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Multi copper oxidase from Micrococcus sp. IITD107, a promising candidate for polypropylene biodegradation
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A novel multi-copper oxidase enzyme from Micrococcus sp. IITD107 achieved approximately 16% degradation of untreated commercial polypropylene strips within 24 hours at 60°C, confirmed by FTIR and SEM showing surface modification and breakdown into alkanes and aldehydes. This is the first report of enzymatic polypropylene degradation without pretreatment, representing a significant advance for bioremediation of one of the most abundant and persistent microplastic polymers in the environment.
Polypropylene (PP) is the second most abundantly used synthetic plastic which poses challenges in degradation due to its structural stability. There are limited reports on enzymatic biodegradation of PP. Here, we report degradation of commercial PP strips without any pre-treatment by a novel multi copper oxidase (MCO) from Micrococcus sp. IITD107. The molecular docking and simulation analysis revealed strong binding of MCO with PP. The purified enzyme and the whole cell lysate from recombinant E. coli expressing MCO, exhibited around 16% and 6.8% decrease (w/w), respectively in PP within 24 h at 60 ˚C. Changes in the functional groups and surface modification of PP were observed by FTIR, NMR and SEM. The biodegradation by-products identified were alkanes, aldehydes, ketones and a few carboxylic acids. This is the first report demonstrating the biodegradation of PP by MCO without any pre-treatment, suggesting this to have a significant role for PP degradation.
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Discovery of a polyethylene biodegradable laccase from Acinetobacter dijkshoorniae
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Researchers identified a novel laccase enzyme from Acinetobacter bacteria that is capable of breaking down polyethylene, one of the most widely used and persistent plastics. The enzyme demonstrates measurable biodegradation activity under laboratory conditions, offering a potential biological pathway for plastic waste remediation. This discovery adds to a growing toolkit of microbial enzymes being explored for enzymatic plastic recycling.
Heterologous expression and characterization of Rhodococcus opacus R7 laccase-like multicopper oxidase (LMCO1) enzyme for polyethylene biodegradation
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Researchers heterologously expressed a laccase-like multicopper oxidase enzyme from Rhodococcus opacus R7 and characterized its capacity for oxidative degradation of polyethylene, exploring a biological route to breaking down one of the most common and persistent plastic polymers.
Investigation of the Biodegradability of Bio-Plastics Based on Polypropylene and Starch
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Indigenous Bacillus sp. achieved 4.73% weight reduction in pure polypropylene and 7.1% in starch-polypropylene bioplastic over 150 days, with FTIR and TGA analyses confirming surface oxidation and starch component degradation. These results demonstrate that native soil bacteria can partially degrade both conventional and bio-based plastics, offering a low-cost bioremediation approach relevant to reducing the microplastic burden from persistent plastic waste in contaminated environments.
Recent developments in microbial degradation of polypropylene: Integrated approaches towards a sustainable environment
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This review covers recent advances in microbial degradation of polypropylene, summarizing bacterial strains, enzyme systems, and environmental conditions that facilitate breakdown of this highly persistent polymer. The authors discuss integrated biotechnological approaches combining physical pretreatment with microbial activity as a pathway toward more effective polypropylene biodegradation.
Bioprospecting indigenous bacteria from landfill leachate for enhanced polypropylene microplastics degradation
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Researchers isolated bacteria from landfill leachate to test their ability to degrade polypropylene microplastics. They identified a novel Staphylococcus haemolyticus strain that reduced polypropylene dry weight by over 25% in 30 days, with surface and chemical analysis confirming structural degradation through hydrolysis and oxidation.
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