We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Bioengineering Comamonas testosteroni CNB-1: a robust whole-cell biocatalyst for efficient PET microplastic degradation
AI summary Read the abstract
This study engineered Comamonas testosteroni CNB-1 as a whole-cell biocatalyst for degrading PET microplastics in biological wastewater treatment, addressing the accumulation of these particles in sewage sludge. The engineered bacterium demonstrated efficient PET degradation, offering a biotechnological solution to a pressing wastewater treatment challenge.
The escalating crisis of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) microplastic contamination in biological wastewater treatment systems is a pressing environmental concern. These microplastics inevitably accumulate in sewage sludge due to the absence of effective removal technologies. Addressing this urgent issue, this study introduces a novel approach using DuraPETase, a potent enzyme with enhanced PET hydrolytic activity at ambient temperatures. Remarkably, this enzyme was successfully secreted from Comamonas testosteroni CNB-1, a dominant species in the active sludge. The secreted DuraPETase showed significant hydrolytic activity toward p-NPB and PET nanoplastics. Furthermore, the CNB-1 derived whole-cell biocatalyst was able to depolymerize PET microplastics under ambient temperature, achieving a degradation efficiency of 9% within 7 days. The CNB-1-based whole biocatalysts were also capable of utilizing PET degradation intermediates, such as terephthalic acid (TPA) and ethylene glycol (EG), and bis(2-hydroxyethyl)-TPA (BHET), for growth. This indicates that it can completely mineralize PET, as opposed to merely breaking it down into smaller molecules. This research highlights the potential of activated sludge as a potent source for insitu microplastic removal.
More Papers Like This
Mechanisms of Polyethylene Terephthalate Pellet Fragmentation into Nanoplastics and Assimilable Carbons by Wastewater Comamonas
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers discovered how a common wastewater bacterium, Comamonas testosteroni, breaks down PET plastic pellets into nanoplastics and usable carbon. The bacterium fragmented PET pellets through a hydrolysis process, increasing nanoparticle levels 3.5-fold over 30 days, and was able to use the breakdown products for growth. This finding is significant because it shows that bacteria in wastewater can both degrade PET and potentially generate nanoplastics as byproducts.
Biodegradation of Microplastic Derived from Poly(ethylene terephthalate) with Bacterial Whole-Cell Biocatalysts
AI summary Read the abstract
Engineered bacterial whole-cell biocatalysts were used to biodegrade PET microplastics under alkaline conditions, with the strain using PET as a sole carbon source and producing monomers that did not accumulate due to continuous cellular metabolism. The study demonstrates a combined enzymatic-microbial approach that overcomes product inhibition in enzymatic PET degradation.
Degradation of PET Plastics by Wastewater Bacteria Engineered via Conjugation
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers demonstrated a proof-of-concept approach for reducing PET microplastic pollution in wastewater by engineering bacteria in situ via conjugation to express PET-degrading enzymes. The study used a broad-host-range conjugative plasmid to transfer PET hydrolase genes into native wastewater bacterial communities.
Towards Synthetic PETtrophy: Engineering Pseudomonas putida for concurrent polyethylene terephthalate (PET) monomer metabolism and PET hydrolase expression
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers engineered the bacterium Pseudomonas putida to simultaneously break down PET plastic monomers and express a PET hydrolase enzyme, enabling one-step PET degradation and growth. The engineered strain successfully metabolized both TPA and EG monomers released during PET hydrolysis. This work advances the development of microbial biocatalysts for plastic recycling and upcycling.
Biodegradation Potential of Microplastics by Comamonas testosteroni in Wastewater and Sludge
AI summary Read the abstract
This review examines Comamonas testosteroni, a bacterium found in wastewater and soil, as a promising biocatalytic agent capable of degrading microplastics and other complex organic pollutants. Its natural presence in wastewater treatment environments makes it a compelling candidate for biological microplastic remediation in urban water systems.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.