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Plastics embedded with enzymes degrade readily in the sea
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Researchers tested compostable plastics containing enzymes that break down ester bonds, placing them in marine settings ranging from coastal seawater to the deep sea. The plastics broke down fully and quickly, even in locations with few microbes present.
Embedding enzymes that break down ester bonds into compostable polyesters enables rapid and complete biodegradation even in microbe-scarce environments. This method is effective in marine sites ranging from coastal sea water to the deep sea, and could therefore contribute towards solving the global plastic pollution problem. Polyesters containing ester-bond-breaking enzymes could help to reduce plastic pollution in marine environments.
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Enzyme-embedded polyesters for accelerated biodegradation in the deep sea.
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Researchers embedded enzymes into compostable plastics and tested them in coastal seawater and deep-sea locations down to 5,503 meters. The enzyme-embedded plastics broke down much faster than regular versions, reaching near-complete degradation at 757 meters within 5 months, while keeping similar strength to plastics without enzymes.
Rapid Evolution of Plastic-degrading Enzymes Prevalent in the Global Ocean
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Researchers found that plastic-degrading enzymes are rapidly evolving and are prevalent across global ocean environments, suggesting marine microbial communities are adapting to widespread plastic pollution. This points to natural enzymatic degradation as a potentially important but slow mechanism for processing ocean plastics.
Microbial biofilm composition and polymer degradation of compostable and non-compostable plastics immersed in the marine environment
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Researchers submerged compostable (PBAT, PLA) and conventional plastics in the Mediterranean Sea for 82 days and found no significant bacterial degradation of any polymer, though enrichment cultures specifically grew Marinomonas bacteria on PBAT with a 12% weight loss, suggesting marine biodegradation of compostable plastics is far slower than in industrial composting conditions.
Near-complete depolymerization of polyesters with nano-dispersed enzymes
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Researchers developed a method to embed tiny enzyme particles inside biodegradable plastics, enabling the plastics to break down almost completely in ordinary compost and tap water within days. This approach achieved up to 98% conversion of the plastic back to small molecules, avoiding the creation of microplastic fragments that occur with conventional degradation. The technology could help solve the microplastic pollution problem by ensuring that biodegradable plastics actually decompose fully rather than fragmenting into harmful microplastic particles.
Embedding an esterase mimic inside polyesters to realize rapid and complete degradation without compromising their utility
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Researchers developed an innovative approach to accelerating plastic degradation by embedding a molecular mimic of the enzyme esterase directly inside a biodegradable polyester material. This allowed the plastic to break down rapidly and completely during composting without compromising its performance during normal use. The study presents a practical strategy for managing post-consumer biodegradable plastics and improving composting efficiency.
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