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Biodegradation of PET: Current Status and Application Aspects
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This review covered the current status of PET biodegradation, focusing on the discovery and mechanism of PET hydrolytic enzymes from Ideonella sakaiensis and the pathway from enzyme identification to potential bioremediation application. The authors assess progress toward commercializing enzymatic PET degradation and identify remaining technical barriers for large-scale plastic waste management.
Most petroleum-derived plastics, as exemplified by poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET), are chemically inactive and highly resistant to microbial attack. The accumulation of plastic waste results in environmental pollution and threatens ecosystems, referred to as the “microplastic issue”. Recently, PET hydrolytic enzymes (PHEs) have been identified and we reported PET degradation by a microbial consortium and its bacterial resident, Ideonella sakaiensis. Bioremediation may thus provide an alternative solution to recycling plastic waste. The mechanism of PET degradation into benign monomers by PET hydrolase and mono(2-hydroxyethyl) terephthalic acid (MHET) hydrolase from I. sakaiensis has been elucidated; nevertheless, biodegradation may require additional development for commercialization owing to the low catalytic activity of these enzymes. Here, we introduce PET degrading microorganisms and the enzymes involved, along with the evolution of PHEs to address the issues that hamper microbial and enzymatic PET degradation. Potential applications of PET degradation are also discussed.
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Explorations of Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) Hydrolase for addressing PET Plastic Pollution
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This review explores the biology of PETase enzymes and their potential for addressing PET plastic pollution, covering the discovery of Ideonella sakaiensis and subsequent enzyme engineering efforts. Developing efficient PET-degrading enzymes is a promising biotechnological strategy for reducing plastic pollution at scale.
A mini-review on the role of PETase in polyethylene terephthalate degradation
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This mini-review summarized the structure, performance enhancement approaches, and potential applications of PETase, the enzyme from Ideonella sakaiensis discovered in 2016 that uses PET plastic as a carbon source, alongside MHETase for complete degradation into terephthalic acid and ethylene glycol. The review highlighted progress in enzyme engineering for improved PETase activity and discussed applications in bioremediation and recycling, identifying it as a key candidate for addressing the global plastic waste problem through biological degradation.
Perspectives on the Role of Enzymatic Biocatalysis for the Degradation of Plastic PET
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This review discusses the role of enzymatic biocatalysis in PET plastic degradation, examining how the discovery of PETase and subsequent enzyme engineering have advanced biodegradation as an alternative to chemical and mechanical recycling for one of the most produced plastics globally.
Insight on recently discovered PET polyester-degrading enzymes, thermostability and activity analyses
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Researchers reviewed the enzymatic machinery of Ideonella sakaiensis and related microorganisms for PET degradation, detailing how PETase and MHETase cooperatively hydrolyze the polymer to terephthalic acid and ethylene glycol at moderate temperatures — and assessing the thermostability and pH tolerances that determine these enzymes' industrial potential.
Current knowledge on enzymatic PET degradation and its possible application to waste stream management and other fields
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This review distinguished between enzymatic PET surface modification (useful for fiber treatment) and enzymatic PET degradation (needed for waste management), cataloguing the hydrolases capable of each function and the conditions required. The authors evaluate the prospects for deploying PET-degrading enzymes in industrial plastic waste streams.
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