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Yan ZF, Feng CQ, Chen XQ, Jin CX, Xia W, Chen S, Wu J. Design and construction of chemical-biological module clusters for degradation and assimilation of poly(ethylene terephthalate) waste. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2024; 361:121258. [PMID: 38815428 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.121258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2023] [Revised: 04/11/2024] [Accepted: 05/25/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024]
Abstract
The rising accumulation of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) waste presents an urgent ecological challenge, necessitating an efficient and economical treatment technology. Here, we developed chemical-biological module clusters that perform chemical pretreatment, enzymatic degradation, and microbial assimilation for the large-scale treatment of PET waste. This module cluster included (i) a chemical pretreatment that involves incorporating polycaprolactone (PCL) at a weight ratio of 2% (PET:PCL = 98:2) into PET via mechanical blending, which effectively reduces the crystallinity and enhances degradation; (ii) enzymatic degradation using Thermobifida fusca cutinase variant (4Mz), that achieves complete degradation of pretreated PET at 300 g/L PET, with an enzymatic loading of 1 mg protein per gram of PET; and (iii) microbial assimilation, where Rhodococcus jostii RHA1 metabolizes the degradation products, assimilating each monomer at a rate above 90%. A comparative life cycle assessment demonstrated that the carbon emissions from our module clusters (0.25 kg CO2-eq/kg PET) are lower than those from other established approaches. This study pioneers a closed-loop system that seamlessly incorporates pretreatment, degradation, and assimilation processes, thus mitigating the environmental impacts of PET waste and propelling the development of a circular PET economy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zheng-Fei Yan
- School of Biotechnology and Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology Ministry of Education, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Avenue, Wuxi, 214122, China; International Joint Laboratory on Food Safety, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Avenue, Wuxi, 214122, China.
| | - Chu-Qi Feng
- School of Biotechnology and Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology Ministry of Education, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Avenue, Wuxi, 214122, China; International Joint Laboratory on Food Safety, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Avenue, Wuxi, 214122, China
| | - Xiao-Qian Chen
- School of Biotechnology and Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology Ministry of Education, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Avenue, Wuxi, 214122, China; International Joint Laboratory on Food Safety, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Avenue, Wuxi, 214122, China
| | - Chang-Xu Jin
- School of Biotechnology and Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology Ministry of Education, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Avenue, Wuxi, 214122, China; International Joint Laboratory on Food Safety, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Avenue, Wuxi, 214122, China
| | - Wei Xia
- School of Biotechnology and Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology Ministry of Education, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Avenue, Wuxi, 214122, China; International Joint Laboratory on Food Safety, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Avenue, Wuxi, 214122, China
| | - Sheng Chen
- School of Biotechnology and Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology Ministry of Education, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Avenue, Wuxi, 214122, China; International Joint Laboratory on Food Safety, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Avenue, Wuxi, 214122, China
| | - Jing Wu
- School of Biotechnology and Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology Ministry of Education, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Avenue, Wuxi, 214122, China; International Joint Laboratory on Food Safety, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Avenue, Wuxi, 214122, China.
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Pereyra‐Camacho MA, Pardo I. Plastics and the Sustainable Development Goals: From waste to wealth with microbial recycling and upcycling. Microb Biotechnol 2024; 17:e14459. [PMID: 38588222 PMCID: PMC11001195 DOI: 10.1111/1751-7915.14459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2024] [Revised: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Plastics pollution has become one of the greatest concerns of the 21st century. To date, around 10 billion tons of plastics have been produced almost exclusively from non-renewable sources, and of these, <10% have been recycled. The majority of discarded plastic waste (>70%) is accumulating in landfills or the environment, causing severe impacts to natural ecosystems and human health. Considering how plastics are present in every aspect of our daily lives, it is evident that a transition towards a Circular Economy of plastics is essential to achieve several of the Sustainable Development Goals. In this editorial, we highlight how microbial biotechnology can contribute to this shift, with a special focus on the biological recycling of conventional plastics and the upcycling of plastic-waste feedstocks into new value-added products. Although important hurdles will need to be overcome in this endeavour, recent success stories highlight how interdisciplinary approaches can bring us closer to a bio-based economy for the sustainable management of plastics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco A. Pereyra‐Camacho
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Margarita Salas, CSICMadridSpain
- Interdisciplinary Platform SusPlast, CSICMadridSpain
| | - Isabel Pardo
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Margarita Salas, CSICMadridSpain
- Interdisciplinary Platform SusPlast, CSICMadridSpain
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3
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Weiland F, Kohlstedt M, Wittmann C. Biobased de novo synthesis, upcycling, and recycling - the heartbeat toward a green and sustainable polyethylene terephthalate industry. Curr Opin Biotechnol 2024; 86:103079. [PMID: 38422776 DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2024.103079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2023] [Revised: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) has revolutionized the industrial sector because of its versatility, with its predominant uses in the textiles and packaging materials industries. Despite the various advantages of this polymer, its synthesis is, unfavorably, tightly intertwined with nonrenewable fossil resources. Additionally, given its widespread use, accumulating PET waste poses a significant environmental challenge. As a result, current research in the areas of biological recycling, upcycling, and de novo synthesis is intensifying. Biological recycling involves the use of micro-organisms or enzymes to breakdown PET into monomers, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional recycling. Upcycling transforms PET waste into value-added products, expanding its potential application range and promoting a circular economy. Moreover, studies of cascading biological and chemical processes driven by microbial cell factories have explored generating PET using renewable, biobased feedstocks such as lignin. These avenues of research promise to mitigate the environmental footprint of PET, underlining the importance of sustainable innovations in the industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabia Weiland
- Institute of Systems Biotechnology, Saarland University, Germany
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Gopal MR, Kunjapur AM. Harnessing biocatalysis to achieve selective functional group interconversion of monomers. Curr Opin Biotechnol 2024; 86:103093. [PMID: 38417202 DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2024.103093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2023] [Revised: 01/28/2024] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/01/2024]
Abstract
Polymeric materials are ubiquitous to modern life. However, reliance of petroleum for polymeric building blocks is not sustainable. The synthesis of macromolecules from recalcitrant polymer waste feedstocks, such as plastic waste and lignocellulosic biomass, presents an opportunity to bypass the use of petroleum-based feedstocks. However, the deconstruction and transformation of these alternative feedstocks remained limited until recently. Herein, we highlight examples of monomers liberated from the deconstruction of recalcitrant polymers, and more extensively, we showcase the state-of-the-art in biocatalytic technologies that are enabling synthesis of diverse upcycled monomeric starting materials for a wide variety of macromolecules. Overall, this review emphasizes the importance of functional group interconversion as a promising strategy by which biocatalysis can aid the diversification and upcycling of monomers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madan R Gopal
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, USA; Center for Plastics Innovation, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, USA
| | - Aditya M Kunjapur
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, USA; Center for Plastics Innovation, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, USA.
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Kag S, Kumar P, Kataria R. Acid hydrolysis of Solanum tuberosum periderm for accumulation of polyhydroxyalkanoates in Pseudomonas putida MTCC 2475. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2024; 12:1343540. [PMID: 38384435 PMCID: PMC10879603 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2024.1343540] [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: 11/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Polyhydroxyalkanoates are a class of biodegradable, biocompatible polymers composed of polyesters of R-hydroxyalkanoic acids and deposited intracellularly by a variety of microorganisms which have potential to serve as alternative to commercial plastic. Bioplastics are gaining attention due to sustainability, biodegradability, biocompatibility, and lower carbon footprint. Nevertheless, the commercialization of PHA is predominantly hindered by the elevated production expenses arising primarily from the use of a pure sugar substrate. Our study has established a feasible method for bioplastic formation applying Pseudomonas putida MTCC 2475 and Solanum tuberosum periderm as a carbon source. To optimize the sugar yield response surface methodology was used, which released 69.34% ± 0.25% reducing sugar. PHA production experiments were performed in hydrolysate containing media as well as commercial sugar containing mineral salt media. After 48 h of fermentation of using this sugar, a biomass concentration of 2.19 gL-1, with a PHA production of 0.60 gL-1 (28.71% ± 0.55%) was obtained which was comparatively similar with synthetic media (2.56 gL-1 cell dry weight and 29.97% ± 0.45% PHA). Furthermore, the monomers of PHA produced by hydrolysate were characterized using Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and nuclear magnetic resonance. This investigation has identified three distinct monomers of medium-chain PHAs, namely, methyl 3-Hydroxydodecanoate, 3-Hydroxytetradecanoate, and Hexadecanoic acid 3-Hydroxy methyl esters. Hence this study concludes a sustainable production of bioplastics from S. tuberosum periderm waste.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonika Kag
- Department of Biotechnology, Delhi Technological University (DTU), Delhi, India
| | - Pravir Kumar
- Department of Biotechnology, Delhi Technological University (DTU), Delhi, India
| | - Rashmi Kataria
- Department of Biotechnology, Delhi Technological University (DTU), Delhi, India
- School of Bio Sciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India
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Amalia L, Chang CY, Wang SSS, Yeh YC, Tsai SL. Recent advances in the biological depolymerization and upcycling of polyethylene terephthalate. Curr Opin Biotechnol 2024; 85:103053. [PMID: 38128200 DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2023.103053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2023] [Revised: 11/16/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is favored for its exceptional properties and widespread daily use. This review highlights recent advancements that enable the development of biological tools for PET decomposition, transforming PET into valuable platform chemicals and materials in upcycling processes. Enhancing PET hydrolases' catalytic activity and efficiency through protein engineering strategies is a priority, facilitating more effective PET waste management. Efforts to create novel PET hydrolases for large-scale PET depolymerization continue, but cost-effectiveness remains challenging. Hydrolyzed monomers must add additional value to make PET recycling economically attractive. Valorization of hydrolysis products through the upcycling process is expected to produce new compounds with different values and qualities from the initial polymer, making the decomposed monomers more appealing. Advances in synthetic biology and enzyme engineering hold promise for PET upcycling. While biological depolymerization offers environmental benefits, further research is needed to make PET upcycling sustainable and economically feasible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lita Amalia
- Department of Chemical Engineering, National Taiwan University of Science and Technology, Taipei 10607, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Yu Chang
- Department of Chemical Engineering, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan
| | - Steven S-S Wang
- Department of Chemical Engineering, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Chun Yeh
- Department of Chemistry, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei 11677, Taiwan
| | - Shen-Long Tsai
- Department of Chemical Engineering, National Taiwan University of Science and Technology, Taipei 10607, Taiwan.
