - Jo-Shu Chang
- Department of Chemical Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan; Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, Tunghai University, Taichung, Taiwan; Research Center for Energy Technology and Strategy, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan; Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Yuan Ze University, Chung-Li, Taiwan.
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17
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Kothawale SS, Kumar L, Singh SP. Role of organisms and their enzymes in the biodegradation of microplastics and nanoplastics: A review. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023:116281. [PMID: 37276977 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.116281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2023] [Revised: 04/27/2023] [Accepted: 05/28/2023] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Microplastic (MP) and Nanoplastic (NP) contamination have become a critical ecological concern due to their persistent presence in every aspect of the ecosystem and their potentially harmful effects. The current approaches to eradicate these wastes by burning up and dumping adversely impact the environment, while recycling has its own challenges. As a result, applying degradation techniques to eliminate these recalcitrant polymers has been a focus of scientific investigation in the recent past. Biological, photocatalytic, electrocatalytic, and, recently, nanotechnologies have been studied to degrade these polymers. Nevertheless, it is hard to degrade MPs and NPs in the environment, and these degradation techniques are comparatively inefficient and require further development. The recent research focuses on the potential use of microbes to degrade MPs and NPs as a sustainable solution. Therefore, considering the recent advancements in this important research field, this review highlights the utilization of organisms and enzymes for the biodegradation of the MPs and NPs with their probable degradation mechanisms. This review provides insight into various microbial entities and their enzymes for the biodegradation of MPs. In addition, owing to the lack of research on the biodegradation of NPs, the perspective of applying these processes to NPs degradation has also been looked at. Finally, a critical evaluation of the recent development and perspective for future research to improve the effective removal of MPs and NPs in the environment through biodegradation is also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheetal S Kothawale
- Centre for Research in Nanotechnology & Science (CRNTS), Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai, 400076, India
| | - Lalit Kumar
- Department of Energy Science and Engineering Department (DESE), Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai, 400076, India
| | - Swatantra P Singh
- Centre for Research in Nanotechnology & Science (CRNTS), Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai, 400076, India; Environmental Science and Engineering Department (ESED), Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai, 400076, India; Interdisciplinary Program in Climate Studies, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai, 400076, India.
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18
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Gu X, Zhu S, Liu S, Liu Y. Analysis of the Influencing Factors of the Efficient Degradation of Waste Polyurethane and Its Scheme Optimization. Polymers (Basel) 2023; 15:polym15102337. [PMID: 37242911 DOI: 10.3390/polym15102337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2023] [Revised: 04/24/2023] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
This work proposes an efficient catalytic recovery and utilization method for waste polyurethane foam. This method uses ethylene glycol (EG) and propylene glycol (PPG) as two-component alcohololytic agents for the alcoholysis of waste polyurethane foams. For the preparation of recycled polyethers, the conditions of different catalytic degradation systems were catalyzed by duplex metal catalysts (DMC) and alkali metal catalysts, and a synergy with both was also used. The experimental method was adopted with the blank control group and was set up for comparative analysis. The effect of the catalysts on the recycling of waste polyurethane foam was investigated. The catalytic degradation of DMC and the alkali metal catalysts alone, as well as the synergistic effect of the two catalysts, was explored. The findings revealed that the NaOH and DMC synergistic catalytic system was the best, and that the system activity was high under a two-component catalyst synergistic degradation. When the amount of NaOH added in the degradation system was 0.25%, the amount of DMC added was 0.04%, the reaction time was 2.5 h, and the reaction temperature was 160 °C, the waste polyurethane foam was completely alcoholized, and the prepared regenerated polyurethane foam had high compressive strength and good thermal stability. The efficient catalytic recycling method of waste polyurethane foam proposed in this paper has certain guiding and reference values for the practical production of solid-waste-recycled polyurethane.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaohua Gu
- State Key Laboratory for Modification of Chemical Fibers and Polymer Materials, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Donghua University, Shanghai 200051, China
- School of Energy and Building Environment, Guilin University of Aerospace Technology, Guilin 541004, China
| | - Shangwen Zhu
- State Key Laboratory for Modification of Chemical Fibers and Polymer Materials, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Donghua University, Shanghai 200051, China
| | - Siwen Liu
- College of Innovative Material and Energy, Hubei University, Wuhan 430062, China
| | - Yan Liu
- State Key Laboratory for Modification of Chemical Fibers and Polymer Materials, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Donghua University, Shanghai 200051, China
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19
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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: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [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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20
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Giyahchi M, Moghimi H. Aerobic biodegradation of untreated polyester-polyether urethanes by newly isolated yeast strains Exophilia sp. NS-7 and Rhodotorula sp. NS-12. Sci Rep 2023; 13:5016. [PMID: 36977741 PMCID: PMC10050204 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-31639-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2022] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Polyester-urethanes as the most widely used polyurethanes (PUs) are among the most recalcitrant plastics in natural conditions. Among existing approaches for managing and reducing plastic waste, biodegradation as a promising approach to reduce plastic waste pollution has drawn scientific society's attention in recent years. In this study, two polyester-polyether urethane degrading yeasts were isolated and identified as two new strains of Exophilia sp. NS-7 and Rhodotorula sp. NS-12. The results showed that Exophilia sp. NS-7 is esterase, protease, and urease positive, and Rhodotorula sp. NS-12 can produce esterase and urease. Both strains can degrade Impranil® as the sole carbon source with the highest growth rate in 4-6 and 8-12 days, respectively. SEM micrograph revealed PU degradation ability in both strains by showing so many pits and holes in treated films. The Sturm test showed that these two isolates can mineralize PU to CO2, and significant decreases in N-H stretching, C-H stretching, C=O stretching, and N-H/C=O bending absorption in the molecular structure of PU were revealed by the FT-IR spectrum. The detection of the deshielding effect in chemical shifts of the H-NMR spectrum after the treatment also confirmed the destructive effects of both strains on PU films.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minoo Giyahchi
- Department of Microbial Biotechnology, School of Biology, College of Science, University of Tehran, Tehran, 1417864411, Iran
| | - Hamid Moghimi
- Department of Microbial Biotechnology, School of Biology, College of Science, University of Tehran, Tehran, 1417864411, Iran.
