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Protein Engineering of Enzymes Involved in Bioplastic Metabolism
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This review discusses protein engineering of enzymes that metabolize bioplastics (polyhydroxyalkanoates) as part of developing sustainable alternatives to petroleum-based plastics. Improving enzymatic breakdown of bioplastics is critical for reducing the long-term environmental accumulation of plastic particles including microplastics.
The last half century has witnessed the development of synthetic plastics from petroleum resources, and more than 300 million tons of synthetic plastics are annually produced at present. The recently increased consumption of petroleum resources has led to environmental prob‐ lems such as a depletion of the resources as well as a global warming due to a marked increase of atmospheric CO2 level. In addition to these problems, wasted plastics used in short-term applications may cause the environmental damage to a wide variety of wild animals includ‐ ing terrestrial, aquatic animals and birds. Furthermore, it has been suggested that even the wasted plastics in the form of small particles potentially induce the alteration of pelagic ecosystems [1]. Therefore, the development of environmentally sound alternatives, such as bioplastics, to conventional petroleum-based plastics is urgently desired to sustain the environment [2-4].
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Recent trends in microbial and enzymatic plastic degradation: a solution for plastic pollution predicaments
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This review covers recent advances in using microorganisms and their enzymes to break down plastics including polyethylene, PVC, polystyrene, and PET, with techniques like protein engineering being used to boost enzyme efficiency. Microbial degradation offers a sustainable approach to reducing the persistent plastic pollution that generates the microplastics found throughout the environment and human body.
Microbial plastic degradation: enzymes, pathways, challenges, and perspectives.
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This review synthesizes current knowledge on microbial plastic degradation, covering the enzymes and metabolic pathways involved in breaking down major synthetic polymers, the challenges limiting efficient biodegradation, and perspectives for engineering improved microbial solutions to plastic waste.
Bioplastic Degradation, Production and Genetic Improvements of Bioplastic Producing Strains: A review
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This review summarizes research on bioplastic degradation by bacteria that can break down these materials, and examines genetic improvements that could enhance their biodegradability. As bioplastics grow in use, understanding their true environmental fate is critical to ensuring they deliver real sustainability benefits.
Engineering Plastic Eating Enzymes Using Structural Biology
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This review examines how structural biology approaches are being used to engineer plastic-degrading enzymes with improved efficiency and industrial scalability. Understanding the molecular interactions between enzymes and plastic substrates at an atomic level is guiding the design of more effective biocatalysts for plastic biodegradation.
An Overview into Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) Hydrolases and Efforts in Tailoring Enzymes for Improved Plastic Degradation
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This review examines the discovery and engineering of PET-degrading enzymes including PETase and cutinase variants, discussing protein engineering strategies to improve catalytic efficiency and thermostability for practical biodegradation of polyethylene terephthalate plastic waste.
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When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.