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Jia Y, Chen D, Xu S, Hu Y, Yuan G, Zhang R, Yu W. Mechanical strength changes of combustible municipal solid waste components during their early pyrolysis stage and mechanism analysis. WASTE MANAGEMENT & RESEARCH : THE JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL SOLID WASTES AND PUBLIC CLEANSING ASSOCIATION, ISWA 2024:734242X231219629. [PMID: 38297502 DOI: 10.1177/0734242x231219629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2024]
Abstract
Implementation of municipal solid waste (MSW) source segregation leads to a more convenient recycle of combustible MSW components. Textiles, plastics and papers are commonly available combustible components in MSW. Their shredding is conducive to resources recovery. But these components usually have high tensile strengths and are difficult to shred. To understand their mechanical strength changes in their early pyrolysis stage will help to address this problem. In this study, a universal electronic testing machine was used to determine the breaking strengths of the materials including cotton towel, polyethylene glycol terephthalate (PET), ivory board (IB), kraft paper (KP) and wool scarf in the temperature range of 30-250°C under N2 atmosphere, and the mechanisms of their strength changes were explored. The reaction force field molecular dynamics (ReaxFF-MD) simulation was used to explain the decomposition behaviours of different sugar groups of hemicellulose in cotton and paper and the change of van der Waals energy of wool during their early pyrolysis stages. The results showed that breaking strengths of all the combustible MSW components reduced as the temperature increased. The breaking strength of PET was found to have the highest descent rate with increasing temperature, then the descent rates of wool and cotton came as the second and third, respectively. Compared with cotton, the breaking strengths of KP and IB decreased more slowly. As the temperature increased, the breaking strength of cotton reduced mainly due to the decomposition of the glucuronic acid in hemicellulose, and the reduction was characterized by CO2 release. The breaking strength reduction of PET was caused by its molecular chain being relaxed. The breaking strength reduction of wool was firstly caused by the decrease in the van der Waals energy between its molecules, and then caused by molecular chain breaking. In addition, in order to understand the influence of material size on the breaking strength change during thermal treatment, the breaking strengths of cotton yarn bundles were correlated with their yarn number and temperature. This study lays the foundation for understanding changes in mechanical strengths of combustible MSW components during their early pyrolysis stage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yifan Jia
- Thermal and Environmental Engineering Institute, School of Mechanical Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Engineering Research Centre of Multi-Source Solid Wastes Co-Processing and Energy Utilization, Shanghai, China
| | - Dezhen Chen
- Thermal and Environmental Engineering Institute, School of Mechanical Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Engineering Research Centre of Multi-Source Solid Wastes Co-Processing and Energy Utilization, Shanghai, China
| | - Sijia Xu
- Thermal and Environmental Engineering Institute, School of Mechanical Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Engineering Research Centre of Multi-Source Solid Wastes Co-Processing and Energy Utilization, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuyan Hu
- Thermal and Environmental Engineering Institute, School of Mechanical Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Engineering Research Centre of Multi-Source Solid Wastes Co-Processing and Energy Utilization, Shanghai, China
| | - Guoan Yuan
- Shanghai Environmental Sanitation Engineering Design Institute Co., Ltd., Shanghai, China
| | - Ruina Zhang
- Shanghai Environmental Sanitation Engineering Design Institute Co., Ltd., Shanghai, China
| | - Weiwei Yu
- Shanghai Environmental Sanitation Engineering Design Institute Co., Ltd., Shanghai, China
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Varzakas T, Smaoui S. Global Food Security and Sustainability Issues: The Road to 2030 from Nutrition and Sustainable Healthy Diets to Food Systems Change. Foods 2024; 13:306. [PMID: 38254606 PMCID: PMC10815419 DOI: 10.3390/foods13020306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2023] [Revised: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
The accomplishment of food/nutrition security for all across sustainable food systems (SFS) is tied to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). SFS is connected to all SDGs via the traditional framework of social inclusion, economic development, environmental safety, inclusivity, and the development of sustainable food systems. We suggest that, for the world to achieve sustainable development, a shift to SFS is necessary to guarantee food/nutrition security for all, while operating within planetary boundaries to protect ecosystems and adapt to and mitigate climate change. Therefore, there is a requirement for original approaches that implement systemic and more participatory methods to engage with a wider range of food system stakeholders. However, the lack of skills and tools regarding novel methodologies for food system transformation is a key obstacle to the deployment of such approaches in practice. In the first part of this review, a summary of some challenges that occur in the governance of food system transformation is given. Through a case study of plant-based proteins and their biological and chemical modification as diets shift towards alternative proteins, we demonstrate that resource-efficient food systems and food waste, through system transformation, are useful in understanding both (i) how food system transformation has ensued and (ii) how the required transformation is prohibited. Finally, we discuss the implications of food system transformation in terms of nutrition and sustainable healthy diets, which are needed to achieve changes in food safety systems in the future. The linkage of food and the environment is evident, focusing on nutrition and sustainable healthy diets. This cannot be accomplished without system change and research towards new foods and, more specifically, new proteins such as plant-based ones and their biological and chemical modification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theodoros Varzakas
- Department of Food Science and Technology, University of the Peloponnese, Antikalamos, 24100 Kalamata, Greece
| | - Slim Smaoui
- Laboratory of Microbial, Enzymatic Biotechnology, and Biomolecules (LBMEB), Center of Biotechnology of Sfax, University of Sfax-Tunisia, Sfax 3029, Tunisia;
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Lv S, Li Y, Zhao S, Shao Z. Biodegradation of Typical Plastics: From Microbial Diversity to Metabolic Mechanisms. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:593. [PMID: 38203764 PMCID: PMC10778777 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25010593] [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: 10/30/2023] [Revised: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 12/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Plastic production has increased dramatically, leading to accumulated plastic waste in the ocean. Marine plastics can be broken down into microplastics (<5 mm) by sunlight, machinery, and pressure. The accumulation of microplastics in organisms and the release of plastic additives can adversely affect the health of marine organisms. Biodegradation is one way to address plastic pollution in an environmentally friendly manner. Marine microorganisms can be more adapted to fluctuating environmental conditions such as salinity, temperature, pH, and pressure compared with terrestrial microorganisms, providing new opportunities to address plastic pollution. Pseudomonadota (Proteobacteria), Bacteroidota (Bacteroidetes), Bacillota (Firmicutes), and Cyanobacteria were frequently found on plastic biofilms and may degrade plastics. Currently, diverse plastic-degrading bacteria are being isolated from marine environments such as offshore and deep oceanic waters, especially Pseudomonas spp. Bacillus spp. Alcanivoras spp. and Actinomycetes. Some marine fungi and algae have also been revealed as plastic degraders. In this review, we focused on the advances in plastic biodegradation by marine microorganisms and their enzymes (esterase, cutinase, laccase, etc.) involved in the process of biodegradation of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polystyrene (PS), polyethylene (PE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and polypropylene (PP) and highlighted the need to study plastic biodegradation in the deep sea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiwei Lv
- Key Laboratory of Marine Genetic Resources, Third Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources of China, Xiamen 361005, China; (S.L.); (Y.L.); (S.Z.)
- School of Environmental Science, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China
| | - Yufei Li
- Key Laboratory of Marine Genetic Resources, Third Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources of China, Xiamen 361005, China; (S.L.); (Y.L.); (S.Z.)
- School of Marine Sciences, China University of Geosciences, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Sufang Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Marine Genetic Resources, Third Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources of China, Xiamen 361005, China; (S.L.); (Y.L.); (S.Z.)
| | - Zongze Shao
- Key Laboratory of Marine Genetic Resources, Third Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources of China, Xiamen 361005, China; (S.L.); (Y.L.); (S.Z.)
- School of Environmental Science, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China
- School of Marine Sciences, China University of Geosciences, Beijing 100083, China
- Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Zhuhai 519000, China
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Herrera DAG, Mojicevic M, Pantelic B, Joshi A, Collins C, Batista M, Torres C, Freitas F, Murray P, Nikodinovic-Runic J, Brennan Fournet M. Exploring Microorganisms from Plastic-Polluted Sites: Unveiling Plastic Degradation and PHA Production Potential. Microorganisms 2023; 11:2914. [PMID: 38138058 PMCID: PMC10745504 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11122914] [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: 10/30/2023] [Revised: 11/23/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The exposure of microorganisms to conventional plastics is a relatively recent occurrence, affording limited time for evolutionary adaptation. As part of the EU-funded project BioICEP, this study delves into the plastic degradation potential of microorganisms isolated from sites with prolonged plastic pollution, such as plastic-polluted forests, biopolymer-contaminated soil, oil-contaminated soil, municipal landfill, but also a distinctive soil sample with plastic pieces buried three decades ago. Additionally, samples from Arthropoda species were investigated. In total, 150 strains were isolated and screened for the ability to use plastic-related substrates (Impranil dispersions, polyethylene terephthalate, terephthalic acid, and bis(2-hydroxyethyl) terephthalate). Twenty isolates selected based on their ability to grow on various substrates were identified as Streptomyces, Bacillus, Enterococcus, and Pseudomonas spp. Morphological features were recorded, and the 16S rRNA sequence was employed to construct a phylogenetic tree. Subsequent assessments unveiled that 5 out of the 20 strains displayed the capability to produce polyhydroxyalkanoates, utilizing pre-treated post-consumer PET samples. With Priestia sp. DG69 and Neobacillus sp. DG40 emerging as the most successful producers (4.14% and 3.34% of PHA, respectively), these strains are poised for further utilization in upcycling purposes, laying the foundation for the development of sustainable strategies for plastic waste management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana A. Garza Herrera
- PRISM Research Institute, Technological University of the Shannon Midlands Midwest, N37HD68 Athlone, Ireland; (D.A.G.H.); (M.B.F.)
| | - Marija Mojicevic
- PRISM Research Institute, Technological University of the Shannon Midlands Midwest, N37HD68 Athlone, Ireland; (D.A.G.H.); (M.B.F.)
| | - Brana Pantelic
- Institute of Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering, University of Belgrade, Vojvode Stepe 444a, 11042 Belgrade, Serbia; (B.P.); (J.N.-R.)
| | - Akanksha Joshi
- Shannon Applied Biotechnology Centre, Midwest Campus, Technological University of the Shannon, V94EC5T Limerick, Ireland; (A.J.); (C.C.); (P.M.)
| | - Catherine Collins
- Shannon Applied Biotechnology Centre, Midwest Campus, Technological University of the Shannon, V94EC5T Limerick, Ireland; (A.J.); (C.C.); (P.M.)
| | - Maria Batista
- UCIBIO—Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit, Department of Chemistry, School of Science and Technology, NOVA University Lisbon, 2829-516 Lisbon, Portugal; (M.B.); (C.T.); (F.F.)
- Associate Laboratory i4HB—Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, School of Science and Technology, NOVA University Lisbon, 2829-516 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Cristiana Torres
- UCIBIO—Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit, Department of Chemistry, School of Science and Technology, NOVA University Lisbon, 2829-516 Lisbon, Portugal; (M.B.); (C.T.); (F.F.)
- Associate Laboratory i4HB—Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, School of Science and Technology, NOVA University Lisbon, 2829-516 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Filomena Freitas
- UCIBIO—Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit, Department of Chemistry, School of Science and Technology, NOVA University Lisbon, 2829-516 Lisbon, Portugal; (M.B.); (C.T.); (F.F.)
- Associate Laboratory i4HB—Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, School of Science and Technology, NOVA University Lisbon, 2829-516 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Patrick Murray
- Shannon Applied Biotechnology Centre, Midwest Campus, Technological University of the Shannon, V94EC5T Limerick, Ireland; (A.J.); (C.C.); (P.M.)
| | - Jasmina Nikodinovic-Runic
- Institute of Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering, University of Belgrade, Vojvode Stepe 444a, 11042 Belgrade, Serbia; (B.P.); (J.N.-R.)
| | - Margaret Brennan Fournet
- PRISM Research Institute, Technological University of the Shannon Midlands Midwest, N37HD68 Athlone, Ireland; (D.A.G.H.); (M.B.F.)
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Liu P, Zheng Y, Yuan Y, Han Y, Su T, Qi Q. Upcycling of PET oligomers from chemical recycling processes to PHA by microbial co-cultivation. WASTE MANAGEMENT (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2023; 172:51-59. [PMID: 37714010 DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2023.08.048] [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: 07/01/2023] [Revised: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/17/2023]
Abstract
Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is the most widely consumed polyester plastic and can be recycled by many chemical processes, of which glycolysis is most cost-effective and commercially viable. However, PET glycolysis produces oligomers due to incomplete depolymerization, which are undesirable by-products and require proper disposal. In this study, the PET oligomers from chemical recycling processes were completely bio-depolymerized into monomers and then used for the biosynthesis of biodegradable plastics polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) by co-cultivation of two engineered microorganisms Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3)-LCCICCG and Pseudomonas putida KT2440-ΔRDt-ΔZP46C-M. E. coli BL21 (DE3)-LCCICCG was used to secrete the PET hydrolase LCCICCG into the medium to directly depolymerize PET oligomers. P. putida KT2440-ΔRDt-ΔZP46C-M that mastered the metabolism of aromatic compounds was engineered to accelerate the hydrolysis of intermediate products mono-2-(hydroxyethyl) terephthalate (MHET) by expressing IsMHETase, and biosynthesize PHA using ultimate products terephthalate and ethylene glycol depolymerized from the PET oligomers. The population ratios of the two microorganisms during the co-cultivation were characterized by fluorescent reporter system, and revealed the collaboration of the two microorganisms to bio-depolymerize and bioconversion of PET oligomers in a single process. This study provides a biological strategy for the upcycling of PET oligomers and promotes the plastic circular economy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pan Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, China
| | - Yi Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, China
| | - Yingbo Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, China
| | - Yuanfei Han
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, China
| | - Tianyuan Su
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, China.
| | - Qingsheng Qi
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, China.