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21
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Sharma H, Neelam DK. Understanding challenges associated with plastic and bacterial approach toward plastic degradation. J Basic Microbiol 2023; 63:292-307. [PMID: 36470670 DOI: 10.1002/jobm.202200428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2022] [Revised: 10/20/2022] [Accepted: 11/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Plastic is widely used in every sector due to its stability, durability, and low cost. The widespread use of plastic results in the compilation of plastic waste in the environment. The buildup of such a vast volume of plastic garbage has emerged as the primary cause of environmental pollution, including air, land, and water pollution. Plastics contain various harmful chemicals and toxic substances that can leak and adversely affect humans and other organisms. Managing this much plastic waste is a very challenging task; therefore, an appropriate technique is needed to address this problem. Various methods are used, such as chemical, physical, and biological, to degrade plastic waste. Bacterial degradation is known to be the most effective technique for the biodegradation approach to overcome this issue. Biodegradation has played a crucial role in removing these polluting wastes more efficiently and eco-friendly. The process of biodegradation involves a variety of bacteria, such as Acinetobacter baumannii, Bacillus weihenstephanensis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Pseudomonas fluorescens, Rhodococcus ruber, and so on. Biodegradation of plastic takes place through various biochemical pathways, including biodeterioration, biofragmentation, assimilation, and mineralization. During biodegradation, bacteria produce enzymes like esterase, cutinase, laccase, lipase, and others that break down and transform plastic polymers into microbial biomass and gases. This review aims to explain how bacteria contribute to the breakdown of plastic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hemlata Sharma
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, JECRC University, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India
| | - Deepesh K Neelam
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, JECRC University, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India
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22
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Su T, Zhang T, Liu P, Bian J, Zheng Y, Yuan Y, Li Q, Liang Q, Qi Q. Biodegradation of polyurethane by the microbial consortia enriched from landfill. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2023; 107:1983-1995. [PMID: 36763115 PMCID: PMC9911954 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-023-12418-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2022] [Revised: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023]
Abstract
Polyurethanes (PU) are one of the most used categories of plastics and have become a significant source of environmental pollutants. Degrading the refractory PU wastes using environmentally friendly strategies is in high demand. In this study, three microbial consortia from the landfill leachate were enriched using PU powder as the sole carbon source. The consortia efficiently degraded polyester PU film and accumulated high biomass within 1 week. Scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and contact angle analyses showed significant physical and chemical changes to the PU film after incubating with the consortia for 48 h. In addition, the degradation products adipic acid and butanediol were detected by high-performance liquid chromatography in the supernatant of the consortia. Microbial composition and extracellular enzyme analyses revealed that the consortia can secrete esterase and urease, which were potentially involved in the degradation of PU. The dominant microbes in the consortia changed when continuously passaged for 50 generations of growth on the PU films. This work demonstrates the potential use of microbial consortia in the biodegradation of PU wastes. KEY POINTS: • Microbial consortia enriched from landfill leachate degraded polyurethane film. • Consortia reached high biomass within 1 week using polyurethane film as the sole carbon source. • The consortia secreted potential polyurethane-degrading enzymes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianyuan Su
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao, 266237, People's Republic of China
| | - Tong Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao, 266237, People's Republic of China
| | - Pan Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao, 266237, People's Republic of China
| | - Junling Bian
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao, 266237, People's Republic of China
| | - Yi Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao, 266237, People's Republic of China
| | - Yingbo Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao, 266237, People's Republic of China
| | - Qingbin Li
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao, 266237, People's Republic of China
| | - Quanfeng Liang
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao, 266237, People's Republic of China
| | - Qingsheng Qi
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao, 266237, People's Republic of China.
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23
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Potential of Advanced Oxidation as Pretreatment for Microplastics Biodegradation. SEPARATIONS 2023. [DOI: 10.3390/separations10020132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/17/2023] Open
Abstract
In the last two decades, microplastics (MP) have been identified as an emerging environmental pollutant. Due to their small size, MP particles may easily enter the food chain, where they can have adverse effects on organisms and the environment in general. The common methods for the removal of pollutants from the environment are not fully effective in the elimination of MP; thus, it is necessary to find a more suitable treatment method(s). Among the various approaches tested, biodegradation is by far the most environmentally friendly and economically acceptable remediation approach. However, it has serious drawbacks, generally related to the rather low removal rate and often insufficient efficiency. Therefore, it would be beneficial to use some of the less economical but more efficient methods as pretreatment prior to biodegradation. Such pretreatment would primarily serve to increase the roughness and hydrophilicity of the surface of MP, making it more susceptible to bioassimilation. This review focuses on advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) as treatment methods that can enhance the biodegradation of MP particles. It considers MP particles of the six most commonly used plastic polymers, namely: polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene terephthalate and polyurethane. The review highlights organisms with a high potential for biodegradation of selected MP particles and presents the potential benefits that AOP pretreatment can provide for MP biodegradation.
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24
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Ghosh S, Rusyn I, Dmytruk OV, Dmytruk KV, Onyeaka H, Gryzenhout M, Gafforov Y. Filamentous fungi for sustainable remediation of pharmaceutical compounds, heavy metal and oil hydrocarbons. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2023; 11:1106973. [PMID: 36865030 PMCID: PMC9971017 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2023.1106973] [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: 11/24/2022] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023] Open
Abstract
This review presents a comprehensive summary of the latest research in the field of bioremediation with filamentous fungi. The main focus is on the issue of recent progress in remediation of pharmaceutical compounds, heavy metal treatment and oil hydrocarbons mycoremediation that are usually insufficiently represented in other reviews. It encompasses a variety of cellular mechanisms involved in bioremediation used by filamentous fungi, including bio-adsorption, bio-surfactant production, bio-mineralization, bio-precipitation, as well as extracellular and intracellular enzymatic processes. Processes for wastewater treatment accomplished through physical, biological, and chemical processes are briefly described. The species diversity of filamentous fungi used in pollutant removal, including widely studied species of Aspergillus, Penicillium, Fusarium, Verticillium, Phanerochaete and other species of Basidiomycota and Zygomycota are summarized. The removal efficiency of filamentous fungi and time of elimination of a wide variety of pollutant compounds and their easy handling make them excellent tools for the bioremediation of emerging contaminants. Various types of beneficial byproducts made by filamentous fungi, such as raw material for feed and food production, chitosan, ethanol, lignocellulolytic enzymes, organic acids, as well as nanoparticles, are discussed. Finally, challenges faced, future prospects, and how innovative technologies can be used to further exploit and enhance the abilities of fungi in wastewater remediation, are mentioned.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soumya Ghosh
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa,*Correspondence: Soumya Ghosh, ,
| | - Iryna Rusyn
- Department of Ecology and Sustainaible Environmental Management, Viacheslav Chornovil Institute of Sustainable Development, Lviv Polytechnic National University, Lviv, Ukraine
| | - Olena V. Dmytruk
- Institute of Cell Biology NAS of Ukraine, Lviv, Ukraine,Institute of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Rzeszow, Rzeszow, Poland
| | - Kostyantyn V. Dmytruk
- Institute of Cell Biology NAS of Ukraine, Lviv, Ukraine,Institute of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Rzeszow, Rzeszow, Poland
| | - Helen Onyeaka
- School of Chemical Engineering, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Marieka Gryzenhout
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa
| | - Yusufjon Gafforov
- Mycology Laboratory, Institute of Botany, Academy of Sciences of Republic of Uzbekistan, Tashkent, Uzbekistan,AKFA University, Tashkent, Uzbekistan
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25
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Schaerer LG, Wu R, Putman LI, Pearce JM, Lu T, Shonnard DR, Ong RG, Techtmann SM. Killing two birds with one stone: chemical and biological upcycling of polyethylene terephthalate plastics into food. Trends Biotechnol 2023; 41:184-196. [PMID: 36058768 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2022.06.012] [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: 02/25/2022] [Revised: 05/24/2022] [Accepted: 06/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Most polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic waste is landfilled or pollutes the environment. Additionally, global food production must increase to support the growing population. This article explores the feasibility of using microorganisms in an industrial system that upcycles PET into edible microbial protein powder to solve both problems simultaneously. Many microorganisms can utilize plastics as feedstock, and the resultant microbial biomass contains fats, nutrients, and proteins similar to those found in human diets. While microbial degradation of PET is promising, biological PET depolymerization is too slow to resolve the global plastic crisis and projected food shortages. Evidence reviewed here suggests that by coupling chemical depolymerization and biological degradation of PET, and using cooperative microbial communities, microbes can efficiently convert PET waste into food.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura G Schaerer
- Department of Biological Sciences, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI, USA
| | - Ruochen Wu
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI, USA
| | - Lindsay I Putman
- Department of Biological Sciences, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI, USA
| | - Joshua M Pearce
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ting Lu
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL, USA
| | - David R Shonnard
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI, USA
| | - Rebecca G Ong
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI, USA
| | - Stephen M Techtmann
- Department of Biological Sciences, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI, USA.
