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Lu Q, Tang D, Liang Q, Wang S. Biotechnology for the degradation and upcycling of traditional plastics. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 263:120140. [PMID: 39395553 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.120140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2024] [Revised: 10/09/2024] [Accepted: 10/10/2024] [Indexed: 10/14/2024]
Abstract
Traditional plastics, predominantly derived from petrochemicals, are extensively utilized in modern industry and daily life. However, inadequate management and disposal practices have resulted in widespread environmental contamination, with polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene terephthalate, and polystyrene being the most prevalent pollutants. Biological methods for plastic degradation have garnered significant attention due to their cost-effectiveness and potential for resource recovery, positioning them as promising strategies for sustainable plastic waste management. While polyethylene terephthalate, characterized by its relatively less stable C-O bonds, has been extensively studied and demonstrates significant potential for biodegradation. In contrast, the biodegradation of other plastics remains a significant challenge due to the inherent stability of their C-C backbone structures. This review comprehensively examines the state-of-the-art biotechnology for treating these traditional plastics, focusing on: (1) the roles of specific microorganisms and enzymes, their taxonomic classifications, and the metabolic pathways involved in plastic biodegradation; and (2) a proposed two-stage hybrid approach integrating physicochemical and biological processes to enhance the biodegradation or upcycling of these traditional plastics. Additionally, the review highlights the critical role of multi-omics approaches and tailored strategies in enhancing the efficiency of plastic biodegradation while examining the impact of plastic molecular structures and additives on their degradation potential. It also addresses key challenges and delineates future research directions to foster the development of innovative biological methods for the effective and sustainable management of plastic waste.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qihong Lu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control and Remediation Technology, Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510006, China.
| | - Daoyu Tang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control and Remediation Technology, Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Qi Liang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control and Remediation Technology, Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Shanquan Wang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control and Remediation Technology, Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510006, China.
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2
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Tanaka Y, Hiraga K, Inui M. Regulation of the expression of MHETase and TPA degradation genes involved in the degradation of PET in Ideonella sakaiensis. FEBS J 2024; 291:4489-4500. [PMID: 39110086 DOI: 10.1111/febs.17240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2023] [Revised: 05/03/2024] [Accepted: 07/24/2024] [Indexed: 10/17/2024]
Abstract
Ideonella sakaiensis is a bacterium that can degrade and consume polyethylene terephthalate (PET), a plastic material that was previously considered non-biodegradable. The degradation of PET requires two enzymes, namely poly (ethylene terephthalate) hydrolase (PETase) and mono (2-hydroxyethyl) terephthalate hydrolase (MHETase), which break down PET into terephthalate (TPA) and ethylene glycol (EG), which serve as carbon sources for the bacterium. Previous studies have focused on the enzymatic properties, structure, and mechanism of action of PETase and MHETase. However, the regulation of PETase and MHETase gene expression has not been investigated. This study identified a protein that binds to the MHETase promoter DNA, MHETase gene-regulating protein (MRP) in I. sakaiensis. PET or TPA induced the expression of PETase and MHETase genes. Furthermore, the induction of the MHETase gene was abolished by the deletion of the mrp gene, while the expression of the PETase gene was maintained. In addition, the genes involved in TPA metabolism were not induced in the mrp mutant. Furthermore, the growth of the PET and TPA deteriorated due to mrp mutation. Also, MRP binds to the promoter regions of the MHETase gene and TPA metabolizing genes, but not to the PETase gene promoter. These results suggest that MRP is a transcription factor that activates MHETase and TPA-metabolizing genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuya Tanaka
- Research Institute of Innovative Technology for the Earth, Kizugawa, Japan
| | - Kazumi Hiraga
- Graduate School of Science and Technology, Nara Institute of Science and Technology, Ikoma, Japan
| | - Masayuki Inui
- Research Institute of Innovative Technology for the Earth, Kizugawa, Japan
- Graduate School of Science and Technology, Nara Institute of Science and Technology, Ikoma, Japan
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3
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Wang H, Zhu J, Sun M, Gu M, Xie X, Ying T, Zhang Z, Zhong W. Biodegradation of combined pollutants of polyethylene terephthalate and phthalate esters by esterase-integrated Pseudomonas sp. JY-Q with surface-co-displayed PETase and MHETase. Synth Syst Biotechnol 2024; 10:10-22. [PMID: 39206086 PMCID: PMC11350496 DOI: 10.1016/j.synbio.2024.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2024] [Revised: 07/30/2024] [Accepted: 08/02/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024] Open