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Howard SA, Carr CM, Sbahtu HI, Onwukwe U, López MJ, Dobson ADW, McCarthy RR. Enrichment of native plastic-associated biofilm communities to enhance polyester degrading activity. Environ Microbiol 2023; 25:2698-2718. [PMID: 37515381 PMCID: PMC10947123 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.16466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Accepted: 06/30/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023]
Abstract
Plastic pollution is an increasing worldwide problem urgently requiring a solution. While recycling rates are increasing globally, only 9% of all plastic waste has been recycled, and with the cost and limited downstream uses of recycled plastic, an alternative is needed. Here, we found that expanded polystyrene (EPS) promoted high levels of bacterial biofilm formation and sought out environmental EPS waste to characterize these native communities. We demonstrated that the EPS attached communities had limited plastic degrading activity. We then performed a long-term enrichment experiment where we placed a robust selection pressure on these communities by limiting carbon availability such that the waste plastic was the only carbon source. Seven of the resulting enriched bacterial communities had increased plastic degrading activity compared to the starting bacterial communities. Pseudomonas stutzeri was predominantly identified in six of the seven enriched communities as the strongest polyester degrader. Sequencing of one isolate of P. stutzeri revealed two putative polyesterases and one putative MHETase. This indicates that waste plastic-associated biofilms are a source for bacteria that have plastic-degrading potential, and that this potential can be unlocked through selective pressure and further in vitro enrichment experiments, resulting in biodegradative communities that are better than nature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie A. Howard
- Centre for Inflammation Research and Translational Medicine, Division of Biosciences, Department of Life Sciences, College of Health and Life SciencesBrunel University LondonUxbridgeUK
| | - Clodagh M. Carr
- School of MicrobiologyUniversity College CorkCorkIreland
- SSPC‐SFI Research Centre for PharmaceuticalsUniversity College CorkCorkIreland
| | - Habteab Isaack Sbahtu
- Centre for Inflammation Research and Translational Medicine, Division of Biosciences, Department of Life Sciences, College of Health and Life SciencesBrunel University LondonUxbridgeUK
| | - Uchechukwu Onwukwe
- Experimental Techniques Centre, College of Engineering, Design and Physical SciencesBrunel University LondonUxbridgeUK
| | - Maria J. López
- Department of Biology and Geology, CITE II‐BUniversity of Almería, Agrifood Campus of International Excellence ceiA3, CIAIMBITALAlmeriaSpain
| | - Alan D. W. Dobson
- School of MicrobiologyUniversity College CorkCorkIreland
- SSPC‐SFI Research Centre for PharmaceuticalsUniversity College CorkCorkIreland
| | - Ronan R. McCarthy
- Centre for Inflammation Research and Translational Medicine, Division of Biosciences, Department of Life Sciences, College of Health and Life SciencesBrunel University LondonUxbridgeUK
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13
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Cerrone F, Zhou B, Mouren A, Avérous L, Conroy S, Simpson JC, O'Connor KE, Narancic T. Pseudomonas umsongensis GO16 as a platform for the in vivo synthesis of short and medium chain length polyhydroxyalkanoate blends. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2023; 387:129668. [PMID: 37572888 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2023.129668] [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: 07/06/2023] [Revised: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 08/14/2023]
Abstract
Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are biological polyesters, viewed as a replacement for petrochemical plastic. However, they suffer from suboptimal physical and mechanical properties. Here, it was shown that a metabolically versatile Pseudomonas umsongensis GO16 can synthesise a blend of short chain length (scl) and medium chain length (mcl)-PHA. A defined mix of butyric (BA) and octanoic acid (OA) in different ratios was used. The PHA monomer composition varied depending on the feeding strategy. When OA and BA were fed at 80:20 ratio it showed 14, 8, 77 and 1 mol% of (R)-3-hydroxybutyrate, (R)-3-hydroxyhexanoate, (R)-3-hydroxyoctanoate and (R)-3-hydroxydecanoate respectively. The polymer characterisation clearly shows that polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) and mcl-PHA are produced individually. The two polymers are blended on the PHA granule level, as demonstrated by fluorescence microscopy and yeast two-hybrid assay. The resulting blend has a specific viscoelasticity compared to PHB and PHO. Mcl-PHA acts as a plasticiser and reduces PHB brittleness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federico Cerrone
- UCD Earth Institute and School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland; BiOrbic - Bioeconomy Research Centre, Ireland, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Binbin Zhou
- UCD Earth Institute and School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland; BiOrbic - Bioeconomy Research Centre, Ireland, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Agathe Mouren
- BioTeam/ICPEES-ECPM, UMR CNRS 7515, Strasbourg University, 25 rue Becquerel, F-67087, Strasbourg Cedex 2, France
| | - Luc Avérous
- BioTeam/ICPEES-ECPM, UMR CNRS 7515, Strasbourg University, 25 rue Becquerel, F-67087, Strasbourg Cedex 2, France
| | - Stephen Conroy
- UCD Earth Institute and School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland; BiOrbic - Bioeconomy Research Centre, Ireland, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Jeremy C Simpson
- Cell Screening Laboratory, School of Biology and Environmental Science, University College Dublin, Science Centre West, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Kevin E O'Connor
- UCD Earth Institute and School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland; BiOrbic - Bioeconomy Research Centre, Ireland, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Tanja Narancic
- UCD Earth Institute and School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland; BiOrbic - Bioeconomy Research Centre, Ireland, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland.
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14
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Howard SA, McCarthy RR. Modulating biofilm can potentiate activity of novel plastic-degrading enzymes. NPJ Biofilms Microbiomes 2023; 9:72. [PMID: 37788986 PMCID: PMC10547765 DOI: 10.1038/s41522-023-00440-1] [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: 04/16/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Plastic pollution is an increasing global issue desperately requiring a solution. Only 9% of all plastic waste has been recycled, and whilst recycling gives a second life to plastic, it is costly and there are limited downstream uses of recycled plastic, therefore an alternative is urgently needed. Biodegradation of plastic by microorganisms is a developing field of interest with the potential for bioreactors to be used alongside recycling to degrade plastic that may otherwise be sent to landfill. Here, we have identified two novel polyethylene terephthalate (PET) degrading enzymes through genomic mining and characterised their activity, including their ability to degrade PET. One of the main roadblocks facing the development of microbial enzymes as a plastic biodegradation solution, is that their efficiency is too low to facilitate development as bioremediation tools. In an innovative approach to tackle this roadblock, we hypothesised that enhancing a bacteria's ability to attach to and form a biofilm on plastic could maximise the local concentration of the enzyme around the target substrate, therefore increasing the overall rate of plastic degradation. We found that increasing biofilm levels, by manipulating the levels of the second messenger, Cyclic-di-GMP, led to increased levels of polyester degradation in cells expressing novel and well characterised polyester-degrading enzymes. This indicates that modulating biofilm formation is a viable mechanism to fast track the development of bacterial plastic bioremediation solutions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie A Howard
- Division of Biosciences, Department of Life Sciences, College of Health and Life Sciences, Brunel University London, Uxbridge, UB8 3PH, UK
| | - Ronan R McCarthy
- Division of Biosciences, Department of Life Sciences, College of Health and Life Sciences, Brunel University London, Uxbridge, UB8 3PH, UK.
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15
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Qian X, Jiang M, Dong W. Tandem chemical deconstruction and biological upcycling of poly(ethylene terephthalate). Trends Biotechnol 2023; 41:1223-1226. [PMID: 37105776 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2023.03.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Revised: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 03/31/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023]
Abstract
Upcycling processes via tandem chemical deconstruction and biological transformation has shown promise for poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) waste open-loop management. Under this framework, postconsumer PET becomes a low-cost and abundant starting material for the synthesis of high-value chemicals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiujuan Qian
- College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, China; Key Laboratory for Waste Plastics Biocatalytic Degradation and Recycling, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, China
| | - Min Jiang
- College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, China; Key Laboratory for Waste Plastics Biocatalytic Degradation and Recycling, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, China; State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, China.
| | - Weiliang Dong
- College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, China; Key Laboratory for Waste Plastics Biocatalytic Degradation and Recycling, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, China; State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, China.
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16
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Bao T, Qian Y, Xin Y, Collins JJ, Lu T. Engineering microbial division of labor for plastic upcycling. Nat Commun 2023; 14:5712. [PMID: 37752119 PMCID: PMC10522701 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-40777-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2022] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Plastic pollution is rapidly increasing worldwide, causing adverse impacts on the environment, wildlife and human health. One tempting solution to this crisis is upcycling plastics into products with engineered microorganisms; however, this remains challenging due to complexity in conversion. Here we present a synthetic microbial consortium that efficiently degrades polyethylene terephthalate hydrolysate and subsequently produces desired chemicals through division of labor. The consortium involves two Pseudomonas putida strains, specializing in terephthalic acid and ethylene glycol utilization respectively, to achieve complete substrate assimilation. Compared with its monoculture counterpart, the consortium exhibits reduced catabolic crosstalk and faster deconstruction, particularly when substrate concentrations are high or crude hydrolysate is used. It also outperforms monoculture when polyhydroxyalkanoates serves as a target product and confers flexible tuning through population modulation for cis-cis muconate synthesis. This work demonstrates engineered consortia as a promising, effective platform that may facilitate polymer upcycling and environmental sustainability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teng Bao
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
- Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Yuanchao Qian
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
- Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Yongping Xin
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
- Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - James J Collins
- Department of Biological Engineering and Institute for Medical Engineering & Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA.
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Longwood, MA, USA.
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA.
| | - Ting Lu
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA.
- Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA.
- Center for Biophysics and Quantitative Biology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA.
- Department of Physics, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA.
- National Center for Supercomputing Applications, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA.
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17
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Delmulle T, Bovijn S, Deketelaere S, Castelein M, Erauw T, D'hooghe M, Soetaert WK. Engineering Comamonas testosteroni for the production of 2-pyrone-4,6-dicarboxylic acid as a promising building block. Microb Cell Fact 2023; 22:188. [PMID: 37726725 PMCID: PMC10510227 DOI: 10.1186/s12934-023-02202-2] [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: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 09/21/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Plastics are an indispensable part of our daily life. However, mismanagement at their end-of-life results in severe environmental consequences. The microbial conversion of these polymers into new value-added products offers a promising alternative. In this study, we engineered the soil-bacterium Comamonas testosteroni KF-1, a natural degrader of terephthalic acid, for the conversion of the latter to the high-value product 2-pyrone-4,6-dicarboxylic acid. RESULTS In order to convert terephthalic acid to 2-pyrone-4,6-dicarboxylic acid, we deleted the native PDC hydrolase and observed only a limited amount of product formation. To test whether this was the result of an inhibition of terephthalic acid uptake by the carbon source for growth (i.e. glycolic acid), the consumption of both carbon sources was monitored in the wild-type strain. Both carbon sources were consumed at the same time, indicating that catabolite repression was not the case. Next, we investigated if the activity of pathway enzymes remained the same in the wild-type and mutant strain. Here again, no statistical differences could be observed. Finally, we hypothesized that the presence of a pmdK variant in the degradation operon could be responsible for the observed phenotype and created a double deletion mutant strain. This newly created strain accumulated PDC to a larger extent and again consumed both carbon sources. The double deletion strain was then used in a bioreactor experiment, leading to the accumulation of 6.5 g/L of product in 24 h with an overall productivity of 0.27 g/L/h. CONCLUSIONS This study shows the production of the chemical building block 2-pyrone-4,6-dicarboxylic acid from terephthalic acid through an engineered C. testosteroni KF-1 strain. It was observed that both a deletion of the native PDC hydrolase as well as a pmdK variant is needed to achieve high conversion yields. A product titer of 6.5 g/L in 24 h with an overall productivity of 0.27 g/L/h was achieved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tom Delmulle
- Centre for Industrial Biotechnology and Biocatalysis (InBio.be), Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, Ghent, 9000, Belgium.