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26
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Kowalczyk Ł, Korol J, Chmielnicki B, Laska A, Chuchala D, Hejna A. One More Step towards a Circular Economy for Thermal Insulation Materials-Development of Composites Highly Filled with Waste Polyurethane (PU) Foam for Potential Use in the Building Industry. MATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 16:782. [PMID: 36676519 PMCID: PMC9864609 DOI: 10.3390/ma16020782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2022] [Revised: 01/04/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
The rapid development of the building sector has created increased demand for novel materials and technologies, while on the other hand resulting in the generation of a severe amount of waste materials. Among these are polyurethane (PU) foams, which are commonly applied as thermal insulation materials. Their management is a serious industrial problem, due to, for example, their complex chemical composition. Although some chemical and thermochemical methods of PU foam recycling are known, their broader use is limited due to requirements related to the complexity and safety of their installation, thus implicating high costs. Therefore, material recycling poses a promising alternative. The incorporation of waste PU foams as fillers for polymer composites could make it possible to take advantage of their structure and performance. Herein, polypropylene-based composites that were highly filled with waste PU foam and modified using foaming agents were prepared and analyzed. Depending on the foam loading and the foaming agent applied, the apparent density of material was reduced by as much as 68%. The efficient development of a porous structure, confirmed by scanning electron microscopy and high-resolution computed micro-tomography, enabled a 64% decrease in the thermal conductivity coefficient. The foaming of the structure affected the mechanical performance of composites, resulting in a deterioration of their tensile and compressive performance. Therefore, developing samples of the analyzed composites with the desired performance would require identifying the proper balance between mechanical strength and economic, as well as ecological (share of waste material in composite, apparent density of material), considerations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Łukasz Kowalczyk
- Central Mining Institute, Department of Material Engineering, Pl. Gwarkow 1, 40-166 Katowice, Poland
| | - Jerzy Korol
- Central Mining Institute, Department of Material Engineering, Pl. Gwarkow 1, 40-166 Katowice, Poland
| | - Błażej Chmielnicki
- Łukasiewicz Research Network–Institute of Engineering of Polymer Materials and Dyes, Center for Paints and Plastics, ul. Chorzowska 50A, 44-100 Gliwice, Poland
| | - Aleksandra Laska
- Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Ship Technology and EkoTech Center, Gdańsk University of Technology, 80-233 Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Daniel Chuchala
- Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Ship Technology and EkoTech Center, Gdańsk University of Technology, 80-233 Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Aleksander Hejna
- Institute of Materials Technology, Poznan University of Technology, Piotrowo 3, 60-965 Poznań, Poland
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27
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Yang XG, Wen PP, Yang YF, Jia PP, Li WG, Pei DS. Plastic biodegradation by in vitro environmental microorganisms and in vivo gut microorganisms of insects. Front Microbiol 2023; 13:1001750. [PMID: 36687617 PMCID: PMC9852869 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.1001750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Traditional plastics, such as polyethylene (PE), polystyrene (PS), polypropylene (PP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyurethane (PUR), and other plastic polymers, are difficult to degrade and are gradually accumulated in the environment to cause a serious environmental problem, which is urgently needed to develop novel treatments or control technology. The biodegradation of plastics has gained great attention due to the advantages of green and safe characteristics. Microorganisms play a vital role in the biodegradation of plastics, including environmental microbes (in vitro) and gut microbes of insects (in vivo). Microbial degradation in environmental conditions in vitro is extremely slow for major plastics at degradation rates on the basis of a month or even a year time, but recent discoveries show that the fast biodegradation of specific plastics, such as PS, PE, and PUR, in some invertebrates, especially insects, could be enhanced at rates on basis of hours; the biodegradation in insects is likely to be gut microbial-dependent or synergetic bioreactions in animal digestive systems. This review comprehensively summarizes the latest 7-year (2016-2022) publications on plastic biodegradation by insects and microorganisms, elucidates the mechanism of plastic degradation in insects and environmental microbes, and highlights the cutting-edge perspectives for the potential applications of plastic biodegradation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xian-Guang Yang
- State Key Laboratory Base of Cell Differentiation and Regulation, College of Life Science, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Ping-Ping Wen
- State Key Laboratory Base of Cell Differentiation and Regulation, College of Life Science, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang, China
- School of Public Health, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yi-Fan Yang
- State Key Laboratory Base of Cell Differentiation and Regulation, College of Life Science, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang, China
- School of Public Health, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Pan-Pan Jia
- School of Public Health, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Wei-Guo Li
- State Key Laboratory Base of Cell Differentiation and Regulation, College of Life Science, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang, China
| | - De-Sheng Pei
- School of Public Health, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
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28
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Mouren A, Avérous L. Sustainable cycloaliphatic polyurethanes: from synthesis to applications. Chem Soc Rev 2023; 52:277-317. [PMID: 36520183 DOI: 10.1039/d2cs00509c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Polyurethanes (PUs) are a versatile and major polymer family, mainly produced via polyaddition between polyols and polyisocyanates. A large variety of fossil-based building blocks is commonly used to develop a wide range of macromolecular architectures with specific properties. Due to environmental concerns, legislation, rarefaction of some petrol fractions and price fluctuation, sustainable feedstocks are attracting significant attention, e.g., plastic waste and biobased resources from biomass. Consequently, various sustainable building blocks are available to develop new renewable macromolecular architectures such as aromatics, linear aliphatics and cycloaliphatics. Meanwhile, the relationship between the chemical structures of these building blocks and properties of the final PUs can be determined. For instance, aromatic building blocks are remarkable to endow materials with rigidity, hydrophobicity, fire resistance, chemical and thermal stability, whereas acyclic aliphatics endow them with oxidation and UV light resistance, flexibility and transparency. Cycloaliphatics are very interesting as they combine most of the advantages of linear aliphatic and aromatic compounds. This original and unique review presents a comprehensive overview of the synthesis of sustainable cycloaliphatic PUs using various renewable products such as biobased terpenes, carbohydrates, fatty acids and cholesterol and/or plastic waste. Herein, we summarize the chemical modification of the main sustainable cycloaliphatic feedstocks, synthesis of PUs using these building blocks and their corresponding properties and subsequently present their major applications in hot-topic fields, including building, transportation, packaging and biomedicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agathe Mouren
- BioTeam/ICPEES-ECPM, UMR CNRS 7515, Université de Strasbourg, 25 rue Becquerel, 67087 Strasbourg Cedex 2, France.
| | - Luc Avérous
- BioTeam/ICPEES-ECPM, UMR CNRS 7515, Université de Strasbourg, 25 rue Becquerel, 67087 Strasbourg Cedex 2, France.
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29
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Orts JM, Parrado J, Pascual JA, Orts A, Cuartero J, Tejada M, Ros M. Polyurethane Foam Residue Biodegradation through the Tenebrio molitor Digestive Tract: Microbial Communities and Enzymatic Activity. Polymers (Basel) 2022; 15:polym15010204. [PMID: 36616553 PMCID: PMC9823465 DOI: 10.3390/polym15010204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2022] [Revised: 12/07/2022] [Accepted: 12/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Polyurethane (PU) is a widely used polymer with a highly complex recycling process due to its chemical structure. Eliminating polyurethane is limited to incineration or accumulation in landfills. Biodegradation by enzymes and microorganisms has been studied for decades as an effective method of biological decomposition. In this study, Tenebrio molitor larvae (T. molitor) were fed polyurethane foam. They degraded the polymer by 35% in 17 days, resulting in a 14% weight loss in the mealworms. Changes in the T. molitor gut bacterial community and diversity were observed, which may be due to the colonization of the species associated with PU degradation. The physical and structural biodegradation of the PU, as achieved by T. molitor, was observed and compared to the characteristics of the original PU (PU-virgin) using Fourier Transform InfraRed spectroscopy (FTIR), Thermal Gravimetric Analysis (TGA), and Scanning Electron Microphotography (SEM).