Abstract
The waste pollution problem caused by polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastics poses a huge threat to the environment and human health. As plasticizers, Phthalate esters (PAEs) are widely used in PET production and become combined pollutants with PET. Synthetic biology make it possible to construct engineered cells for microbial degradation of combined pollutants of PET and PAEs. PET hydroxylase (PETase) and monohydroxyethyl terephthalate hydroxylase (MHETase) isolated from Ideonella sakaiensis 201-F6 exhibit the capability to depolymerize PET. However, PET cannot enter cells, thus enzymatic degradation or cell surface displaying technology of PET hydrolase are the potential strategies. In this study, Pseudomonas sp. JY-Q was selected as a chassis strain, which exhibits robust stress tolerance. First, a truncated endogenous outer membrane protein cOmpA and its variant Signal (OprF)-cOmpA were selected as anchor motifs for exogenous protein to display on the cell surface. These anchor motifs were fused at the N-terminal of PET hydrolase and MHETase and transformed into Pseudomonas sp. JY-Q, the mutant strains successfully display the enzymes on cell surface, after verification by green fluorescent protein labeling and indirect immunofluorescence assay. The resultant strains also showed the catalytic activity of co-displaying PETase and MHETase for PET biodegradation. Then, the cell surface displaying PET degradation module was introduced to a JY-Q strain which genome was integrated with PAEs degrading enzymes and exhibited PAEs degradation ability. The resultant strain JY-Q-R1-R4-SFM-TPH have the ability of degradation PET and PAEs simultaneously. This study provided a promising strain resource for PET and PAEs pollution control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haixia Wang
- College of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, 310032, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Jiahong Zhu
- College of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, 310032, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Meng Sun
- College of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, 310032, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Mengjie Gu
- College of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, 310032, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Xiya Xie
- College of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, 310032, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Tongtong Ying
- College of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, 310032, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Zeling Zhang
- College of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, 310032, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Weihong Zhong
- College of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, 310032, Zhejiang Province, China
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4
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Méndez-Zamora A, Diaz-Vidal T, Robles-Machuca M, Pereira-Santana A, Casas-Godoy L. Unveiling potential PET degrading eukaryotes through in silico bioprospecting of PETases. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 948:174978. [PMID: 39047840 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.174978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2024] [Revised: 07/05/2024] [Accepted: 07/21/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024]
Abstract
This study addresses the environmental problem of PET plastic through in silico bioprospecting for the identification and experimental validation of novel PET degrading eukaryotes through the in silico bioprospectingI of PETases, employing a methodology that combines Hidden Markov Models (HMMs), clustering techniques, molecular docking, and dynamic simulations. A total of 424 putative PETase sequences were identified from 219 eukaryotic organisms, highlighting six sequences with low affinity energies. The Aspergillus luchuensis sequence showed the lowest Gibbs free energy and exhibited stability at different temperatures in molecular dynamics assays. Experimental validation, through a plate clearance assay and HPLC, confirmed PETase activity in three wild-type fungal strains, with A. luchuensis showing the highest efficiency. The results obtained demonstrate the effectiveness of combining computational and experimental approaches as proof of concept to discover and validate eukaryotes with PET-degrading capabilities opening new perspectives for the sustainable management of this type of waste and contributing to its environmental mitigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrés Méndez-Zamora
- Centro de Investigación y Asistencia en Tecnología y Diseño del Estado de Jalisco (CIATEJ), Avenida Normalistas 800, Col. Colinas de la Normal, C.P. 44270 Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico
| | - Tania Diaz-Vidal
- Centro de Investigación y Asistencia en Tecnología y Diseño del Estado de Jalisco (CIATEJ), Avenida Normalistas 800, Col. Colinas de la Normal, C.P. 44270 Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico
| | - Marcela Robles-Machuca
- Tecnologia de alimentos, Secretaría de Investigación y Posgrado, Universidad Autónoma de Nayarit, Ciudad de la Cultura s/n, C.P. 63000 Tepic, Nayarit, Mexico
| | - Alejandro Pereira-Santana
- CONAHCYT-Centro de Investigación y Asistencia en Tecnología y Diseño del Estado de Jalisco, Parque Científico Tecnológico de Yucatán, 97302 Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico.
| | - Leticia Casas-Godoy
- CONAHCYT-Centro de Investigación y Asistencia en Tecnología y Diseño del Estado de Jalisco, Camino Arenero 1227, El Bajío, 45019 Zapopan, Jalisco, Mexico.
