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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Acceleration a yeast-based biodegradation process of polyethylene terephthalate microplastics by Tween 20: Efficiency, by-product analysis, and metabolic pathway Prediction
ClearImprovement of biodegradation of PET microplastics with whole-cell biocatalyst by interface activation reinforcement
Researchers developed a whole-cell biocatalysis strategy using alkali-resistant bacteria combined with surfactant-mediated interfacial activation to improve the biodegradation of PET microplastics, finding that Tween 20 most effectively enhanced the bio-interfacial activity between bacterial enzymes and the hydrophobic PET surface, leading to improved hydrolysis rates.
Development of a yeast whole-cell biocatalyst for MHET conversion into terephthalic acid and ethylene glycol
Researchers engineered baker's yeast to display plastic-degrading enzymes on its cell surface, demonstrating a simpler and potentially cheaper approach to breaking down PET plastic — the material used in bottles — without requiring the costly step of purifying the enzymes first.
The proliferation and colonization of functional bacteria on amorphous polyethylene terephthalate: Key role of ultraviolet irradiation and nonionic surfactant polysorbate 80 addition
Researchers showed for the first time that UV irradiation and the surfactant Tween-80 act synergistically to promote bacterial colonization of amorphous PET plastic: UV creates surface attachment sites while Tween-80 boosts bacterial proliferation and surface hydrophobicity, together setting the stage for subsequent biodegradation.
Biodegradation of highly crystallized poly(ethylene terephthalate) through cell surface codisplay of bacterial PETase and hydrophobin
Researchers engineered yeast cells to display both a PET-degrading enzyme (PETase) and a sticky protein (hydrophobin) on their surface simultaneously, dramatically improving the breakdown of highly crystalline PET plastic — achieving a 329-fold increase in degradation rate compared to the purified enzyme alone. This whole-cell biocatalyst approach could make enzymatic plastic recycling far more practical and efficient.
Microbial biodegradation of polyethylene terephthalate microplastics by an indigenous Candida tropicalis strain and biocompatibility evaluation of microplastics-degraded metabolites in GIFT Tilapia
Researchers isolated an indigenous Candida tropicalis yeast strain and demonstrated its ability to degrade PET microplastics in batch experiments, measuring degradation through optical density, weight loss, and biofilm formation — and confirming that metabolic byproducts were not toxic to tilapia.
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.
Biodegradation of Poly(Ethylene Terephthalate) Microplastics by Baceterial Communities From Activated Sludge
Scientists isolated bacteria from wastewater treatment sludge that can biodegrade PET plastic, used in plastic bottles and food packaging. The bacteria broke down PET microplastics over a 60-day period, pointing toward a potential biological tool for removing plastic contamination from water treatment systems.
Biodegradation of Poly(Ethylene Terephthalate) Microplastics by Baceterial Communities From Activated Sludge
Scientists isolated bacteria from wastewater treatment sludge that can biodegrade PET plastic, used in plastic bottles and food packaging. The bacteria broke down PET microplastics over a 60-day period, pointing toward a potential biological tool for removing plastic contamination from water treatment systems.
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.
Construction of an MRCUT1 Cutinase-Expressing Saccharomyces boulardii Probiotic Yeast Strain Capable of Degrading Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) Microplastics
Researchers genetically engineered Saccharomyces boulardii probiotic yeast to secrete the cutinase enzyme MRCUT1 and tested its ability to degrade PET microplastics in vitro. Significant PET weight reductions were observed within the first week of incubation, demonstrating proof-of-concept for a probiotic-based approach to gut-level PET microplastic degradation.
Sustainable solution for microplastic removal: Sequential biodegradation and detoxification of polyethylene terephthalate microplastics by two natural microbial consortia
Researchers developed a two-stage approach using natural microbial communities to break down PET microplastics and neutralize their toxic byproducts. The first bacterial-fungal group achieved 28% degradation over 60 days, while a second group of bacteria further processed the breakdown products, reducing their toxicity. The study demonstrates that sequential microbial treatment could be a practical, eco-friendly strategy for addressing PET microplastic pollution.