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Affiliation(s)
- Jose M. Orts
- Departament of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Sevilla, C/Prof. García Gonzalez 2, 41012 Sevilla, Spain
| | - Juan Parrado
- Departament of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Sevilla, C/Prof. García Gonzalez 2, 41012 Sevilla, Spain
- Correspondence: (J.P.); (J.A.P.)
| | - Jose A. Pascual
- Department of Soil and Water Conservation and Organic Waste Management, Centro de Edafologia y Biología Aplicada del Segura (CEBAS-CSIC), University Campus of Espinardo, 30100 Murcia, Spain
- Correspondence: (J.P.); (J.A.P.)
| | - Angel Orts
- Departament of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Sevilla, C/Prof. García Gonzalez 2, 41012 Sevilla, Spain
| | - Jessica Cuartero
- Department of Soil and Water Conservation and Organic Waste Management, Centro de Edafologia y Biología Aplicada del Segura (CEBAS-CSIC), University Campus of Espinardo, 30100 Murcia, Spain
| | - Manuel Tejada
- Grupo de Investigacion Edafologia Ambiental, Departamento de Cristalografia, Mineralogia y Quimica Agricola, E.T.S.I.A. Universidad de Sevilla, 41004 Sevilla, Spain
| | - Margarita Ros
- Department of Soil and Water Conservation and Organic Waste Management, Centro de Edafologia y Biología Aplicada del Segura (CEBAS-CSIC), University Campus of Espinardo, 30100 Murcia, Spain
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30
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Gu X, Wang X, Wang T, Zhu Y, Guo X, Liu S, Zhu S, Liu Y. Analysis of Factors Influencing the Efficiency of Catalysts Used in Waste PU Degradation. Polymers (Basel) 2022; 14:polym14245450. [PMID: 36559817 PMCID: PMC9781215 DOI: 10.3390/polym14245450] [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: 11/18/2022] [Revised: 12/02/2022] [Accepted: 12/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Polyurethane (PU) is an indispensable part of people's lives. With the development of polyurethane, the disposal of polyurethane waste has become a significant issue around the world. Conventional degradation catalysts have poor dispersion and low degradation efficiency when used in the process of solid degradation into liquid. Therefore, this paper innovatively adopts self-made core-shell nanoscale titanium catalysis, traditional alkali metal catalyst (KOH), and polyol to carry out the glycolysis of waste polyurethane (PU) pipeline foam. The homogenized nanoscale titanium catalyst coated with alcohol gel has an obvious core-shell structure. The alcohol gel not only protects the catalyst but also dissolves with the alcoholysis agent in the process of glycolysis and disperses more evenly into the alcoholysis agent to avoid the phenomenon of nanocatalyst agglomeration, so as to facilitate catalytic cracking without reducing catalyst activity. In this study, investigated and compared the production of renewable polyurethane foam via a one-step method based on use of a homogeneous core-shell nanostructured titanium catalyst vs. a traditional alkaline catalyst in terms of the properties of regenerated polyether polyols as well as of the foams produced from these polyols. The physicochemical properties of regenerated polyether polyols that were analyzed included viscosity, hydroxyl value, and average molecular weight. The regenerated polyurethane foams were characterized based on water absorption, TG, SEM, and thermal conductivity analyses. The results show that, when the addition of homogeneous titanium catalyst was T2 0.050 wt.%, the viscosity of regenerated polyether polyols was the lowest, at 5356.7 mPa·s, which was reduced by 9.97% compared with those obtained using the alkali metal catalyst (KOH). When the amount of titanium catalyst was T3 0.075 wt.%, the hard foam made of regenerated polyurethane prepared by the catalyst showed the best properties, with a compressive strength of 0.168 MPa, which is 4.76% higher than that of the foam prepared using KOH catalyst.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaohua Gu
- School of Energy and Building Environment, Guilin University of Aerospace Technology, Guilin 541004, China
- School of Material Science and Engineering, Qiqihar University, Qiqihar 161006, China
- State Key Laboratory for Modification of Chemical Fibers and Polymer Materials, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Donghua University, Shanghai 201620, China
- Correspondence: (X.G.); (Y.L.); Tel.: +86-18121138868 (X.G.); +86-18078343019 (Y.L.)
| | - Xiaoyao Wang
- School of Material Science and Engineering, Qiqihar University, Qiqihar 161006, China
| | - Tong Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Modification of Chemical Fibers and Polymer Materials, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Donghua University, Shanghai 201620, China
| | - Yanwei Zhu
- State Key Laboratory for Modification of Chemical Fibers and Polymer Materials, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Donghua University, Shanghai 201620, China
| | - Xinyu Guo
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Qiqihar University, Qiqihar 161006, China
| | - Siwen Liu
- College of Innovative Material & Energy, Hubei University, Hubei 430062, China
| | - Shangwen Zhu
- School of Energy and Building Environment, Guilin University of Aerospace Technology, Guilin 541004, China
| | - Yan Liu
- School of Energy and Building Environment, Guilin University of Aerospace Technology, Guilin 541004, China
- Correspondence: (X.G.); (Y.L.); Tel.: +86-18121138868 (X.G.); +86-18078343019 (Y.L.)
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31
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Gunawan NR, Tessman M, Zhen D, Johnson L, Evans P, Clements SM, Pomeroy RS, Burkart MD, Simkovsky R, Mayfield SP. Biodegradation of renewable polyurethane foams in marine environments occurs through depolymerization by marine microorganisms. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 850:158761. [PMID: 36154974 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.158761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2022] [Revised: 08/18/2022] [Accepted: 09/10/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Accumulation of plastics in the Earth's oceans is causing widespread disruption to marine ecosystems. To help mitigate the environmental burden caused by non-degradable plastics, we have previously developed a commercially relevant polyurethane (PU) foam derived from renewable biological materials that can be depolymerized into its constituent monomers and consumed by microorganisms in soil or compost. Here we demonstrate that these same PU foams can be biodegraded by marine microorganisms in the ocean and by isolated marine microorganisms in an ex situ seawater environment. Using Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, we tracked molecular changes imparted by microbial breakdown of the PU polymers; and utilized scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to demonstrate the loss of physical structure associated with colonization of microorganisms on the PU foams. We subsequently enriched, isolated, and identified individual microorganisms, from six marine sites around San Diego, CA, that are capable of depolymerizing, metabolizing, and accumulating biomass using these PU foams as a sole carbon source. Analysis using SEM, FTIR, and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GCMS) confirmed that these microorganisms depolymerized the PU into its constitutive diols, diacids, and other PU fragments. SEM and FTIR results from isolated organismal biodegradation experiments exactly matched those from ex situ and ocean biodegradation samples, suggesting that these PU foam would undergo biodegradation in a natural ocean environment by enzymatic depolymerization of the PU foams and eventual uptake of the degradation products into biomass by marine microorganisms, should these foams unintentionally end up in the marine environment, as many plastics do.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Daniel Zhen
- Algenesis Inc., 1238 Sea Village Dr., Cardiff, CA, USA
| | | | - Payton Evans
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Samantha M Clements
- Center for Marine Biodiversity and Conservation, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Robert S Pomeroy
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Michael D Burkart
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | | | - Stephen P Mayfield
- Department of Molecular Biology, and California Center for Algae Biotechnology, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA.