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Wang C, Long R, Lin X, Liu W, Zhu L, Jiang L. Development and characterization of a bacterial enzyme cascade reaction system for efficient and stable PET degradation. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 472:134480. [PMID: 38703683 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.134480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2024] [Revised: 04/15/2024] [Accepted: 04/27/2024] [Indexed: 05/06/2024]
Abstract
The widespread use of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) in various industries has led to a surge in microplastics (MPs) pollution, posing a significant threat to ecosystems and human health. To address this, we have developed a bacterial enzyme cascade reaction system (BECRS) that focuses on the efficient degradation of PET. This system harnesses the Escherichia coli (E. coli) surface to display CsgA protein, which forms curli fibers, along with the carbohydrate-binding module 3 (CBM3) and PETases, to enhance the adsorption and degradation of PET. The study demonstrated that the BECRS achieved a notable PET film degradation rate of 3437 ± 148 μg/(d*cm²), with a degradation efficiency of 21.40% for crystalline PET MPs, and the degradation products were all converted to TPA. The stability of the system was evidenced by retaining over 80% of its original activity after multiple uses and during one month of storage. Molecular dynamics simulations confirmed that the presence of CsgA did not interfere with the enzymatic activity of PETases. This BECRS represents a significant step forward in the biodegradation of PET, particularly microplastics, offering a practical and sustainable solution for environmental pollution control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chengyong Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 211816, China; College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 211816, China
| | - Rui Long
- College of Food Science and Light Industry, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 211816, China
| | - Xiran Lin
- College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 211816, China
| | - Wei Liu
- College of Food Science and Light Industry, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 211816, China
| | - Liying Zhu
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 211816, China
| | - Ling Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 211816, China; College of Food Science and Light Industry, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 211816, China.
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Shimizu T, Inui M. Novel aspects of ethylene glycol catabolism. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2024; 108:369. [PMID: 38861200 PMCID: PMC11166783 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-024-13179-2] [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: 03/25/2024] [Revised: 05/02/2024] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 06/12/2024]
Abstract
Ethylene glycol (EG) is an industrially important two-carbon diol used as a solvent, antifreeze agent, and building block of polymers such as poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET). Recently, the use of EG as a starting material for the production of bio-fuels or bio-chemicals is gaining attention as a sustainable process since EG can be derived from materials not competing with human food stocks including CO2, syngas, lignocellulolytic biomass, and PET waste. In order to design and construct microbial process for the conversion of EG to value-added chemicals, microbes capable of catabolizing EG such as Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas putida, Rhodococcus jostii, Ideonella sakaiensis, Paracoccus denitrificans, and Acetobacterium woodii are candidates of chassis for the construction of synthetic pathways. In this mini-review, we describe EG catabolic pathways and catabolic enzymes in these microbes, and further review recent advances in microbial conversion of EG to value-added chemicals by means of metabolic engineering. KEY POINTS: • Ethylene glycol is a potential next-generation feedstock for sustainable industry. • Microbial conversion of ethylene glycol to value-added chemicals is gaining attention. • Ethylene glycol-utilizing microbes are useful as chassis for synthetic pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tetsu Shimizu
- Research Institute of Innovative Technology for the Earth, 9-2, Kizugawadai, Kizugawa-shi, Kyoto, 619-0292, Japan
| | - Masayuki Inui
- Research Institute of Innovative Technology for the Earth, 9-2, Kizugawadai, Kizugawa-shi, Kyoto, 619-0292, Japan.
- Division of Biological Science, Graduate School of Science and Technology, Nara Institute of Science and Technology, 8916-5 Takayama, Ikoma, 630-0192, Japan.
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7
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Bergeson AR, Silvera AJ, Alper HS. Bottlenecks in biobased approaches to plastic degradation. Nat Commun 2024; 15:4715. [PMID: 38830860 PMCID: PMC11148140 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-49146-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Plastic waste is an environmental challenge, but also presents a biotechnological opportunity as a unique carbon substrate. With modern biotechnological tools, it is possible to enable both recycling and upcycling. To realize a plastics bioeconomy, significant intrinsic barriers must be overcome using a combination of enzyme, strain, and process engineering. This article highlights advances, challenges, and opportunities for a variety of common plastics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amelia R Bergeson
- McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Ashli J Silvera
- McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Hal S Alper
- McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA.
- Institute for Cellular and Molecular Biology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA.