| | - Stijn Bovijn
- Centre for Industrial Biotechnology and Biocatalysis (InBio.be), Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, Ghent, 9000, Belgium
| | - Sari Deketelaere
- SynBioC Research group, Department of Green Chemistry and Technology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, Ghent, 9000, Belgium
| | - Martijn Castelein
- Centre for Industrial Biotechnology and Biocatalysis (InBio.be), Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, Ghent, 9000, Belgium
| | - Tom Erauw
- Centre for Industrial Biotechnology and Biocatalysis (InBio.be), Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, Ghent, 9000, Belgium
| | - Matthias D'hooghe
- SynBioC Research group, Department of Green Chemistry and Technology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, Ghent, 9000, Belgium
| | - Wim K Soetaert
- Centre for Industrial Biotechnology and Biocatalysis (InBio.be), Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, Ghent, 9000, Belgium
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18
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Ren ZW, Wang ZY, Ding YW, Dao JW, Li HR, Ma X, Yang XY, Zhou ZQ, Liu JX, Mi CH, Gao ZC, Pei H, Wei DX. Polyhydroxyalkanoates: the natural biopolyester for future medical innovations. Biomater Sci 2023; 11:6013-6034. [PMID: 37522312 DOI: 10.1039/d3bm01043k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/01/2023]
Abstract
Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are a family of natural microbial biopolyesters with the same basic chemical structure and diverse side chain groups. Based on their excellent biodegradability, biocompatibility, thermoplastic properties and diversity, PHAs are highly promising medical biomaterials and elements of medical devices for applications in tissue engineering and drug delivery. However, due to the high cost of biotechnological production, most PHAs have yet to be applied in the clinic and have only been studied at laboratory scale. This review focuses on the biosynthesis, diversity, physical properties, biodegradability and biosafety of PHAs. We also discuss optimization strategies for improved microbial production of commercial PHAs via novel synthetic biology tools. Moreover, we also systematically summarize various medical devices based on PHAs and related design approaches for medical applications, including tissue repair and drug delivery. The main degradation product of PHAs, 3-hydroxybutyrate (3HB), is recognized as a new functional molecule for cancer therapy and immune regulation. Although PHAs still account for only a small percentage of medical polymers, up-and-coming novel medical PHA devices will enter the clinical translation stage in the next few years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zi-Wei Ren
- Key Laboratory of Resource Biology and Biotechnology in Western China, Ministry of Education, School of Medicine, Department of Life Sciences and Medicine, Northwest University, Xi'an, 710069, China.
| | - Ze-Yu Wang
- Key Laboratory of Resource Biology and Biotechnology in Western China, Ministry of Education, School of Medicine, Department of Life Sciences and Medicine, Northwest University, Xi'an, 710069, China.
| | - Yan-Wen Ding
- Key Laboratory of Resource Biology and Biotechnology in Western China, Ministry of Education, School of Medicine, Department of Life Sciences and Medicine, Northwest University, Xi'an, 710069, China.
| | - Jin-Wei Dao
- Key Laboratory of Resource Biology and Biotechnology in Western China, Ministry of Education, School of Medicine, Department of Life Sciences and Medicine, Northwest University, Xi'an, 710069, China.
- Dehong Biomedical Engineering Research Center, Dehong Teachers' College, Dehong, 678400, China
| | - Hao-Ru Li
- Key Laboratory of Resource Biology and Biotechnology in Western China, Ministry of Education, School of Medicine, Department of Life Sciences and Medicine, Northwest University, Xi'an, 710069, China.
| | - Xue Ma
- Key Laboratory of Resource Biology and Biotechnology in Western China, Ministry of Education, School of Medicine, Department of Life Sciences and Medicine, Northwest University, Xi'an, 710069, China.
| | - Xin-Yu Yang
- Key Laboratory of Resource Biology and Biotechnology in Western China, Ministry of Education, School of Medicine, Department of Life Sciences and Medicine, Northwest University, Xi'an, 710069, China.
| | - Zi-Qi Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Resource Biology and Biotechnology in Western China, Ministry of Education, School of Medicine, Department of Life Sciences and Medicine, Northwest University, Xi'an, 710069, China.
| | - Jia-Xuan Liu
- Key Laboratory of Resource Biology and Biotechnology in Western China, Ministry of Education, School of Medicine, Department of Life Sciences and Medicine, Northwest University, Xi'an, 710069, China.
| | - Chen-Hui Mi
- Key Laboratory of Resource Biology and Biotechnology in Western China, Ministry of Education, School of Medicine, Department of Life Sciences and Medicine, Northwest University, Xi'an, 710069, China.
| | - Zhe-Chen Gao
- Department of Orthopaedics, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230601, China
| | - Hua Pei
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, 570311, China.
| | - Dai-Xu Wei
- Key Laboratory of Resource Biology and Biotechnology in Western China, Ministry of Education, School of Medicine, Department of Life Sciences and Medicine, Northwest University, Xi'an, 710069, China.
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, 570311, China.
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory for Carbon Neutral Technology, Xi'an, 710069, China
- Zigong Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Zigong Psychiatric Research Center, Zigong Institute of Brain Science, Zigong, 643002, Sichuan, China
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19
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Amanna R, Rakshit SK. Review of nomenclature and methods of analysis of polyethylene terephthalic acid hydrolyzing enzymes activity. Biodegradation 2023:10.1007/s10532-023-10048-z. [PMID: 37688750 DOI: 10.1007/s10532-023-10048-z] [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: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/11/2023]
Abstract
Enzymatic degradation of polyethylene terephthalic acid (PET) has been gaining increasing importance. This has resulted in a significant increase in the search for newer enzymes and the development of more efficient enzyme-based systems. Due to the lack of a standard screening process, screening new enzymes has relied on other assays to determine the presence of esterase activity. This, in turn, has led to various nomenclatures and methods used to describe them and measure their activity. Since all PET-hydrolyzing enzymes are α/β hydrolases, they catalyze a serine nucleophilic attack and cleave an ester bond. They are lipases, esterases, cutinases and hydrolases. This has been used interchangeably, leading to difficulties while comparing results and evaluating progress. This review discusses the varied enzyme nomenclature being adapted, the different assays and analysis methods reported, and the strategies used to increase PET-hydrolyzing enzyme efficiency. A section on the various ways to quantify PET hydrolysis is also covered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruth Amanna
- Department of Biotechnology, Lakehead University, Thunder Bay, ON, Canada
- Biorefining Research Institute (BRI), Lakehead University, Thunder Bay, ON, Canada
| | - Sudip K Rakshit
- Department of Biotechnology, Lakehead University, Thunder Bay, ON, Canada.
- Biorefining Research Institute (BRI), Lakehead University, Thunder Bay, ON, Canada.
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Lakehead University, Thunder Bay, ON, Canada.
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20
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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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21
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Świderek K, Velasco-Lozano S, Galmés MÀ, Olazabal I, Sardon H, López-Gallego F, Moliner V. Mechanistic studies of a lipase unveil effect of pH on hydrolysis products of small PET modules. Nat Commun 2023; 14:3556. [PMID: 37321996 PMCID: PMC10272158 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-39201-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2022] [Accepted: 06/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Biocatalysis is a key technology enabling plastic recycling. However, despite advances done in the development of plastic-degrading enzymes, the molecular mechanisms that govern their catalytic performance are poorly understood, hampering the engineering of more efficient enzyme-based technologies. In this work, we study the hydrolysis of PET-derived diesters and PET trimers catalyzed by the highly promiscuous lipase B from Candida antarctica (CALB) through QM/MM molecular dynamics simulations supported by experimental Michaelis-Menten kinetics. The computational studies reveal the role of the pH on the CALB regioselectivity toward the hydrolysis of bis-(hydroxyethyl) terephthalate (BHET). We exploit this insight to perform a pH-controlled biotransformation that selectively hydrolyzes BHET to either its corresponding diacid or monoesters using both soluble and immobilized CALB. The discoveries presented here can be exploited for the valorization of BHET resulting from the organocatalytic depolymerization of PET.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarzyna Świderek
- BioComp Group, Institute of Advanced Materials (INAM), Universitat Jaume I, 12071, Castellón, Spain.
| | - Susana Velasco-Lozano
- Heterogeneous Biocatalysis Laboratory, Center for Cooperative Research in Biomaterials (CIC biomaGUNE), Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Paseo de Miramón, 182, 20014 Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain
| | - Miquel À Galmés
- BioComp Group, Institute of Advanced Materials (INAM), Universitat Jaume I, 12071, Castellón, Spain
| | - Ion Olazabal
- POLYMAT, Department of Polymer Science and Technology, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Manuel de Lardizabal, 3, 20018, Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain
| | - Haritz Sardon
- POLYMAT, Department of Polymer Science and Technology, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Manuel de Lardizabal, 3, 20018, Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain
| | - Fernando López-Gallego
- Heterogeneous Biocatalysis Laboratory, Center for Cooperative Research in Biomaterials (CIC biomaGUNE), Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Paseo de Miramón, 182, 20014 Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain.
- IKERBASQUE, Basque Foundation for Science, 48013, Bilbao, Spain.
| | - Vicent Moliner
- BioComp Group, Institute of Advanced Materials (INAM), Universitat Jaume I, 12071, Castellón, Spain.
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22
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Behera S, Das S. Environmental impacts of microplastic and role of plastisphere microbes in the biodegradation and upcycling of microplastic. CHEMOSPHERE 2023; 334:138928. [PMID: 37211165 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.138928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2022] [Revised: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Increasing usage of plastic has led to the deposition of plastic in the environment which later become microplastic, a pollutant of global concern. These polymeric particles affect the ecosystem bestowing toxicity and impede the biogeochemical cycles. Besides, microplastic particles have been known for their role in aggravating the effect of various other environmental pollutants including organic pollutants and heavy metals. These microplastic surfaces are often colonized by the microbial communities also known as "plastisphere microbes" forming biofilms. These microbes include cyanobacteria like Nostoc, Scytonema, etc., and diatoms like Navicula, Cyclotella, etc. Which become the primary colonizer. In addition to the autotrophic microbes, Gammaproteobacteria and Alphaproteobacteria dominate the plastisphere microbial community. These biofilm-forming microbes can efficiently degrade the microplastic in the environment by secreting various catabolic enzymes such as lipase, esterase, hydroxylase, etc. Besides, these microbes have shown great potential for the bioconversion of microplastic to polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), an energy efficient and sustainable alternative to the petroleum based plastics. Thus, these microbes can be used for the creation of a circular economy using waste to wealth strategy. This review provides a deeper insight into the distribution, transportation, transformation, and biodegradation of microplastic in the ecosystem. The formation of plastisphere by the biofilm-forming microbes has been described in the article. In addition, the microbial metabolic pathways and genetic regulations involved in the biodegradation have been discussed in detail. The article suggests the microbial bioremediation and upcycling of microplastic along with various other strategies for effectively mitigate the microplastic pollution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shivananda Behera
- Laboratory of Environmental Microbiology and Ecology (LEnME), Department of Life Science, National Institute of Technology, Rourkela, 769 008, Odisha, India
| | - Surajit Das
- Laboratory of Environmental Microbiology and Ecology (LEnME), Department of Life Science, National Institute of Technology, Rourkela, 769 008, Odisha, India.
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23
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Pellis A, Guebitz GM, Ribitsch D. Bio-upcycling of multilayer materials and blends: closing the plastics loop. Curr Opin Biotechnol 2023; 81:102938. [PMID: 37058877 DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2023.102938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2022] [Revised: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 04/16/2023]
Abstract
The urge to discover and develop new technologies for closing the plastic carbon cycle is motivating industries, governments, and academia to work closely together to find suitable solutions in a timely manner. In this review article, a combination of uprising breakthrough technologies is presented highlighting their potential and complementarity to be integrated one with the other, therefore providing a potential solution to efficiently solve the plastics problem. First, modern approaches for bio-exploration and engineering of polymer-active enzymes are presented to degrade polymers into valuable building blocks. Special focus is placed on the recovery of components from multilayered materials since these complex materials can only be recycled insufficiently or not at all by existing technologies. Then, the potential of microbes and enzymes for resynthesis of polymers and reuse of building blocks is summarized and discussed. Finally, examples for improvement of the bio-based content and enzymatic degradability and future perspectives are given.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Pellis
- Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry, University of Genova, Via Dodecaneso 31, 16146 Genova, Italy
| | - Georg M Guebitz
- ACIB - Austrian Centre of Industrial Biotechnology, Krenngasse 37, 8010 Graz, Austria; Department of Agrobiotechnology, IFA-Tulln, Institute of Environmental Biotechnology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna, 1180 Vienna, Austria
| | - Doris Ribitsch
- ACIB - Austrian Centre of Industrial Biotechnology, Krenngasse 37, 8010 Graz, Austria; Department of Agrobiotechnology, IFA-Tulln, Institute of Environmental Biotechnology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna, 1180 Vienna, Austria.