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32
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Lomwongsopon P, Varrone C. Critical Review on the Progress of Plastic Bioupcycling Technology as a Potential Solution for Sustainable Plastic Waste Management. Polymers (Basel) 2022; 14:polym14224996. [PMID: 36433123 PMCID: PMC9692586 DOI: 10.3390/polym14224996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2022] [Revised: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Plastic production worldwide has doubled in the last two decades and is expected to reach a four-fold increase by 2050. The durability of plastic makes them a perfect material for many applications, but it is also a key limitation to their end-of-life management. The current plastic lifecycle is far from circular, with only 13% being collected for recycling and 9% being successfully recycled, indicating the failure of current recycling technology. The remaining plastic waste streams are thus incinerated, landfilled, or worse, mismanaged, leading to them leaking into the environment. To promote plastic circularity, keeping material in the loop is a priority and represents a more sustainable solution. This can be achieved through the reuse of plastic items, or by using plastic waste as a resource for new materials, instead of discarding them as waste. As the discovery of plastic-degrading/utilizing microorganisms and enzymes has been extensively reported recently, the possibility of developing biological plastic upcycling processes is opening up. An increasing amount of studies have investigated the use of plastic as a carbon source for biotechnological processes to produce high-value compounds such as bioplastics, biochemicals, and biosurfactants. In the current review, the advancements in fossil-based plastic bio- and thermochemical upcycling technologies are presented and critically discussed. In particular, we highlight the developed (bio)depolymerization coupled with bioconversion/fermentation processes to obtain industrially valuable products. This review is expected to contribute to the future development and scale-up of effective plastic bioupcycling processes that can act as a drive to increase waste removal from the environment and valorize post-consumer plastic streams, thus accelerating the implementation of a circular (plastic) economy.
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33
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Degradation-fragmentation of marine plastic waste and their environmental implications: A critical review. ARAB J CHEM 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.arabjc.2022.104262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
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Bher A, Mayekar PC, Auras RA, Schvezov CE. Biodegradation of Biodegradable Polymers in Mesophilic Aerobic Environments. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:12165. [PMID: 36293023 PMCID: PMC9603655 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232012165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2022] [Revised: 10/03/2022] [Accepted: 10/07/2022] [Indexed: 08/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Finding alternatives to diminish plastic pollution has become one of the main challenges of modern life. A few alternatives have gained potential for a shift toward a more circular and sustainable relationship with plastics. Biodegradable polymers derived from bio- and fossil-based sources have emerged as one feasible alternative to overcome inconveniences associated with the use and disposal of non-biodegradable polymers. The biodegradation process depends on the environment's factors, microorganisms and associated enzymes, and the polymer properties, resulting in a plethora of parameters that create a complex process whereby biodegradation times and rates can vary immensely. This review aims to provide a background and a comprehensive, systematic, and critical overview of this complex process with a special focus on the mesophilic range. Activity toward depolymerization by extracellular enzymes, biofilm effect on the dynamic of the degradation process, CO2 evolution evaluating the extent of biodegradation, and metabolic pathways are discussed. Remarks and perspectives for potential future research are provided with a focus on the current knowledge gaps if the goal is to minimize the persistence of plastics across environments. Innovative approaches such as the addition of specific compounds to trigger depolymerization under particular conditions, biostimulation, bioaugmentation, and the addition of natural and/or modified enzymes are state-of-the-art methods that need faster development. Furthermore, methods must be connected to standards and techniques that fully track the biodegradation process. More transdisciplinary research within areas of polymer chemistry/processing and microbiology/biochemistry is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anibal Bher
- School of Packaging, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
- Instituto de Materiales de Misiones, CONICET-UNaM, Posadas 3300, Misiones, Argentina
| | - Pooja C. Mayekar
- School of Packaging, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - Rafael A. Auras
- School of Packaging, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - Carlos E. Schvezov
- Instituto de Materiales de Misiones, CONICET-UNaM, Posadas 3300, Misiones, Argentina
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Liu J, Liu J, Xu B, Xu A, Cao S, Wei R, Zhou J, Jiang M, Dong W. Biodegradation of polyether-polyurethane foam in yellow mealworms (Tenebrio molitor) and effects on the gut microbiome. CHEMOSPHERE 2022; 304:135263. [PMID: 35697110 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.135263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2021] [Revised: 05/20/2022] [Accepted: 06/04/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Polyurethane (PU) is one of the mass-produced recalcitrant plastics with a high environmental resistance but extremely low biodegradability. Therefore, improperly disposed PU waste adds significantly to plastic pollution, which must be addressed immediately. In recent years, there has been an increasing number of reports on plastic biodegradation in insect larvae, especially those that can feed on polyethylene and polystyrene. This study revealed that yellow mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) larvae can chew and ingest polyether-PU foams efficiently, resulting in a significant mass loss of nearly 67% after 35 days at a similar survival rate compared to when fed on bran. However, polyether-PU fragments were found in the frass of T. molitor, indicating that polyether-PU biodegradation and bioconversion in intestinal tracts were not complete. The scission of ether and urethane bonds in the polyether-PU can be evidenced by comparing polymer fragments recovered from frass with the pristine ones using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Gel permeation chromatography suggested the release of low-molecular-weight oligomers as a result of the biodegradation, which also resulted in poor thermal stability of the polyether-PU foam as determined by thermogravimetric analysis. High-throughput sequencing of the gut microbiome revealed significant changes in the microbial community populations due to the polyether-PU diet, for example, an increase in the families Enterobacteriaceae and Streptococcaceae, suggesting that these microorganisms may contribute to the polyether-PU biodegradation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiawei Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, 211800, PR China
| | - Jingyuan Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, 211800, PR China
| | - Bin Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, 211800, PR China
| | - Anming Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, 211800, PR China
| | - Shixiang Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, 211800, PR China
| | - Ren Wei
- Junior Research Group Plastic Biodegradation, Department of Biotechnology and Enzyme Catalysis, Institute of Biochemistry, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Jie Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, 211800, PR China.
| | - Min Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, 211800, PR China
| | - Weiliang Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, 211800, PR China.
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36
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A Review of Rigid Polymeric Cellular Foams and Their Greener Tannin-Based Alternatives. Polymers (Basel) 2022; 14:polym14193974. [PMID: 36235923 PMCID: PMC9572835 DOI: 10.3390/polym14193974] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Revised: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
This review focuses on the description of the main processes and materials used for the formulation of rigid polymer foams. Polyurethanes and their derivatives, as well as phenolic systems, are described, and their main components, foaming routes, end of life, and recycling are considered. Due to environmental concerns and the need to find bio-based alternatives for these products, special attention is given to a recent class of polymeric foams: tannin-based foams. In addition to their formulation and foaming procedures, their main structural, thermal, mechanical, and fire resistance properties are described in detail, with emphasis on their advanced applications and recycling routes. These systems have been shown to possess very interesting properties that allow them to be considered as potential substitutes for non-renewable rigid polymeric cellular foams.