Use of Saccharomyces cerevisiae as new technique to remove polystyrene from aqueous medium: modeling, optimization, and performance
Researchers tested whether common baker's yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) could remove polystyrene microplastics from water, achieving up to 95% removal under optimized conditions. The yeast works as a natural clumping agent that binds to microplastic particles and helps them settle out of the water. This low-cost, non-toxic approach could offer a practical biological method for cleaning microplastics from contaminated water.
Interfacial engineering-based colonization of biofilms on polyethylene terephthalate (PET) surfaces: Implications for whole-cell biodegradation of microplastics
This study applied interfacial engineering to promote biofilm colonization on polyethylene terephthalate (PET) surfaces to facilitate enzymatic depolymerization under mild conditions. The engineered biofilm approach enabled efficient PET biodegradation without requiring harsh alkaline conditions or high temperatures, advancing practical plastic bioremediation.
Eco-microbiology: discovering biochemical enhancers of PET biodegradation by Piscinibacter sakaiensis
Researchers are working to accelerate the biodegradation of PET plastic by Piscinibacter sakaiensis, a bacterium that naturally evolved to consume this common type of plastic. Using bioactivity screens and degradation tests, they identified a small number of biochemical conditions that more than doubled the PET biodegradation rate. The work provides a foundation for developing a fermentation process that could help address PET plastic pollution at scale.
Microbial Degradation of Plastics and Approaches to Make it More Efficient
This review examines microbial degradation of plastics by bacteria and fungi, focusing on polyethylene, polystyrene, and PET, and discusses methods to make biodegradation more efficient as a potential solution to plastic pollution.
Modulating biofilm can potentiate activity of novel plastic-degrading enzymes
Researchers discovered two new enzymes capable of breaking down PET plastic (the kind used in plastic bottles) and found that boosting a bacterium's ability to form a biofilm — a sticky coating that helps bacteria cling to surfaces — significantly increased how fast the enzymes could degrade plastic. This biofilm strategy could help accelerate the development of biological plastic-recycling systems for waste that would otherwise end up in landfills.
Structural decay of poly(ethylene terephthalate) by enzymatic degradation
Researchers examined the structural decay of poly(ethylene terephthalate) through enzymatic degradation as a sustainable recycling strategy, finding this approach requires neither energy nor harsh solvents, offering a promising path for addressing microplastic pollution from PET products.
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 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.
Polyethylene degradation and assimilation by the marine yeast Rhodotorula mucilaginosa
Researchers discovered that the marine yeast Rhodotorula mucilaginosa can degrade and assimilate polyethylene, reducing plastic mass, altering surface chemistry, and incorporating plastic-derived carbon into cellular lipids, suggesting a biological pathway for ocean plastic breakdown.
Microbial Degradation of (Micro)plastics: Mechanisms, Enhancements, and Future Directions
This review examines how microorganisms can break down microplastics using enzymes like PETase and laccases, offering a more environmentally friendly alternative to other cleanup methods. While microbial degradation holds promise for reducing microplastic pollution and its associated health risks, current efficiency is too low for large-scale application and needs further improvement.
Bioprospecting for polyesterase activity relevant for PET degradation in marine Enterobacterales isolates
Researchers screened marine Enterobacterales isolates for polyesterase activity capable of degrading PET plastic, identifying bacterial strains from marine environments as candidates for bioremediation strategies targeting one of the world's most problematic plastic pollutants.
A review on microbial bioremediation of polyethylene terephthalate microplastics
This review focuses on microbial biodegradation of PET microplastics — the plastic used in bottles and synthetic textiles — detailing the specific enzymes (PETase and MHETase) that bacteria use to break the polymer down into its chemical building blocks. Biological degradation offers a lower-energy, more environmentally gentle alternative to chemical recycling or landfill, and understanding the microbial mechanisms involved is key to developing scalable bioremediation solutions for one of the most pervasive microplastic types.
Whether the wobbling W156 is a pre-requisite for efficient PET biodegradation by IsPETase
Researchers engineered a thermostable variant of the PET-degrading enzyme IsPETase that achieves over 100-fold improvement in PET breakdown efficiency. More effective PET-degrading enzymes could enable industrial-scale recycling of PET plastic, reducing the amount of this common polymer that fragments into microplastics in the ocean.