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24
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Esikova TZ, Anokhina TO, Suzina NE, Shushkova TV, Wu Y, Solyanikova IP. Characterization of a New Pseudomonas Putida Strain Ch2, a Degrader of Toxic Anthropogenic Compounds Epsilon-Caprolactam and Glyphosate. Microorganisms 2023; 11:microorganisms11030650. [PMID: 36985223 PMCID: PMC10053300 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11030650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2023] [Revised: 02/24/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
In this work, a new Ch2 strain was isolated from soils polluted by agrochemical production wastes. This strain has a unique ability to utilize toxic synthetic compounds such as epsilon-caprolactam (CAP) as a sole carbon and energy source and the herbicide glyphosate (GP) as a sole source of phosphorus. Analysis of the nucleotide sequence of the 16S rRNA gene of Ch2 revealed that the strain belongs to the species Pseudomonas putida. This strain grew in the mineral medium containing CAP in a concentration range of 0.5 to 5.0 g/L and utilized 6-aminohexanoic acid and adipic acid, which are the intermediate products of CAP catabolism. The ability of strain Ch2 to degrade CAP is determined by a conjugative megaplasmid that is 550 kb in size. When strain Ch2 is cultured in a mineral medium containing GP (500 mg/L), more intensive utilization of the herbicide occurs in the phase of active growth. In the phase of declining growth, there is an accumulation of aminomethylphosphonic acid, which indicates that the C-N bond is the first site cleaved during GP degradation (glyphosate oxidoreductase pathway). Culture growth in the presence of GP during the early step of its degradation is accompanied by unique substrate-dependent changes in the cytoplasm, including the formation of vesicles of cytoplasmic membrane consisting of specific electron-dense content. There is a debate about whether these membrane formations are analogous to metabolosomes, where the primary degradation of the herbicide can take place. The studied strain is notable for its ability to produce polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) when grown in mineral medium containing GP. At the beginning of the stationary growth phase, it was shown that, the amount and size of PHA inclusions in the cells drastically increased; they filled almost the entire volume of cell cytoplasm. The obtained results show that the strain P. putida Ch2 can be successfully used for the PHAs’ production. Moreover, the ability of P. putida Ch2 to degrade CAP and GP determines the prospects of its application for the biological cleanup of CAP production wastes and in situ bioremediation of soil polluted with GP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatiana Z. Esikova
- Laboratory of Plasmid Biology, G.K. Skryabin Institute of Biochemistry and Physiology of Microorganisms, Pushchino Center for Biological Research of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Prosp. Nauki 5, Pushchino, 142290 Pushchino, Russia
| | - Tatiana O. Anokhina
- Laboratory of Plasmid Biology, G.K. Skryabin Institute of Biochemistry and Physiology of Microorganisms, Pushchino Center for Biological Research of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Prosp. Nauki 5, Pushchino, 142290 Pushchino, Russia
| | - Nataliya E. Suzina
- Laboratory of Cytology of Microorganisms, G.K. Skryabin Institute of Biochemistry and Physiology of Microorganisms, Pushchino Scientific Center for Biological Research of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Prosp. Nauki 5, Pushchino, 142290 Pushchino, Russia
| | - Tatiana V. Shushkova
- Laboratory of Microbial Enzymology, G.K. Skryabin Institute of Biochemistry and Physiology of Microorganisms, Pushchino Center for Biological Research of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Prosp. Nauki 5, Pushchino, 142290 Pushchino, Russia
| | - Yonghong Wu
- Zigui Ecological Station for Three Gorges Dam Project, State Key Laboratory of Soil and Sustainable Agriculture, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 71 East Beijing Road, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Inna P. Solyanikova
- Laboratory of Microbial Enzymology, G.K. Skryabin Institute of Biochemistry and Physiology of Microorganisms, Pushchino Center for Biological Research of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Prosp. Nauki 5, Pushchino, 142290 Pushchino, Russia
- Regional Microbiological Center, Institute of Pharmacy, Chemistry and Biology, Belgorod National Research University, 308015 Belgorod, Russia
- Correspondence:
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25
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Kulkarni A, Quintens G, Pitet LM. Trends in Polyester Upcycling for Diversifying a Problematic Waste Stream. Macromolecules 2023. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.2c02054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Amruta Kulkarni
- Advanced Functional Polymers (AFP) Laboratory, Institute for Materials Research (imo-imomec), Hasselt University, Martelarenlaan 42, 3500 Hasselt, Belgium
| | - Greg Quintens
- Advanced Functional Polymers (AFP) Laboratory, Institute for Materials Research (imo-imomec), Hasselt University, Martelarenlaan 42, 3500 Hasselt, Belgium
| | - Louis M. Pitet
- Advanced Functional Polymers (AFP) Laboratory, Institute for Materials Research (imo-imomec), Hasselt University, Martelarenlaan 42, 3500 Hasselt, Belgium
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26
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Schada von Borzyskowski L, Schulz-Mirbach H, Troncoso Castellanos M, Severi F, Gómez-Coronado PA, Paczia N, Glatter T, Bar-Even A, Lindner SN, Erb TJ. Implementation of the β-hydroxyaspartate cycle increases growth performance of Pseudomonas putida on the PET monomer ethylene glycol. Metab Eng 2023; 76:97-109. [PMID: 36731627 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymben.2023.01.011] [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: 08/07/2022] [Revised: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Ethylene glycol (EG) is a promising next generation feedstock for bioprocesses. It is a key component of the ubiquitous plastic polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and other polyester fibers and plastics, used in antifreeze formulations, and can also be generated by electrochemical conversion of syngas, which makes EG a key compound in a circular bioeconomy. The majority of biotechnologically relevant bacteria assimilate EG via the glycerate pathway, a wasteful metabolic route that releases CO2 and requires reducing equivalents as well as ATP. In contrast, the recently characterized β-hydroxyaspartate cycle (BHAC) provides a more efficient, carbon-conserving route for C2 assimilation. Here we aimed at overcoming the natural limitations of EG metabolism in the industrially relevant strain Pseudomonas putida KT2440 by replacing the native glycerate pathway with the BHAC. We first prototyped the core reaction sequence of the BHAC in Escherichia coli before establishing the complete four-enzyme BHAC in Pseudomonas putida. Directed evolution on EG resulted in an improved strain that exhibits 35% faster growth and 20% increased biomass yield compared to a recently reported P. putida strain that was evolved to grow on EG via the glycerate pathway. Genome sequencing and proteomics highlight plastic adaptations of the genetic and metabolic networks in response to the introduction of the BHAC into P. putida and identify key mutations for its further integration during evolution. Taken together, our study shows that the BHAC can be utilized as 'plug-and-play' module for the metabolic engineering of two important microbial platform organisms, paving the way for multiple applications for a more efficient and carbon-conserving upcycling of EG in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lennart Schada von Borzyskowski
- Department of Biochemistry & Synthetic Metabolism, Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, Karl-von-Frisch-Str. 10, 35043 Marburg, Germany; Institute of Biology Leiden, Leiden University, Sylviusweg 72, 2333 BE Leiden, the Netherlands.
| | - Helena Schulz-Mirbach
- Department of Biochemistry & Synthetic Metabolism, Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, Karl-von-Frisch-Str. 10, 35043 Marburg, Germany; Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology, Am Mühlenberg 1, 14476 Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | - Mauricio Troncoso Castellanos
- Department of Biochemistry & Synthetic Metabolism, Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, Karl-von-Frisch-Str. 10, 35043 Marburg, Germany
| | - Francesca Severi
- Department of Biochemistry & Synthetic Metabolism, Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, Karl-von-Frisch-Str. 10, 35043 Marburg, Germany
| | - Paul A Gómez-Coronado
- Department of Biochemistry & Synthetic Metabolism, Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, Karl-von-Frisch-Str. 10, 35043 Marburg, Germany; Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology, Am Mühlenberg 1, 14476 Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | - Nicole Paczia
- Facility for Metabolomics and Small Molecule Mass Spectrometry, Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, Karl-von-Frisch-Str. 10, 35043 Marburg, Germany
| | - Timo Glatter
- Facility for Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics, Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, Karl-von-Frisch-Str. 10, 35043 Marburg, Germany
| | - Arren Bar-Even
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology, Am Mühlenberg 1, 14476 Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | - Steffen N Lindner
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology, Am Mühlenberg 1, 14476 Potsdam-Golm, Germany; Department of Biochemistry, Charité Universitätsmedizin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany.
| | - Tobias J Erb
- Department of Biochemistry & Synthetic Metabolism, Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, Karl-von-Frisch-Str. 10, 35043 Marburg, Germany; LOEWE-Center for Synthetic Microbiology, Philipps-University Marburg, Karl-von-Frisch-Str. 8, 35043 Marburg, Germany.
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27
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Son J, Lim SH, Kim YJ, Lim HJ, Lee JY, Jeong S, Park C, Park SJ. Customized valorization of waste streams by Pseudomonas putida: State-of-the-art, challenges, and future trends. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2023; 371:128607. [PMID: 36638894 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2023.128607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 01/07/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Preventing catastrophic climate events warrants prompt action to delay global warming, which threatens health and food security. In this context, waste management using engineered microbes has emerged as a long-term eco-friendly solution for addressing the global climate crisis and transitioning to clean energy. Notably, Pseudomonas putida can valorize industry-derived synthetic wastes including plastics, oils, food, and agricultural waste into products of interest, and it has been extensively explored for establishing a fully circular bioeconomy through the conversion of waste into bio-based products, including platform chemicals (e.g., cis,cis-muconic and adipic acid) and biopolymers (e.g., medium-chain length polyhydroxyalkanoate). However, the efficiency of waste pretreatment technologies, capability of microbial cell factories, and practicability of synthetic biology tools remain low, posing a challenge to the industrial application of P. putida. The present review discusses the state-of-the-art, challenges, and future prospects for divergent biosynthesis of versatile products from waste-derived feedstocks using P. putida.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jina Son
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Graduate Program in System Health Science and Engineering, Ewha Womans University, Seoul 03760, Republic of Korea
| | - Seo Hyun Lim
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Graduate Program in System Health Science and Engineering, Ewha Womans University, Seoul 03760, Republic of Korea
| | - Yu Jin Kim
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Graduate Program in System Health Science and Engineering, Ewha Womans University, Seoul 03760, Republic of Korea
| | - Hye Jin Lim
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Graduate Program in System Health Science and Engineering, Ewha Womans University, Seoul 03760, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji Yeon Lee
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Graduate Program in System Health Science and Engineering, Ewha Womans University, Seoul 03760, Republic of Korea
| | - Seona Jeong
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Graduate Program in System Health Science and Engineering, Ewha Womans University, Seoul 03760, Republic of Korea
| | - Chulhwan Park
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Kwangwoon University, Seoul 01897, Republic of Korea
| | - Si Jae Park
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Graduate Program in System Health Science and Engineering, Ewha Womans University, Seoul 03760, Republic of Korea.