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37
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Bandegi A, Montemayor M, Manas‐Zloczower I. Vitrimerization of rigid thermoset polyurethane foams: A mechanochemical method to recycle and reprocess thermosets. POLYM ADVAN TECHNOL 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/pat.5827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Alireza Bandegi
- Department of Macromolecular Science and Engineering Case Western Reserve University Cleveland Ohio USA
| | - Maya Montemayor
- Department of Macromolecular Science and Engineering Case Western Reserve University Cleveland Ohio USA
| | - Ica Manas‐Zloczower
- Department of Macromolecular Science and Engineering Case Western Reserve University Cleveland Ohio USA
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38
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Mat Yasin N, Akkermans S, Van Impe JFM. Enhancing the biodegradation of (bio)plastic through pretreatments: A critical review. WASTE MANAGEMENT (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2022; 150:1-12. [PMID: 35780576 DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2022.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Revised: 06/02/2022] [Accepted: 06/06/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
As plastic packaging becomes nearly indispensable in the plastic economy, rigorous efforts have been made to recapture the material value form this waste stream, which is mostly composed of highly resistant plastics. Biodegradation offers an attractive alternative for conventional plastic waste treatment as this approach is environmentally friendly, has low cost and facilitates valorisation. Moreover, there is also an increasing interest in plastic pretreatments waste to enhance biodegradation. This review investigates the pretreatment methods that optimise plastic biodegradation by examining the process's mechanisms and key influencing factors, which can be categorised into: biotic factors, abiotic factors and polymer characteristics. Various types of chemical and physical pretreatments have demonstrated to effectively enhance biodegradation through oxidation and surface changes on the plastics, leading to increased bioconversion rates and biogas production. A critical evaluation of the various categories of pretreatment methods is presented. This evaluation leads to the conclusion that the category of non-thermal physical treatments is most promising, due to the relatively low energy requirements and the absence of a need for chemical additions. Moreover, non-thermal physical treatments have demonstrated application potential at large scale. Based on these conclusions, pretreatments are expected to be an integral part of the biodegradation of plastics within a circular economy approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Najwa Mat Yasin
- BioTeC+ - Chemical and Biochemical Process Technology and Control, Department of Chemical Engineering, KU Leuven, Gebroeders De Smetstraat 1, 9000 Gent, Belgium; Faculty of Ocean Engineering and Informatics, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT), 21030 Terengganu, Malaysia.
| | - Simen Akkermans
- BioTeC+ - Chemical and Biochemical Process Technology and Control, Department of Chemical Engineering, KU Leuven, Gebroeders De Smetstraat 1, 9000 Gent, Belgium.
| | - Jan F M Van Impe
- BioTeC+ - Chemical and Biochemical Process Technology and Control, Department of Chemical Engineering, KU Leuven, Gebroeders De Smetstraat 1, 9000 Gent, Belgium.
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39
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Khruengsai S, Sripahco T, Pripdeevech P. Biodegradation of Polyester Polyurethane by Embarria clematidis. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:874842. [PMID: 35774449 PMCID: PMC9237533 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.874842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Polyester urethanes (PUR) are widely used in industries and have led to a worldwide plastic waste problem. Thus, novel solutions for PUR degradation are required to reduce environmental pollution. This work investigates the PUR biodegradation efficiency of 33 fungal species using a polyester-polyurethane colloid branded Impranil DLN (Impranil) compared to Aspergillus niger, which served as the positive control. The biodegradation is evaluated based on its ability to clear Impranil in media. Eleven fungi can clear Impranil in both solid- and liquid-medium assays. The highest degradation was attributed to Embarria clematidis cultured with Impranil as a carbon source. The degradation was confirmed by the Sturm test, Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). From the Sturm test, CO2 at a concentration of 0.85 g/L was found in E. clematidis cultured with 150 mL of Impranil solution after a 2-week incubation period while the CO2 at a concentration of 0.53 g/L was detected from A. niger in the same conditions. The biodegradation was further confirmed by evaluating the clearance percentage of supernatant of E. clematidis and A. niger culturing with Impranil from the Sturm test. The clearance percentage of E. clematidis and A. niger supernatant was 88.84 and 48.97%, respectively. Moreover, the degradation of soft segment and breakdown of ester linkages were observed, as evidenced by the decrease of the carbonyl (1,715 cm–1) and N-H stretching (1,340 cm–1 and 1,020 cm–1) FTIR spectral peaks, respectively. GC-MS detected 3Z-heptenol, 5Z-octenol, 2E,4E-hexadienol acetate, and 3E,6Z-nonadienol as degradation products from the E. clematidis culture supernatant. This fungus was screened for its ability to produce extracellular esterase, protease, and urease enzymes. Extracellular esterase, very low urease, and no protease activities were detected in the culture supernatant of E. clematidis in the presence of Impranil. E. clematidis can degrade Impranil partially via hydrolysis of ester linkages by cell-bound esterases at a considerable rate without any prior treatment. This fungus not only degraded Impranil but also mineralized them into CO2 and H2O. E. clematidis can be applied in the process of biochemical depolymerization of PUR for the pure monomers recycling.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Patcharee Pripdeevech
- School of Science, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai, Thailand
- Center of Chemical Innovation for Sustainability (CIS), Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai, Thailand
- *Correspondence: Patcharee Pripdeevech,
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40
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Fungal Enzymes Involved in Plastics Biodegradation. Microorganisms 2022; 10:microorganisms10061180. [PMID: 35744698 PMCID: PMC9230134 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10061180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2022] [Revised: 06/01/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Plastic pollution is a growing environmental problem, in part due to the extremely stable and durable nature of this polymer. As recycling does not provide a complete solution, research has been focusing on alternative ways of degrading plastic. Fungi provide a wide array of enzymes specialized in the degradation of recalcitrant substances and are very promising candidates in the field of plastic degradation. This review examines the present literature for different fungal enzymes involved in plastic degradation, describing their characteristics, efficacy and biotechnological applications. Fungal laccases and peroxidases, generally used by fungi to degrade lignin, show good results in degrading polyethylene (PE) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC), while esterases such as cutinases and lipases were successfully used to degrade polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polyurethane (PUR). Good results were also obtained on PUR by fungal proteases and ureases. All these enzymes were isolated from many different fungi, from both Basidiomycetes and Ascomycetes, and have shown remarkable efficiency in plastic biodegradation under laboratory conditions. Therefore, future research should focus on the interactions between the genes, proteins, metabolites and environmental conditions involved in the processes. Further steps such as the improvement in catalytic efficiency and genetic engineering could lead these enzymes to become biotechnological applications in the field of plastic degradation.
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41
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Zhang Y, Pedersen JN, Eser BE, Guo Z. Biodegradation of polyethylene and polystyrene: From microbial deterioration to enzyme discovery. Biotechnol Adv 2022; 60:107991. [PMID: 35654281 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2022.107991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Revised: 05/10/2022] [Accepted: 05/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
The global production of plastics has continuously been soaring over the last decades due to their extensive use in our daily life and in industries. Although synthetic plastics offer great advantages from packaging to construction and electronics, their low biodegradability induce serious plastic pollution that damage the environment, human health and make irreversible changes in the ecological cycle. In particular, plastics containing only carbon-carbon (C-C) backbone are less susceptible to degradation due to the lack of hydrolysable groups. The representative polyethylene (PE) and polystyrene (PS) account for about 40% of the total plastic production. Various chemical and biological processes with great potential have been developed for plastic recycle and reuse, but biodegradation seems to be the most attractive and eco-friendly method to combat this growing environmental problem. In this review, we first summarize the current advances in PE and PS biodegradation, including isolation of microbes and potential degrading enzymes from different sources. Next, the state-of-the-art techniques used for evaluating and monitoring PE and PS degradation, the scientific toolboxes for enzyme discovery as well as the challenges and strategies for plastic biodegradation are intensively discussed. In return, it inspires a further technological exploration in expanding the diversity of species and enzymes, disclosing the essential pathways and developing new approaches to utilize plastic waste as feedstock for recycling and upcycling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Zhang
- Department of Biological and Chemical Engineering, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark
| | | | - Bekir Engin Eser
- Department of Biological and Chemical Engineering, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Zheng Guo
- Department of Biological and Chemical Engineering, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark.