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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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9
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Acosta DJ, Alper HS. Advances in enzymatic and organismal technologies for the recycling and upcycling of petroleum-derived plastic waste. Curr Opin Biotechnol 2023; 84:103021. [PMID: 37980777 DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2023.103021] [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: 09/08/2023] [Revised: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 11/21/2023]
Abstract
Biological catalysts are emerging with the capability to depolymerize a wide variety of plastics. Improving and discovering these catalysts has leveraged a range of tools, including microbial ecology studies, high-throughput selections, and computationally guided mutational studies. In this review, we discuss the prospects for biological solutions to plastic recycling and upcycling with a focus on major advances in polyethylene terephthalate depolymerization, expanding the range of polymers with known biological catalysts, and the utilization of derived products. We highlight several recent improvements in enzymes and reaction properties, the discovery of a wide variety of novel plastic-depolymerizing biocatalysts, and how depolymerization products can be utilized in recycling and upcycling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel J Acosta
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Hal S Alper
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA; McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA.
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Zhou Y, Ashokkumar V, Amobonye A, Bhattacharjee G, Sirohi R, Singh V, Flora G, Kumar V, Pillai S, Zhang Z, Awasthi MK. Current research trends on cosmetic microplastic pollution and its impacts on the ecosystem: A review. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2023; 320:121106. [PMID: 36681374 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.121106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2022] [Revised: 01/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Since the advent of microplastics, it has become a vital component, directly or indirectly, in our daily lives. With advancements in their use, microplastics have become an integral part of personal care, cosmetics, and cleaning products (PCCPs) and emerged as a domestic source of environmental pollution. Over the years, researchers have ascertained the harmful effects of microplastics on the environment. In this context, the assessment and monitoring of microplastics in PCCPs require considerable attention. In addition, it raises concern regarding the need to develop innovative, sustainable, and environmentally safe technologies to combat microplastic pollution. Therefore, this review is an endeavor to uncover the fate, route and degradation mechanism of cosmetic microplastics. In addition, the major technological advancement in cosmetic microplastic removal and the steps directed toward mitigating cosmetic microplastic pollution are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuwen Zhou
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi Province, 712100, PR China
| | - Veeramuthu Ashokkumar
- Biorefineries for Biofuels & Bioproducts Laboratory, Center for Transdisciplinary Research, Department of Pharmacology, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, Chennai, 600077, India
| | - Ayodeji Amobonye
- Department of Biotechnology and Food Science, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Durban University of Technology, P O Box 1334, Durban, 4000, South Africa
| | - Gargi Bhattacharjee
- Department of Biosciences, School of Science, Indrashil University, Rajpur, Mehsana, 382715, Gujarat, India
| | - Ranjna Sirohi
- School of Health Sciences and Technology, University of Petroleum and Energy Studies, Dehradun, 248001, Uttarakhand, India
| | - Vijai Singh
- Department of Biosciences, School of Science, Indrashil University, Rajpur, Mehsana, 382715, Gujarat, India
| | - G Flora
- Department of Botany, St. Mary's College (Autonomous), Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Vinay Kumar
- Ecotoxicity and Bioconversion Laboratory, Department of Community Medicine, Saveetha Medical College & Hospital, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences (SIMATS), Saveetha Nagar, Thandalam, Chennai, 602105, India
| | - Santhosh Pillai
- Department of Biotechnology and Food Science, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Durban University of Technology, P O Box 1334, Durban, 4000, South Africa
| | - Zengqiang Zhang
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi Province, 712100, PR China
| | - Mukesh Kumar Awasthi
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi Province, 712100, PR China.