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28
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Kolitha BS, Jayasekara SK, Tannenbaum R, Jasiuk IM, Jayakody LN. Repurposing of waste PET by microbial biotransformation to functionalized materials for additive manufacturing. J Ind Microbiol Biotechnol 2023; 50:kuad010. [PMID: 37248049 PMCID: PMC10549213 DOI: 10.1093/jimb/kuad010] [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: 02/22/2023] [Accepted: 05/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Plastic waste is an outstanding environmental thread. Poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) is one of the most abundantly produced single-use plastics worldwide, but its recycling rates are low. In parallel, additive manufacturing is a rapidly evolving technology with wide-ranging applications. Thus, there is a need for a broad spectrum of polymers to meet the demands of this growing industry and address post-use waste materials. This perspective article highlights the potential of designing microbial cell factories to upcycle PET into functionalized chemical building blocks for additive manufacturing. We present the leveraging of PET hydrolyzing enzymes and rewiring the bacterial C2 and aromatic catabolic pathways to obtain high-value chemicals and polymers. Since PET mechanical recycling back to original materials is cost-prohibitive, the biochemical technology is a viable alternative to upcycle PET into novel 3D printing materials, such as replacements for acrylonitrile butadiene styrene. The presented hybrid chemo-bio approaches potentially enable the manufacturing of environmentally friendly degradable or higher-value high-performance polymers and composites and their reuse for a circular economy. ONE-SENTENCE SUMMARY Biotransformation of waste PET to high-value platform chemicals for additive manufacturing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bhagya S Kolitha
- School of Biological Science, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Carbondale, IL 62901, USA
| | - Sandhya K Jayasekara
- School of Biological Science, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Carbondale, IL 62901, USA
| | - Rina Tannenbaum
- Department of Materials Science and Chemical Engineering, the Stony Brook University Cancer Center, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA
| | - Iwona M Jasiuk
- Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Lahiru N Jayakody
- School of Biological Science, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Carbondale, IL 62901, USA
- Fermentation Science Institute, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Carbondale, IL 62901, USA
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29
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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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30
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Mudondo J, Lee HS, Jeong Y, Kim TH, Kim S, Sung BH, Park SH, Park K, Cha HG, Yeon YJ, Kim HT. Recent Advances in the Chemobiological Upcycling of Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) into Value-Added Chemicals. J Microbiol Biotechnol 2023; 33:1-14. [PMID: 36451300 PMCID: PMC9895998 DOI: 10.4014/jmb.2208.08048] [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: 09/01/2022] [Revised: 10/02/2022] [Accepted: 10/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is a plastic material commonly applied to beverage packaging used in everyday life. Owing to PET's versatility and ease of use, its consumption has continuously increased, resulting in considerable waste generation. Several physical and chemical recycling processes have been developed to address this problem. Recently, biological upcycling is being actively studied and has come to be regarded as a powerful technology for overcoming the economic issues associated with conventional recycling methods. For upcycling, PET should be degraded into small molecules, such as terephthalic acid and ethylene glycol, which are utilized as substrates for bioconversion, through various degradation processes, including gasification, pyrolysis, and chemical/biological depolymerization. Furthermore, biological upcycling methods have been applied to biosynthesize value-added chemicals, such as adipic acid, muconic acid, catechol, vanillin, and glycolic acid. In this review, we introduce and discuss various degradation methods that yield substrates for bioconversion and biological upcycling processes to produce value-added biochemicals. These technologies encourage a circular economy, which reduces the amount of waste released into the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joyce Mudondo
- Department of Food Science and Technology, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Republic of Korea
| | - Hoe-Suk Lee
- Department of Biochemical Engineering Gangneung-Wonju National University, Gangneung 25457, Republic of Korea
| | - Yunhee Jeong
- Department of Food Science and Technology, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Republic of Korea
| | - Tae Hee Kim
- Department of Food Science and Technology, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Republic of Korea
| | - Seungmi Kim
- Department of Food Science and Technology, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Republic of Korea
| | - Bong Hyun Sung
- Synthetic Biology Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - See-Hyoung Park
- Department of Biological and Chemical Engineering, Hongik University, Sejong 30016, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyungmoon Park
- Department of Biological and Chemical Engineering, Hongik University, Sejong 30016, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyun Gil Cha
- Center for Bio-based Chemistry, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology (KRICT), Ulsan 44429, Republic of Korea,Corresponding authors H.G. Cha Phone: +82-52-241-6317 Fax: +82-52-241-6349 E-mail:
| | - Young Joo Yeon
- Department of Biochemical Engineering Gangneung-Wonju National University, Gangneung 25457, Republic of Korea,Y.J. Yeon Phone: +82-33-640-2401 Fax: +82-33-640-2410 E-mail:
| | - Hee Taek Kim
- Department of Food Science and Technology, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Republic of Korea,H.T. Kim Phone: +82-42-821-6722 Fax:+82-42-821-8785 E-mail:
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31
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Rabot C, Chen Y, Bijlani S, Chiang Y, Oakley CE, Oakley BR, Williams TJ, Wang CCC. Conversion of Polyethylenes into Fungal Secondary Metabolites. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2023; 62:e202214609. [PMID: 36417558 PMCID: PMC10100090 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202214609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Waste plastics represent major environmental and economic burdens due to their ubiquity, slow breakdown rates, and inadequacy of current recycling routes. Polyethylenes are particularly problematic, because they lack robust recycling approaches despite being the most abundant plastics in use today. We report a novel chemical and biological approach for the rapid conversion of polyethylenes into structurally complex and pharmacologically active compounds. We present conditions for aerobic, catalytic digestion of polyethylenes collected from post-consumer and oceanic waste streams, creating carboxylic diacids that can then be used as a carbon source by the fungus Aspergillus nidulans. As a proof of principle, we have engineered strains of A. nidulans to synthesize the fungal secondary metabolites asperbenzaldehyde, citreoviridin, and mutilin when grown on these digestion products. This hybrid approach considerably expands the range of products to which polyethylenes can be upcycled.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chris Rabot
- Department of Pharmacology & Pharmaceutical SciencesUniversity of Southern California1985 Zonal AveLos AngelesCA 90033USA
| | - Yuhao Chen
- Donald P. and Katherine B. Loker Hydrocarbon Institute and Department of ChemistryUniversity of Southern California837 Bloom WalkLos AngelesCA 90089USA
- Wrigley Institute for Environmental StudiesUniversity of Southern California3454 Trousdale ParkwayLos AngelesCA 90089USA
| | - Swati Bijlani
- Department of Pharmacology & Pharmaceutical SciencesUniversity of Southern California1985 Zonal AveLos AngelesCA 90033USA
| | - Yi‐Ming Chiang
- Department of Pharmacology & Pharmaceutical SciencesUniversity of Southern California1985 Zonal AveLos AngelesCA 90033USA
| | - C. Elizabeth Oakley
- Department of Molecular BiosciencesUniversity of Kansas1200 Sunnyside AvenueLawrenceKS 66045USA
| | - Berl R. Oakley
- Department of Molecular BiosciencesUniversity of Kansas1200 Sunnyside AvenueLawrenceKS 66045USA
| | - Travis J. Williams
- Donald P. and Katherine B. Loker Hydrocarbon Institute and Department of ChemistryUniversity of Southern California837 Bloom WalkLos AngelesCA 90089USA
- Wrigley Institute for Environmental StudiesUniversity of Southern California3454 Trousdale ParkwayLos AngelesCA 90089USA
| | - Clay C. C. Wang
- Department of Pharmacology & Pharmaceutical SciencesUniversity of Southern California1985 Zonal AveLos AngelesCA 90033USA
- Donald P. and Katherine B. Loker Hydrocarbon Institute and Department of ChemistryUniversity of Southern California837 Bloom WalkLos AngelesCA 90089USA
- Wrigley Institute for Environmental StudiesUniversity of Southern California3454 Trousdale ParkwayLos AngelesCA 90089USA
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32
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Shirazimoghaddam S, Amin I, Faria Albanese JA, Shiju NR. Chemical Recycling of Used PET by Glycolysis Using Niobia-Based Catalysts. ACS ENGINEERING AU 2023; 3:37-44. [PMID: 36820227 PMCID: PMC9936547 DOI: 10.1021/acsengineeringau.2c00029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2022] [Revised: 11/19/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Plastic production has steadily increased worldwide at a staggering pace. The polymer industry is, unfortunately, C-intensive, and accumulation of plastics in the environment has become a major issue. Plastic waste valorization into fresh monomers for production of virgin plastics can reduce both the consumption of fossil feedstocks and the environmental pollution, making the plastic economy more sustainable. Recently, the chemical recycling of plastics has been studied as an innovative solution to achieve a fully sustainable cycle. In this way, plastics are depolymerized to their monomers or/and oligomers appropriate for repolymerization, closing the loop. In this work, PET was depolymerized to its bis(2-hydroxyethyl) terephthalate (BHET) monomer via glycolysis, using ethylene glycol (EG) in the presence of niobia-based catalysts. Using a sulfated niobia catalyst treated at 573 K, we obtained 100% conversion of PET and 85% yield toward BHET at 195 °C in 220 min. This approach allows recycling of the PET at reasonable conditions using an inexpensive and nontoxic material as a catalyst.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shadi Shirazimoghaddam
- Van’t
Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Amsterdam, 1090 GDAmsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Ihsan Amin
- Van’t
Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Amsterdam, 1090 GDAmsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jimmy A Faria Albanese
- Catalytic
Processes and Materials Group, Faculty of Science and Technology,
MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnology, University
of Twente, P.O. Box 217, 7500 AEAmsterdam, Netherlands
| | - N. Raveendran Shiju
- Van’t
Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Amsterdam, 1090 GDAmsterdam, The Netherlands,
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33
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Development of a yeast whole-cell biocatalyst for MHET conversion into terephthalic acid and ethylene glycol. Microb Cell Fact 2022; 21:280. [PMID: 36587193 PMCID: PMC9805092 DOI: 10.1186/s12934-022-02007-9] [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: 11/01/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Over the 70 years since the introduction of plastic into everyday items, plastic waste has become an increasing problem. With over 360 million tonnes of plastics produced every year, solutions for plastic recycling and plastic waste reduction are sorely needed. Recently, multiple enzymes capable of degrading PET (polyethylene terephthalate) plastic have been identified and engineered. In particular, the enzymes PETase and MHETase from Ideonella sakaiensis depolymerize PET into the two building blocks used for its synthesis, ethylene glycol (EG) and terephthalic acid (TPA). Importantly, EG and TPA can be re-used for PET synthesis allowing complete and sustainable PET recycling. RESULTS In this study we used Saccharomyces cerevisiae, a species utilized widely in bioindustrial fermentation processes, as a platform to develop a whole-cell catalyst expressing the MHETase enzyme, which converts monohydroxyethyl terephthalate (MHET) into TPA and EG. We assessed six expression architectures and identified those resulting in efficient MHETase expression on the yeast cell surface. We show that the MHETase whole-cell catalyst has activity comparable to recombinant MHETase purified from Escherichia coli. Finally, we demonstrate that surface displayed MHETase is active across a range of pHs, temperatures, and for at least 12 days at room temperature. CONCLUSIONS We demonstrate the feasibility of using S. cerevisiae as a platform for the expression and surface display of PET degrading enzymes and predict that the whole-cell catalyst will be a viable alternative to protein purification-based approaches for plastic degradation.