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42
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Barcoto MO, Rodrigues A. Lessons From Insect Fungiculture: From Microbial Ecology to Plastics Degradation. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:812143. [PMID: 35685924 PMCID: PMC9171207 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.812143] [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: 11/09/2021] [Accepted: 03/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Anthropogenic activities have extensively transformed the biosphere by extracting and disposing of resources, crossing boundaries of planetary threat while causing a global crisis of waste overload. Despite fundamental differences regarding structure and recalcitrance, lignocellulose and plastic polymers share physical-chemical properties to some extent, that include carbon skeletons with similar chemical bonds, hydrophobic properties, amorphous and crystalline regions. Microbial strategies for metabolizing recalcitrant polymers have been selected and optimized through evolution, thus understanding natural processes for lignocellulose modification could aid the challenge of dealing with the recalcitrant human-made polymers spread worldwide. We propose to look for inspiration in the charismatic fungal-growing insects to understand multipartite degradation of plant polymers. Independently evolved in diverse insect lineages, fungiculture embraces passive or active fungal cultivation for food, protection, and structural purposes. We consider there is much to learn from these symbioses, in special from the community-level degradation of recalcitrant biomass and defensive metabolites. Microbial plant-degrading systems at the core of insect fungicultures could be promising candidates for degrading synthetic plastics. Here, we first compare the degradation of lignocellulose and plastic polymers, with emphasis in the overlapping microbial players and enzymatic activities between these processes. Second, we review the literature on diverse insect fungiculture systems, focusing on features that, while supporting insects' ecology and evolution, could also be applied in biotechnological processes. Third, taking lessons from these microbial communities, we suggest multidisciplinary strategies to identify microbial degraders, degrading enzymes and pathways, as well as microbial interactions and interdependencies. Spanning from multiomics to spectroscopy, microscopy, stable isotopes probing, enrichment microcosmos, and synthetic communities, these strategies would allow for a systemic understanding of the fungiculture ecology, driving to application possibilities. Detailing how the metabolic landscape is entangled to achieve ecological success could inspire sustainable efforts for mitigating the current environmental crisis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana O. Barcoto
- Center for the Study of Social Insects, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Rio Claro, Brazil
- Department of General and Applied Biology, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Rio Claro, Brazil
| | - Andre Rodrigues
- Center for the Study of Social Insects, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Rio Claro, Brazil
- Department of General and Applied Biology, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Rio Claro, Brazil
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Delangiz N, Aliyar S, Pashapoor N, Nobaharan K, Asgari Lajayer B, Rodríguez-Couto S. Can polymer-degrading microorganisms solve the bottleneck of plastics' environmental challenges? CHEMOSPHERE 2022; 294:133709. [PMID: 35074325 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.133709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2021] [Revised: 11/27/2021] [Accepted: 01/18/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Increasing world population and industrial activities have enhanced anthropogenic pollution, plastic pollution being especially alarming. So, plastics should be recycled and/or make them biodegradable. Chemical and physical remediating methods are usually energy consuming and costly. In addition, they are not ecofriendly and usually produce toxic byproducts. Bioremediation is a proper option as it is cost-efficient and environmentally friendly. Plastic production and consumption are increasing daily, and, as a consequence, more microorganisms are exposed to these nonbiodegradable polymers. Therefore, investigating new efficient microorganisms and increasing the knowledge about their biology can pave the way for efficient and feasible plastic bioremediation processes. In this sense, omics, systems biology and bioinformatics are three important fields to analyze the biodegradation pathways in microorganisms. Based on the above-mentioned technologies, researchers can engineer microorganisms with specific desired properties to make bioremediation more efficient.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nasser Delangiz
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Breeding, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran.
| | - Sajad Aliyar
- Department of Soil Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Neda Pashapoor
- Department of Soil Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran
| | | | - Behnam Asgari Lajayer
- Department of Soil Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran.
| | - Susana Rodríguez-Couto
- Department of Separation Science, LUT School of Engineering Science, LUT University, Sammonkatu 12, FI-50130 Mikkeli, Finland
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Zhang L, Tian H, Zhang M, Wu L, Guo W, Fang F, Sun X, Zhong Z, Du L, Liu Z. Preparation and Properties of Bio-Based Polyurethane Controlled Release Urea Coating with Photosensitivity. ACS OMEGA 2022; 7:8558-8569. [PMID: 35309463 PMCID: PMC8928513 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.1c06432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2021] [Accepted: 01/19/2022] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
In order to improve the photodegradation ability of fertilizer coating material and realize the sustainability of fertilizers, in this study, the commercially available photosensitive iron stearate (FeSt3) was wet-ground into submicrometer FeSt3 (SFeSt3) particles and used in preparation of a SFeSt3-modified bio-based polyurethane (PU)-coated controlled release urea (PU-SFe-CRU). The results showed that after 1 month photodegradation, the coating material had significant yellowing, the oxygen content of SFeSt3-modified PU (PU-SFe) increased by 56.89%, and its structure became more porous and looser than PU. The thermal stability of PU-SFe decreased, and more intermediate products were produced after exposure to UV light. The germination experiment showed that PU-SFe before and after photodegradation (up to 60 mg/L) had no adverse effect on the seed germination and bud growth of rice. Additionally, PU-SFe had a significantly higher Cr adsorption capacity after photodegradation due to the increase of the oxygen-containing group and specific surface. This study provides a theoretical basis for the research and development of photodegradable environment-friendly controlled release urea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lina Zhang
- National
Engineering Research Center for Efficient Utilization of Soil and
Fertilizer Resources, College of Recourses and Environment, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian 271018, China
| | - Hongyu Tian
- National
Engineering Research Center for Efficient Utilization of Soil and
Fertilizer Resources, College of Recourses and Environment, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian 271018, China
| | - Min Zhang
- National
Engineering Research Center for Efficient Utilization of Soil and
Fertilizer Resources, College of Recourses and Environment, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian 271018, China
| | - Liang Wu
- Key
Laboratory of Crop Specific Fertilizer, Ministry of Agriculture and
Rural Affairs, Xinyangfeng Agricultural
Technology Co Ltd., Jingmen, Hubei 448001, China
| | - Wusong Guo
- Key
Laboratory of Crop Specific Fertilizer, Ministry of Agriculture and
Rural Affairs, Xinyangfeng Agricultural
Technology Co Ltd., Jingmen, Hubei 448001, China
| | - Fuli Fang
- Key
Laboratory of Crop Specific Fertilizer, Ministry of Agriculture and
Rural Affairs, Xinyangfeng Agricultural
Technology Co Ltd., Jingmen, Hubei 448001, China
| | - Xiao Sun
- National
Engineering Research Center for Efficient Utilization of Soil and
Fertilizer Resources, College of Recourses and Environment, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian 271018, China
| | - Zijing Zhong
- National
Engineering Research Center for Efficient Utilization of Soil and
Fertilizer Resources, College of Recourses and Environment, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian 271018, China
| | - Longxu Du
- National
Engineering Research Center for Efficient Utilization of Soil and
Fertilizer Resources, College of Recourses and Environment, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian 271018, China
| | - Zhiguang Liu
- National
Engineering Research Center for Efficient Utilization of Soil and
Fertilizer Resources, College of Recourses and Environment, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian 271018, China
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Singh Jadaun J, Bansal S, Sonthalia A, Rai AK, Singh SP. Biodegradation of plastics for sustainable environment. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2022; 347:126697. [PMID: 35026422 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2022.126697] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2021] [Revised: 12/31/2021] [Accepted: 01/06/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Plastics are a kind of utility product that has become part and parcel of one's life. Their continuous usage, accumulation, and contamination of soil and water pose a severe threat to the biotic and abiotic components of the environment. It not only increases the carbon footprints but also contributes to global warming. This calls for an urgent need to develop novel strategies for the efficient degradation of plastics. The microbial strains equipped with the potential of degrading plastic materials, which can further be converted into usable products, are blessings for the ecosystem. This review comprehensively summarizes the microbial technologies to degrade different plastic types, such as polyethylene (PE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polystyrene (PS), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polypropylene (PP), and polyurethane (PU). The study also describes the utilization of degraded plastic material as feedstock for its conversion into high-value chemicals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jyoti Singh Jadaun
- Department of Botany, Dayanand Girls Postgraduate College, Kanpur 208001, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Shilpi Bansal
- ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, Pusa, New Delhi 10012, India
| | - Ankit Sonthalia
- SRM Institute of Science and Technology, NCR Campus, Modi Nagar- 201204, Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Amit K Rai
- Institute of Bioresources and Sustainable Development, Regional Centre, Tadong, Sikkim, India
| | - Sudhir P Singh
- Center of Innovative and Applied Bioprocessing, SAS Nagar, Mohali-140306, Punjab, India.
