We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Development and characterization of a bacterial enzyme cascade reaction system for efficient and stable PET degradation
Summary
Scientists engineered a bacterial system that displays plastic-degrading enzymes on the cell surface to efficiently break down PET plastic, achieving a 23% degradation rate of microplastics within 7 days. The system uses E. coli bacteria with specially designed protein fibers that both grip and digest PET fragments. This biotechnology approach could eventually help address the growing problem of microplastic pollution in water and soil environments.
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.
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
Enzymatic Degradation of Polyethylene Terephthalate Plastics by Bacterial Curli Display PETase
Researchers engineered bacteria to display a PET-degrading enzyme on their surface, creating a reusable biocatalyst capable of breaking down polyethylene terephthalate plastics. The system worked under various conditions, remained stable for at least 30 days, and could even degrade PET microplastics in wastewater and highly crystalline consumer plastic waste. This biological approach offers a promising environmentally friendly alternative for plastic recycling and waste treatment.
Degradation of PET plastic with engineered environmental bacteria
Scientists engineered a soil bacterium to break down PET plastic, one of the most common plastics in food packaging and textiles, by giving it the ability to produce and secrete a powerful plastic-degrading enzyme. This is one of the first demonstrations of a living microorganism that can directly consume PET as a food source, which could lead to more sustainable recycling approaches.
Targeted aggregation of PETase towards surface of Stenotrophomonas pavanii for degradation of PET microplastics
Researchers developed a strategy to target PETase enzyme to the surface of Stenotrophomonas pavanii bacteria, improving the efficiency of in-situ PET microplastic degradation. Surface-displayed PETase showed significantly enhanced PET hydrolysis compared to free enzyme, offering a practical approach to microbial degradation of dispersed PET microplastics in environmental settings.
Degradation of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastics by wastewater bacteria engineered via conjugation
Scientists engineered wastewater bacteria to break down PET plastic, one of the most common microplastic types, by transferring plastic-degrading genes through a natural DNA-sharing process. The modified bacteria could partially degrade a consumer PET product in 5 to 7 days. This proof-of-concept approach could help reduce the amount of microplastics released from wastewater treatment plants into the environment.
Enhanced degradation of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) microplastics by an engineered Stenotrophomonas pavanii in the presence of biofilm
Scientists engineered a biofilm-forming bacterium to break down PET microplastics (the type found in water bottles and food containers) at room temperature. The engineered bacteria achieved significant PET degradation over 30 days and also worked on other polyester plastics, offering a potential biological solution for cleaning up microplastic pollution in water environments.