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Chang X, Wang Y, Sun J, Xiang H, Yang Y, Chen S, Yu J, Yang C. Mitigation of tobacco bacteria wilt with microbial degradation of phenolic allelochemicals. Sci Rep 2022; 12:20716. [PMID: 36456681 PMCID: PMC9715567 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-25142-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Accepted: 11/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Long-term continuous monoculture cropping of tobacco leads to high incidence of tobacco bacterial wilt (TBW) caused by Ralstonia solanacearum, which threatening world tobacco production and causing great economy loss. In this study, a safe and effective way to control TBW by microbial degradation of phenolic allelochemicals (PAs) was explored. Eleven kinds of PAs were identified from continuous tobacco cropping soil. These PAs exhibited various effects on the growth, chemotaxis and biofilm formation of R. solanacearum. Then we isolated eight strains of Bacillus, one strain of Brucella, one strain of Enterobacter and one strain of Stenotrophomonas capable of degrading these PAs. The results of degradation assay showed that these isolated strains could degrade PAs both in culture solutions and soil. Besides, the incidence of TBW caused by R. solanacearum and deteriorated by PAs were significantly decreased by treating with these degrading strains. Furthermore, six out of eleven isolated strains were combined to degrade all the identified PAs and ultimately sharply reduced the incidence of TBW by 61.44% in pot experiment. In addition, the combined degrading bacteria could promote the plant growth and defense response. This study will provide a promising strategy for TBW control in tobacco production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaohan Chang
- grid.34418.3a0000 0001 0727 9022State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, School of Life Science, Hubei University, Wuhan, 430062 China
| | - Yi Wang
- Tobacco Research Institute of Hubei Province, Wuhan, 430030 China
| | - Jingguo Sun
- Tobacco Research Institute of Hubei Province, Wuhan, 430030 China
| | - Haibo Xiang
- grid.34418.3a0000 0001 0727 9022State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, School of Life Science, Hubei University, Wuhan, 430062 China
| | - Yong Yang
- grid.34418.3a0000 0001 0727 9022State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, School of Life Science, Hubei University, Wuhan, 430062 China
| | - Shouwen Chen
- grid.34418.3a0000 0001 0727 9022State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, School of Life Science, Hubei University, Wuhan, 430062 China
| | - Jun Yu
- Tobacco Research Institute of Hubei Province, Wuhan, 430030 China
| | - Chunlei Yang
- Tobacco Research Institute of Hubei Province, Wuhan, 430030 China
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35
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Oliveira J, Almeida PL, Sobral RG, Lourenço ND, Gaudêncio SP. Marine-Derived Actinomycetes: Biodegradation of Plastics and Formation of PHA Bioplastics-A Circular Bioeconomy Approach. Mar Drugs 2022; 20:md20120760. [PMID: 36547907 PMCID: PMC9783806 DOI: 10.3390/md20120760] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2022] [Revised: 11/22/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Plastics are present in the majority of daily-use products worldwide. Due to society's production and consumption patterns, plastics are accumulating in the environment, causing global pollution issues and intergenerational impacts. Our work aims to contribute to the development of solutions and sustainable methods to mitigate this pressing problem, focusing on the ability of marine-derived actinomycetes to accelerate plastics biodegradation and produce polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), which are biodegradable bioplastics. The thin plastic films' biodegradation was monitored by weight loss, changes in the surface chemical structure (Infra-Red spectroscopy FTIR-ATR), and by mechanical properties (tensile strength tests). Thirty-six marine-derived actinomycete strains were screened for their plastic biodegradability potential. Among these, Streptomyces gougerotti, Micromonospora matsumotoense, and Nocardiopsis prasina revealed ability to degrade plastic films-low-density polyethylene (LDPE), polystyrene (PS) and polylactic acid (PLA) in varying conditions, namely upon the addition of yeast extract to the culture media and the use of UV pre-treated thin plastic films. Enhanced biodegradation by these bacteria was observed in both cases. S. gougerotti degraded 0.56% of LDPE films treated with UV radiation and 0.67% of PS films when inoculated with yeast extract. Additionally, N. prasina degraded 1.27% of PLA films when these were treated with UV radiation, and yeast extract was added to the culture medium. The main and most frequent differences observed in FTIR-ATR spectra during biodegradation occurred at 1740 cm-1, indicating the formation of carbonyl groups and an increase in the intensity of the bands, which indicates oxidation. Young Modulus decreased by 30% on average. In addition, S. gougerotti and M. matsumotoense, besides biodegrading conventional plastics (LDPE and PS), were also able to use these as a carbon source to produce degradable PHA bioplastics in a circular economy concept.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliana Oliveira
- Associate Laboratory i4HB, Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, NOVA School of Science and Technology, NOVA University Lisbon, 2819-516 Caparica, Portugal
- UCIBIO-Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit, Chemistry and Life Science Departments, NOVA School of Science and Technology, NOVA University Lisbon, 2819-516 Caparica, Portugal
| | - Pedro L. Almeida
- I3N-CENIMAT, Materials Science Department, School of Science and Technology, NOVA University Lisbon, 2819-516 Caparica, Portugal
- Physics Department, Instituto Superior de Engenharia de Lisboa, Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa, 1959-007 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Rita G. Sobral
- Associate Laboratory i4HB, Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, NOVA School of Science and Technology, NOVA University Lisbon, 2819-516 Caparica, Portugal
- UCIBIO-Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit, Chemistry and Life Science Departments, NOVA School of Science and Technology, NOVA University Lisbon, 2819-516 Caparica, Portugal
| | - Nídia D. Lourenço
- Associate Laboratory i4HB, Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, NOVA School of Science and Technology, NOVA University Lisbon, 2819-516 Caparica, Portugal
- UCIBIO-Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit, Chemistry and Life Science Departments, NOVA School of Science and Technology, NOVA University Lisbon, 2819-516 Caparica, Portugal
| | - Susana P. Gaudêncio
- Associate Laboratory i4HB, Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, NOVA School of Science and Technology, NOVA University Lisbon, 2819-516 Caparica, Portugal
- UCIBIO-Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit, Chemistry and Life Science Departments, NOVA School of Science and Technology, NOVA University Lisbon, 2819-516 Caparica, Portugal
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +351-21-2948300; Fax: +351-21-2948550
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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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37
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Plastic Waste Upcycling: A Sustainable Solution for Waste Management, Product Development, and Circular Economy. Polymers (Basel) 2022; 14:polym14224788. [PMID: 36432915 PMCID: PMC9694193 DOI: 10.3390/polym14224788] [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: 10/14/2022] [Revised: 10/30/2022] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Plastic waste pollution, including non-biodegradable landfills, leaching of toxic chemicals into soil and waterways, and emission of toxic gases into the atmosphere, is significantly affecting our environment. Conventional plastic waste recycling approaches generally produce lower value materials compared to the original plastic or recover inefficient heat energy. Lately, upcycling or the valorization approach has emerged as a sustainable solution to transform plastic waste into value-added products. In this review, we present an overview of recent advancements in plastic waste upcycling, such as vitrimerization, nanocomposite fabrication, additive manufacturing, catalytic transformation, and industrial biotechnology, envisaged with technical challenges, future developments, and new circular economy opportunities.
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38
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Ramezani Dana H, Ebrahimi F. Synthesis, properties, and applications of polylactic
acid‐based
polymers. POLYM ENG SCI 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/pen.26193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Hossein Ramezani Dana
- Mechanics, Surfaces and Materials Processing (MSMP) – EA 7350 Arts et Metiers Institute of Technology Aix‐en‐Provence France
- Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station (TEES) Texas A&M University College Station Texas USA
| | - Farnoosh Ebrahimi
- PRISM Polymer, Recycling, Industrial, Sustainability and Manufacturing Technological University of the Shannon (TUS) Athlone Ireland
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39
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Kim NK, Lee SH, Park HD. Current biotechnologies on depolymerization of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and repolymerization of reclaimed monomers from PET for bio-upcycling: A critical review. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2022; 363:127931. [PMID: 36100185 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2022.127931] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2022] [Revised: 09/04/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The production of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) has drastically increased in the past half-century, reaching 30 million tons every year. The accumulation of this recalcitrant waste now threatens diverse ecosystems. Despite efforts to recycle PET wastes, its rate of recycling remains limited, as the current PET downcycling is mostly unremunerative. To address this problem, PET bio-upcycling, which integrates microbial depolymerization of PET followed by repolymerization of PET-derived monomers into value-added products, has been suggested. This article critically reviews current understanding of microbial PET hydrolysis, the metabolic mechanisms involved in PET degradation, PET hydrolases, and their genetic improvement. Furthermore, this review includes the use of meta-omics approaches to search PET-degrading microbiomes, microbes, and putative hydrolases. The current development of biosynthetic technologies to convert PET-derived materials into value-added products is also comprehensively discussed. The integration of various depolymerization and repolymerization biotechnologies enhances the prospects of a circular economy using waste PET.
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Affiliation(s)
- Na-Kyung Kim
- School of Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering, Korea University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Sang-Hoon Lee
- School of Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering, Korea University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Hee-Deung Park
- School of Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering, Korea University, Seoul, South Korea.
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40
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Akgül A, Palmeiro-Sanchez T, Lange H, Magalhaes D, Moore S, Paiva A, Kazanç F, Trubetskaya A. Characterization of tars from recycling of PHA bioplastic and synthetic plastics using fast pyrolysis. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2022; 439:129696. [PMID: 36104917 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.129696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2022] [Revised: 07/14/2022] [Accepted: 07/27/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate the pyrolysis products of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), carbon fiber reinforced composite (CFRC), and block co-polymers (PS-b-P2VP and PS-b-P4VP). The studied PHA samples were produced at temperatures of 15 and 50 oC (PHA15 and PHA50), and commercially obtained from GlasPort Bio (PHAc). Initially, PHA samples were analyzed by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and size exclusion chromatography (SEC) to determine the molecular weight, and structure of the polymers. Thermal techniques such as thermogravimetry (TG) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analyses were performed for PHA, CFRC, and block co-polymers to investigate the degradation temperature range and thermal stability of samples. Fast pyrolysis (500 oC, ∼102 °C s-1) experiments were conducted for all samples in a wire mesh reactor to investigate tar products and char yields. The tar compositions were investigated by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and statistical modeling was performed. The char yields of block co-polymers and PHA samples (<2 wt. %) were unequivocally less than that of the PET sample (~10.7 wt. %). All PHA compounds contained a large fraction of ethyl cyclopropane carboxylate (~ 38-58 %), whereas PAH15 and PHA50 additionally showed a large quantity of 2-butenoic acid (~8-12 %). The PHAc sample indicated the presence of considerably high amount of methyl ester (~15 %), butyl citrate (~12.9 %), and tributyl ester (~17 %). The compositional analyses of the liquid fraction of the PET and block co-polymers have shown carcinogenic and toxic properties. Pyrolysis removed matrices in the CRFC composites which is an indication of potential recovery of the original fibers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alican Akgül
- Mechanical Engineering Department, Middle East Technical University, Ankara, Turkey
| | | | - Heiko Lange
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza 1, 20126 Milan, Italy
| | - Duarte Magalhaes
- Mechanical Engineering Department, Middle East Technical University, Ankara, Turkey; Dept. of Energy, Environmental & Chemical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA
| | - Sean Moore
- Department of Engineering, University of Limerick, Castletroy, Ireland
| | - Alexandre Paiva
- NOVA School of Science and Technology, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal
| | - Feyza Kazanç
- Mechanical Engineering Department, Middle East Technical University, Ankara, Turkey.
| | - Anna Trubetskaya
- Department of Engineering, University of Limerick, Castletroy, Ireland.
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41
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Liu P, Zheng Y, Yuan Y, Zhang T, Li Q, Liang Q, Su T, Qi Q. Valorization of Polyethylene Terephthalate to Muconic Acid by Engineering Pseudomonas Putida. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms231910997. [PMID: 36232310 PMCID: PMC9569715 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231910997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Revised: 09/15/2022] [Accepted: 09/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Plastic waste is rapidly accumulating in the environment and becoming a huge global challenge. Many studies have highlighted the role of microbial metabolic engineering for the valorization of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) waste. In this study, we proposed a new conceptual scheme for upcycling of PET. We constructed a multifunctional Pseudomonas putida KT2440 to simultaneously secrete PET hydrolase LCC, a leaf-branch compost cutinase, and synthesize muconic acid (MA) using the PET hydrolysate. The final product MA and extracellular LCC can be separated from the supernatant of the culture by ultrafiltration, and the latter was used for the next round of PET hydrolysis. A total of 0.50 g MA was produced from 1 g PET in each cycle of the whole biological processes, reaching 68% of the theoretical conversion. This new conceptual scheme for the valorization of PET waste should have advantages over existing PET upcycling schemes and provides new ideas for the utilization of other macromolecular resources that are difficult to decompose, such as lignin.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Tianyuan Su
- Correspondence: (T.S.); (Q.Q.); Tel./Fax: +86-532-58632580 (Q.Q.)
| | - Qingsheng Qi
- Correspondence: (T.S.); (Q.Q.); Tel./Fax: +86-532-58632580 (Q.Q.)
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42
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Ramírez Rojas AA, Swidah R, Schindler D. Microbes of traditional fermentation processes as synthetic biology chassis to tackle future food challenges. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2022; 10:982975. [PMID: 36185425 PMCID: PMC9523148 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.982975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 08/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Microbial diversity is magnificent and essential to almost all life on Earth. Microbes are an essential part of every human, allowing us to utilize otherwise inaccessible resources. It is no surprise that humans started, initially unconsciously, domesticating microbes for food production: one may call this microbial domestication 1.0. Sourdough bread is just one of the miracles performed by microbial fermentation, allowing extraction of more nutrients from flour and at the same time creating a fluffy and delicious loaf. There are a broad range of products the production of which requires fermentation such as chocolate, cheese, coffee and vinegar. Eventually, with the rise of microscopy, humans became aware of microbial life. Today our knowledge and technological advances allow us to genetically engineer microbes - one may call this microbial domestication 2.0. Synthetic biology and microbial chassis adaptation allow us to tackle current and future food challenges. One of the most apparent challenges is the limited space on Earth available for agriculture and its major tolls on the environment through use of pesticides and the replacement of ecosystems with monocultures. Further challenges include transport and packaging, exacerbated by the 24/7 on-demand mentality of many customers. Synthetic biology already tackles multiple food challenges and will be able to tackle many future food challenges. In this perspective article, we highlight recent microbial synthetic biology research to address future food challenges. We further give a perspective on how synthetic biology tools may teach old microbes new tricks, and what standardized microbial domestication could look like.