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Extracellular degradation of a polyurethane oligomer involving outer membrane vesicles and further insights on the degradation of 2,4-diaminotoluene in Pseudomonas capeferrum TDA1. Sci Rep 2022; 12:2666. [PMID: 35177693 PMCID: PMC8854710 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-06558-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2021] [Accepted: 02/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The continuing reports of plastic pollution in various ecosystems highlight the threat posed by the ever-increasing consumption of synthetic polymers. Therefore, Pseudomonas capeferrum TDA1, a strain recently isolated from a plastic dump site, was examined further regarding its ability to degrade polyurethane (PU) compounds. The previously reported degradation pathway for 2,4-toluene diamine, a precursor and degradation intermediate of PU, could be confirmed by RNA-seq in this organism. In addition, different cell fractions of cells grown on a PU oligomer were tested for extracellular hydrolytic activity using a standard assay. Strikingly, purified outer membrane vesicles (OMV) of P. capeferrum TDA1 grown on a PU oligomer showed higher esterase activity than cell pellets. Hydrolases in the OMV fraction possibly involved in extracellular PU degradation were identified by mass spectrometry. On this basis, we propose a model for extracellular degradation of polyester-based PUs by P. capeferrum TDA1 involving the role of OMVs in synthetic polymer degradation.
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Baldera-Moreno Y, Pino V, Farres A, Banerjee A, Gordillo F, Andler R. Biotechnological Aspects and Mathematical Modeling of the Biodegradation of Plastics under Controlled Conditions. Polymers (Basel) 2022; 14:polym14030375. [PMID: 35160364 PMCID: PMC8840406 DOI: 10.3390/polym14030375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Revised: 01/04/2022] [Accepted: 01/05/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The strong environmental impact caused by plastic pollution has led research to address studies from different perspectives. The mathematical modeling of the biodegradation kinetics of solid materials is a major challenge since there are many influential variables in the process and there is interdependence of microorganisms with internal and external factors. In addition, as solid substrates that are highly hydrophobic, mass transfer limitations condition degradation rates. Some mathematical models have been postulated in order to understand the biodegradation of plastics in natural environments such as oceans. However, if tangible and optimizable solutions are to be found, it is necessary to study the biodegradation process under controlled conditions, such as using bioreactors and composting systems. This review summarizes the biochemical fundamentals of the main plastics (both petrochemical and biological origins) involved in biodegradation processes and combines them with the main mathematical equations and models proposed to date. The different biodegradation studies of plastics under controlled conditions are addressed, analyzing the influencing factors, assumptions, model developments, and correlations with laboratory-scale results. It is hoped that this review will provide a comprehensive overview of the process and will serve as a reference for future studies, combining practical experimental work and bioprocess modeling systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yvan Baldera-Moreno
- Facultad de Ciencias Básicas, Universidad Católica del Maule, Talca 3460000, Chile;
| | - Valentina Pino
- Escuela de Ingeniería en Biotecnología, Centro de Biotecnología de los Recursos Naturales (Cenbio), Universidad Católica del Maule, Talca 3460000, Chile; (V.P.); (F.G.)
| | - Amelia Farres
- Departamento de Alimentos y Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de Mexico 04510, Mexico;
| | - Aparna Banerjee
- Centro de Investigación de Estudios Avanzados del Maule, Vicerrectoría de Investigación y Postgrado, Universidad Católica del Maule, Talca 3460000, Chile;
| | - Felipe Gordillo
- Escuela de Ingeniería en Biotecnología, Centro de Biotecnología de los Recursos Naturales (Cenbio), Universidad Católica del Maule, Talca 3460000, Chile; (V.P.); (F.G.)
| | - Rodrigo Andler
- Escuela de Ingeniería en Biotecnología, Centro de Biotecnología de los Recursos Naturales (Cenbio), Universidad Católica del Maule, Talca 3460000, Chile; (V.P.); (F.G.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +56-9-6166-2898
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Qiu H, Feng K, Gapeeva A, Meurisch K, Kaps S, Li X, Yu L, Mishra YK, Adelung R, Baum M. Functional Polymer Materials for Modern Marine Biofouling Control. Prog Polym Sci 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.progpolymsci.2022.101516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
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Ortega F, Versino F, López OV, García MA. Biobased composites from agro-industrial wastes and by-products. EMERGENT MATERIALS 2022; 5:873-921. [PMID: 34849454 PMCID: PMC8614084 DOI: 10.1007/s42247-021-00319-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2021] [Accepted: 10/14/2021] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
The greater awareness of non-renewable natural resources preservation needs has led to the development of more ecological high-performance polymeric materials with new functionalities. In this regard, biobased composites are considered interesting options, especially those obtained from agro-industrial wastes and by-products. These are low-cost raw materials derived from renewable sources, which are mostly biodegradable and would otherwise typically be discarded. In this review, recent and innovative academic studies on composites obtained from biopolymers, natural fillers and active agents, as well as green-synthesized nanoparticles are presented. An in-depth discussion of biobased composites structures, properties, manufacture, and life-cycle assessment (LCA) is provided along with a wide up-to-date overview of the most recent works in the field with appropriate references. Potential uses of biobased composites from agri-food residues such as active and intelligent food packaging, agricultural inputs, tissue engineering, among others are described, considering that the specific characteristics of these materials should match the proposed application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florencia Ortega
- Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Criotecnología de Alimentos (CIDCA), UNLP-CONICET-CICPBA, 47 y 116 (1900), La Plata, Argentina
| | - Florencia Versino
- Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Criotecnología de Alimentos (CIDCA), UNLP-CONICET-CICPBA, 47 y 116 (1900), La Plata, Argentina
| | - Olivia Valeria López
- Planta Piloto de Ingeniería Química (PLAPIQUI), UNS-CONICET, Camino La Carrindanga km.7 (8000), Bahía Blanca, Argentina
| | - María Alejandra García
- Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Criotecnología de Alimentos (CIDCA), UNLP-CONICET-CICPBA, 47 y 116 (1900), La Plata, Argentina
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50
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Chattopadhyay I. Role of microbiome and biofilm in environmental plastic degradation. BIOCATALYSIS AND AGRICULTURAL BIOTECHNOLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bcab.2021.102263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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