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11
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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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12
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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: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [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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13
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Hachisuka SI, Chong JF, Fujiwara T, Takayama A, Kawakami Y, Yoshida S. Ethylene glycol metabolism in the poly(ethylene terephthalate)-degrading bacterium Ideonella sakaiensis. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2022; 106:7867-7878. [DOI: 10.1007/s00253-022-12244-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2022] [Revised: 10/06/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
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Wei R, von Haugwitz G, Pfaff L, Mican J, Badenhorst CP, Liu W, Weber G, Austin HP, Bednar D, Damborsky J, Bornscheuer UT. Mechanism-Based Design of Efficient PET Hydrolases. ACS Catal 2022; 12:3382-3396. [PMID: 35368328 PMCID: PMC8939324 DOI: 10.1021/acscatal.1c05856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 42.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2021] [Revised: 02/04/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is the most widespread synthetic polyester, having been utilized in textile fibers and packaging materials for beverages and food, contributing considerably to the global solid waste stream and environmental plastic pollution. While enzymatic PET recycling and upcycling have recently emerged as viable disposal methods for a circular plastic economy, only a handful of benchmark enzymes have been thoroughly described and subjected to protein engineering for improved properties over the last 16 years. By analyzing the specific material properties of PET and the reaction mechanisms in the context of interfacial biocatalysis, this Perspective identifies several limitations in current enzymatic PET degradation approaches. Unbalanced enzyme-substrate interactions, limited thermostability, and low catalytic efficiency at elevated reaction temperatures, and inhibition caused by oligomeric degradation intermediates still hamper industrial applications that require high catalytic efficiency. To overcome these limitations, successful protein engineering studies using innovative experimental and computational approaches have been published extensively in recent years in this thriving research field and are summarized and discussed in detail here. The acquired knowledge and experience will be applied in the near future to address plastic waste contributed by other mass-produced polymer types (e.g., polyamides and polyurethanes) that should also be properly disposed by biotechnological approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ren Wei
- Institute
of Biochemistry, Department of Biotechnology & Enzyme Catalysis, University of Greifswald, Felix-Hausdorff-Str. 4, D-17487 Greifswald, Germany
| | - Gerlis von Haugwitz
- Institute
of Biochemistry, Department of Biotechnology & Enzyme Catalysis, University of Greifswald, Felix-Hausdorff-Str. 4, D-17487 Greifswald, Germany
| | - Lara Pfaff
- Institute
of Biochemistry, Department of Biotechnology & Enzyme Catalysis, University of Greifswald, Felix-Hausdorff-Str. 4, D-17487 Greifswald, Germany
| | - Jan Mican
- Loschmidt
Laboratories, Department of Experimental Biology and RECETOX, Faculty
of Science, Masaryk University, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic
- International
Clinical Research Center, St. Anne’s University Hospital and
Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, 656 91 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Christoffel P.
S. Badenhorst
- Institute
of Biochemistry, Department of Biotechnology & Enzyme Catalysis, University of Greifswald, Felix-Hausdorff-Str. 4, D-17487 Greifswald, Germany
| | - Weidong Liu
- Tianjin
Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 32 West 7th Avenue, Tianjin Airport
Economic Area, Tianjin, 300308, China
| | - Gert Weber
- Macromolecular
Crystallography, Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin
für Materialien und Energie, Albert-Einstein-Straße 15, D-12489 Berlin, Germany
| | - Harry P. Austin
- Institute
of Biochemistry, Department of Biotechnology & Enzyme Catalysis, University of Greifswald, Felix-Hausdorff-Str. 4, D-17487 Greifswald, Germany
| | - David Bednar
- Loschmidt
Laboratories, Department of Experimental Biology and RECETOX, Faculty
of Science, Masaryk University, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic
- International
Clinical Research Center, St. Anne’s University Hospital and
Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, 656 91 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Jiri Damborsky
- Loschmidt
Laboratories, Department of Experimental Biology and RECETOX, Faculty
of Science, Masaryk University, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic
- International
Clinical Research Center, St. Anne’s University Hospital and
Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, 656 91 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Uwe T. Bornscheuer
- Institute
of Biochemistry, Department of Biotechnology & Enzyme Catalysis, University of Greifswald, Felix-Hausdorff-Str. 4, D-17487 Greifswald, Germany
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Ghodke VM, Punekar NS. Environmental role of aromatic carboxylesterases. Environ Microbiol 2021; 24:2657-2668. [PMID: 34528362 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.15774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2021] [Revised: 09/08/2021] [Accepted: 09/10/2021] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
The carboxylesterases (EC 3.1.1.x) are widely distributed and form an important yet diverse group of hydrolases catalysing the ester bond cleavage in a variety of substrates. Besides acting on plant cell wall components like cutin, tannin and feruloyl esters, they are often the first line of defence to metabolize drugs, xenobiotics, pesticides, insecticides and plastic. But for the promiscuity of some carboxylesterases and cutinases, very few enzymes act exclusively on aromatic carboxylic acid esters. Infrequent occurrence of aromatic carboxylesterases suggests that aromatic carboxylesters are inherently more difficult to hydrolyse than the regular carboxylesters because of both steric and polar effects. Naturally occurring aromatic carboxylesters were rare before the anthropogenic activity augmented their environmental presence and diversity. An appraisal of the literature shows that the hydrolysis of aromatic carboxylic esters is a uniquely difficult endeavour and hence deserves special attention. Enzymes to hydrolyse such esters are evolving rapidly in nature. Very few such enzymes are known and they often display much lower catalytic efficiencies. Obviously, the esters of aromatic carboxylic acids, including polyethylene terephthalate waste, pose an environmental challenge. In this review, we highlight the uniqueness of aromatic carboxylesters and then underscore the importance of relevant carboxylesterases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Venkatesh M Ghodke
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai, India
| | - Narayan S Punekar
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai, India
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