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Identification of a PET hydrolytic enzyme from the human gut microbiome unveils potential plastic biodegradation in human digestive tract
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Researchers discovered a new enzyme in the human gut microbiome that can break down PET plastic, the material used in most drink bottles and food packaging. The enzyme, called HGMP01, was identified through analysis of gut bacterial DNA and confirmed to hydrolyze PET nanoparticles in laboratory tests. The finding suggests that gut bacteria may play an unexpected role in processing the microplastics that humans inevitably ingest through food and beverages.
Widespread use of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastics and their recycling challenges have led to substantial accumulation of PET wastes in global environments, with inevitable consequences for their entry into the food chains. Recent studies have increasingly documented the ingestion of microplastics by humans through food and beverages. However, the fate of these microplastics within the gastrointestinal tract, particularly the role of the human gut microbiota, remains inadequately understood. To address this knowledge gap, we employed a bioinformatics workflow integrated with functional verification to investigate the PET digestion/degradation capabilities of intestinal microorganisms. This approach identified a novel PET hydrolase-HGMP01 from the human gut metagenome, which exhibits the capacity to hydrolyze PET nanoparticles. Moreover, comprehensive exploration for HGMP01 homologues in the human gut metagenome and metatranscriptome unveil their distribution in diverse intestinal microorganisms. This study provides biochemical evidence for an unforeseen role of human gut microbiome in plastic digestion, thus holding substantial implications for human health.
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Polyethylene Terephthalate Hydrolases in Human Gut Microbiota and Their Implications for Human Health
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Researchers searched the genomes of healthy human gut bacteria and discovered enzymes capable of breaking down PET, one of the most common plastics found in food and drink packaging. They identified multiple bacterial species in the human gut that produce these PET-degrading enzymes. This discovery suggests that gut microbes may play a role in processing the microplastics people swallow, though it also raises questions about whether the breakdown products could affect human health.
PET Microplastics Affect Human Gut Microbiota Communities During Simulated Gastrointestinal Digestion. First Evidence of Plausible Polymer Biodegradation During Human Digestion
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Researchers simulated gastrointestinal digestion and found that PET microplastics altered human gut microbiota community composition, and provided first evidence of plausible partial polymer biodegradation during passage through the human digestive tract.
PET microplastics affect human gut microbiota communities during simulated gastrointestinal digestion, first evidence of plausible polymer biodegradation during human digestion
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Using a simulated human digestive system, researchers tracked what happens to PET microplastics as they pass through the stomach and intestines. The microplastics were structurally changed during digestion and appeared to alter the composition of gut bacteria, with some microbes forming biofilms on the plastic surfaces. This is the first evidence that microplastics may be partially broken down during human digestion and could disrupt the gut microbiome, which plays a critical role in overall health.
A New PETase from the Human Saliva Metagenome and Its Functional Modification via Genetic Code Expansion in Bacteria
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Researchers discovered and engineered a new PETase enzyme from human saliva metagenome data, demonstrating its ability to break down PET plastic. Functional modifications improved its catalytic efficiency, contributing to the development of biological tools for plastic recycling.
Enzymatic Biodegradation of PET Plastics
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Plastic bottles and containers (made of PET) don't break down naturally—they just crumble into tiny microplastic pieces that end up in our food, water, and eventually our bodies. This review paper explains how scientists are studying special bacterial enzymes (called PETase and MHETase) that can actually digest PET plastic into harmless building blocks, offering a promising tool for cleaning up plastic pollution before it becomes a bigger health problem.
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