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43
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Zhou H, Wang Y, Ren Y, Li Z, Kong X, Shao M, Duan H. Plastic Waste Valorization by Leveraging Multidisciplinary Catalytic Technologies. ACS Catal 2022. [DOI: 10.1021/acscatal.2c02775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Hua Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering, College of Chemistry, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China
- Haihe Laboratory of Sustainable Chemical Transformations, Tianjin 300192, China
| | - Ye Wang
- Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Yue Ren
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering, College of Chemistry, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Zhenhua Li
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering, College of Chemistry, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Xianggui Kong
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering, College of Chemistry, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Mingfei Shao
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering, College of Chemistry, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Haohong Duan
- Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
- Haihe Laboratory of Sustainable Chemical Transformations, Tianjin 300192, China
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44
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From Organic Wastes and Hydrocarbons Pollutants to Polyhydroxyalkanoates: Bioconversion by Terrestrial and Marine Bacteria. SUSTAINABILITY 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/su14148241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
The use of fossil-based plastics has become unsustainable because of the polluting production processes, difficulties for waste management sectors, and high environmental impact. Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) are bio-based biodegradable polymers derived from renewable resources and synthesized by bacteria as intracellular energy and carbon storage materials under nutrients or oxygen limitation and through the optimization of cultivation conditions with both pure and mixed culture systems. The PHA properties are affected by the same principles of oil-derived polyolefins, with a broad range of compositions, due to the incorporation of different monomers into the polymer matrix. As a consequence, the properties of such materials are represented by a broad range depending on tunable PHA composition. Producing waste-derived PHA is technically feasible with mixed microbial cultures (MMC), since no sterilization is required; this technology may represent a solution for waste treatment and valorization, and it has recently been developed at the pilot scale level with different process configurations where aerobic microorganisms are usually subjected to a dynamic feeding regime for their selection and to a high organic load for the intracellular accumulation of PHA. In this review, we report on studies on terrestrial and marine bacteria PHA-producers. The available knowledge on PHA production from the use of different kinds of organic wastes, and otherwise, petroleum-polluted natural matrices coupling bioremediation treatment has been explored. The advancements in these areas have been significant; they generally concern the terrestrial environment, where pilot and industrial processes are already established. Recently, marine bacteria have also offered interesting perspectives due to their advantageous effects on production practices, which they can relieve several constraints. Studies on the use of hydrocarbons as carbon sources offer evidence for the feasibility of the bioconversion of fossil-derived plastics into bioplastics.
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45
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Brandenberg OF, Schubert OT, Kruglyak L. Towards synthetic PETtrophy: Engineering Pseudomonas putida for concurrent polyethylene terephthalate (PET) monomer metabolism and PET hydrolase expression. Microb Cell Fact 2022; 21:119. [PMID: 35717313 PMCID: PMC9206389 DOI: 10.1186/s12934-022-01849-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2022] [Accepted: 05/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Biocatalysis offers a promising path for plastic waste management and valorization, especially for hydrolysable plastics such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Microbial whole-cell biocatalysts for simultaneous PET degradation and growth on PET monomers would offer a one-step solution toward PET recycling or upcycling. We set out to engineer the industry-proven bacterium Pseudomonas putida for (i) metabolism of PET monomers as sole carbon sources, and (ii) efficient extracellular expression of PET hydrolases. We pursued this approach for both PET and the related polyester polybutylene adipate co-terephthalate (PBAT), aiming to learn about the determinants and potential applications of bacterial polyester-degrading biocatalysts. RESULTS P. putida was engineered to metabolize the PET and PBAT monomer terephthalic acid (TA) through genomic integration of four tphII operon genes from Comamonas sp. E6. Efficient cellular TA uptake was enabled by a point mutation in the native P. putida membrane transporter MhpT. Metabolism of the PET and PBAT monomers ethylene glycol and 1,4-butanediol was achieved through adaptive laboratory evolution. We then used fast design-build-test-learn cycles to engineer extracellular PET hydrolase expression, including tests of (i) the three PET hydrolases LCC, HiC, and IsPETase; (ii) genomic versus plasmid-based expression, using expression plasmids with high, medium, and low cellular copy number; (iii) three different promoter systems; (iv) three membrane anchor proteins for PET hydrolase cell surface display; and (v) a 30-mer signal peptide library for PET hydrolase secretion. PET hydrolase surface display and secretion was successfully engineered but often resulted in host cell fitness costs, which could be mitigated by promoter choice and altering construct copy number. Plastic biodegradation assays with the best PET hydrolase expression constructs genomically integrated into our monomer-metabolizing P. putida strains resulted in various degrees of plastic depolymerization, although self-sustaining bacterial growth remained elusive. CONCLUSION Our results show that balancing extracellular PET hydrolase expression with cellular fitness under nutrient-limiting conditions is a challenge. The precise knowledge of such bottlenecks, together with the vast array of PET hydrolase expression tools generated and tested here, may serve as a baseline for future efforts to engineer P. putida or other bacterial hosts towards becoming efficient whole-cell polyester-degrading biocatalysts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oliver F Brandenberg
- Department of Human Genetics, Department of Biological Chemistry, and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, USA.
| | - Olga T Schubert
- Department of Human Genetics, Department of Biological Chemistry, and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, USA.,Department of Environmental Microbiology, EAWAG, 8600, Dübendorf, Switzerland.,Department of Environmental Systems Science, ETH Zurich, 8092, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Leonid Kruglyak
- Department of Human Genetics, Department of Biological Chemistry, and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, USA.
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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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47
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Gao R, Pan H, Kai L, Han K, Lian J. Microbial degradation and valorization of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) monomers. World J Microbiol Biotechnol 2022; 38:89. [PMID: 35426614 DOI: 10.1007/s11274-022-03270-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2022] [Accepted: 03/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is one of the major plastics with a huge annual production. Alongside with its mass production and wide applications, PET pollution is threatening and damaging the environment and human health. Although mechanical or chemical methods can deal with PET, the process suffers from high cost and the hydrolyzed monomers will cause secondary pollution. Discovery of plastic-degrading microbes and the corresponding enzymes emerges new hope to cope with this issue. Combined with synthetic biology and metabolic engineering, microbial cell factories not only provide a promising approach to degrade PET, but also enable the conversion of its monomers, ethylene glycol (EG) and terephthalic acid (TPA), into value-added compounds. In this way, PET wastes can be handled in environment-friendly and more potentially cost-effective processes. While PET hydrolases have been extensively reviewed, this review focuses on the microbes and metabolic pathways for the degradation of PET monomers. In addition, recent advances in the biotransformation of TPA and EG into value-added compounds are discussed in detail.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Gao
- Key Laboratory of Biomass Chemical Engineering of Ministry of Education, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, 310027, Hangzhou, China.,Hangzhou Global Scientific and Technological Innovation Center, Zhejiang University, 310027, Hangzhou, China
| | - Haojie Pan
- Key Laboratory of Biomass Chemical Engineering of Ministry of Education, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, 310027, Hangzhou, China
| | - Lei Kai
- Key Laboratory of Biotechnology for Medicinal Plants of Jiangsu Province, School of Life Sciences, Jiangsu Normal University, 22116, Xuzhou, China.,Jiangsu Keybio Co. LTD, 22116, Xuzhou, China
| | - Kun Han
- Jiangsu Keybio Co. LTD, 22116, Xuzhou, China
| | - Jiazhang Lian
- Key Laboratory of Biomass Chemical Engineering of Ministry of Education, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Zhejiang University, 310027, Hangzhou, China. .,Hangzhou Global Scientific and Technological Innovation Center, Zhejiang University, 310027, Hangzhou, China.
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48
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Jehanno C, Alty JW, Roosen M, De Meester S, Dove AP, Chen EYX, Leibfarth FA, Sardon H. Critical advances and future opportunities in upcycling commodity polymers. Nature 2022; 603:803-814. [PMID: 35354997 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-021-04350-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 196] [Impact Index Per Article: 98.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2020] [Accepted: 12/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The vast majority of commodity plastics do not degrade and therefore they permanently pollute the environment. At present, less than 20% of post-consumer plastic waste in developed countries is recycled, predominately for energy recovery or repurposing as lower-value materials by mechanical recycling. Chemical recycling offers an opportunity to revert plastics back to monomers for repolymerization to virgin materials without altering the properties of the material or the economic value of the polymer. For plastic waste that is either cost prohibitive or infeasible to mechanically or chemically recycle, the nascent field of chemical upcycling promises to use chemical or engineering approaches to place plastic waste at the beginning of a new value chain. Here state-of-the-art methods are highlighted for upcycling plastic waste into value-added performance materials, fine chemicals and specialty polymers. By identifying common conceptual approaches, we critically discuss how the advantages and challenges of each approach contribute to the goal of realizing a sustainable plastics economy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Coralie Jehanno
- POLYMAT, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Donostia-San Sebastian, Spain.,POLYKEY, Donostia-San Sebastian, Spain
| | - Jill W Alty
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Martijn Roosen
- Laboratory for Circular Process Engineering, Ghent University, Kortrijk, Belgium
| | - Steven De Meester
- Laboratory for Circular Process Engineering, Ghent University, Kortrijk, Belgium.
| | - Andrew P Dove
- School of Chemistry, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Eugene Y-X Chen
- Department of Chemistry, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Frank A Leibfarth
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
| | - Haritz Sardon
- POLYMAT, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Donostia-San Sebastian, Spain.
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Abstract
Large-scale worldwide production of plastics requires the use of large quantities of fossil fuels, leading to a negative impact on the environment. If the production of plastic continues to increase at the current rate, the industry will account for one fifth of global oil use by 2050. Bioplastics currently represent less than one percent of total plastic produced, but they are expected to increase in the coming years, due to rising demand. The usage of bioplastics would allow the dependence on fossil fuels to be reduced and could represent an opportunity to add some interesting functionalities to the materials. Moreover, the plastics derived from bio-based resources are more carbon-neutral and their manufacture generates a lower amount of greenhouse gasses. The substitution of conventional plastic with renewable plastic will therefore promote a more sustainable economy, society, and environment. Consequently, more and more studies have been focusing on the production of interesting bio-based building blocks for bioplastics. However, a coherent review of the contribution of fermentation technology to a more sustainable plastic production is yet to be carried out. Here, we present the recent advancement in bioplastic production and describe the possible integration of bio-based monomers as renewable precursors. Representative examples of both published and commercial fermentation processes are discussed.
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50
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Oh YR, Jang YA, Song JK, Eom GT. Secretory production of an engineered cutinase in Bacillus subtilis for efficient biocatalytic depolymerization of polyethylene terephthalate. Bioprocess Biosyst Eng 2022; 45:711-720. [PMID: 35039943 DOI: 10.1007/s00449-022-02690-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2021] [Accepted: 01/07/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) waste has caused serious environmental pollution. Recently, PET depolymerization by enzymes with PET-depolymerizing activity has received attention as a solution to recycle PET. An engineered variant of leaf-branch compost cutinase (293 amino acid), ICCG (Phe243Ile/Asp238Cys/Ser283Cys/Tyr127Gly), showed excellent depolymerizing activity toward PET at 72 °C, which was the highest depolymerizing activity and thermo-stability ever reported in previous works. However, this enzyme was only produced by heterologous expression in the cytoplasm of Escherichia coli, which requires complex separation and purification steps. To simplify the purification steps of ICCG, we developed a secretory production system using Bacillus subtilis and its 174 types of N-terminal signal peptides. The recombinant strain expressing ICCG with the signal peptide of serine protease secreted the highest amount (9.4 U/mL) of ICCG. We improved the production of ICCG up to 22.6 U/mL (85 μg/mL) by performing batch fermentation of the selected strain in 2 L working volume using a 5-L fermenter, and prepared the crude ICCG solution by concentrating the culture supernatant. The recombinant ICCG successfully depolymerized a PET film with 37% crystallinity at 37 °C and 70 °C. In this study, we developed a secretory production system of the engineered cutinase with PET-depolymerizing activity to obtain high amounts of the enzyme by a relatively simple purification method. This system will contribute to the recycling of PET waste via a more efficient and environmentally friendly method based on enzymes with PET-depolymerizing activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Ri Oh
- Bio-Based Chemistry Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology, Ulsan, 44429, Republic of Korea
| | - Young-Ah Jang
- Bio-Based Chemistry Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology, Ulsan, 44429, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae Kwang Song
- Bio-Based Chemistry Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology (KRICT), 141, Gajeong-ro, Daejeon, 34114, Republic of Korea
| | - Gyeong Tae Eom
- Bio-Based Chemistry Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology, Ulsan, 44429, Republic of Korea. .,Advanced Materials and Chemical Engineering, University of Science and Technology (UST), Daejeon, 34113, Republic of Korea.
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