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Papers
20 resultsShowing papers similar to Embedding an esterase mimic inside polyesters to realize rapid and complete degradation without compromising their utility
ClearEnhancing environmmental biodegradation of polyesters
Researchers investigated strategies to enhance the environmental biodegradation of polyester-based packaging polymers, proposing two pathways: a smart material design concept that incorporates degradation-facilitating additives, and an enzymatic approach using engineered polyesterases. The work addresses the practical challenge that biodegradable polyesters degrade too slowly under real environmental conditions, generating persistent microplastic fragments, and aims to close this gap between certified biodegradability and actual environmental breakdown.
Near-complete depolymerization of polyesters with nano-dispersed enzymes
Researchers developed a method to embed tiny enzyme particles inside biodegradable plastics, enabling the plastics to break down almost completely in ordinary compost and tap water within days. This approach achieved up to 98% conversion of the plastic back to small molecules, avoiding the creation of microplastic fragments that occur with conventional degradation. The technology could help solve the microplastic pollution problem by ensuring that biodegradable plastics actually decompose fully rather than fragmenting into harmful microplastic particles.
Thermal Embedding of Humicola insolens Cutinase: A Strategy for Improving Polyester Biodegradation in Seawater
Researchers embedded a commercially available enzyme into biodegradable polyester films to accelerate their breakdown in seawater. The study found that these enzyme-embedded films achieved biodegradability equal to or greater than cellulose standards in natural seawater, while maintaining their original physical properties. This approach suggests a practical strategy for reducing the contribution of slow-degrading biodegradable plastics to marine microplastic pollution.
Enhancing environmmental biodegradation of polyesters
Researchers investigated two pathways for enhancing the environmental biodegradation of polyester-based packaging polymers: a smart additive-based material design concept and an engineered enzymatic degradation approach using optimised polyesterases. The work addresses the gap between the theoretical biodegradability of polyesters like PLA and PBAT and their actual slow degradation in natural environments, which leads to persistent microplastic generation during the end-of-life phase.
Synergistic Enzyme Mixtures to Realize Near‐Complete Depolymerization in Biodegradable Polymer/Additive Blends
Researchers developed synergistic enzyme mixtures capable of achieving near-complete depolymerization of biodegradable polyester blends containing additives, demonstrating that nanoscopically embedded enzymes can be programmed for processive chain-end depolymerization with degradation rates dependent on polymer morphology.
Plastics with embedded particles decompose in days instead of years
Researchers developed a novel 'self-digesting' plastic by embedding plastic-eating enzymes inside the polymer during manufacturing, allowing it to degrade within days under industrial composting conditions rather than years. This approach could help solve the microplastic problem by making plastic biodegradation faster and more complete.
RNA-inspired intramolecular transesterification accelerates the hydrolysis of polyethylene-like polyphosphoesters
Researchers synthesized new biodegradable plastic alternatives inspired by RNA chemistry, creating polyethylene-like materials that degrade much faster through a self-accelerating hydrolysis reaction. Developing truly degradable replacements for conventional polyethylene could help reduce long-lived microplastic accumulation in the environment.
pH-Stat Titration: A Rapid Assay for Enzymatic Degradability of Bio-Based Polymers
Researchers developed a rapid pH-based test for measuring how quickly enzymes can degrade different biodegradable polymers, enabling faster comparison of bioplastic degradability. Developing reliably biodegradable plastics is key to preventing the accumulation of microplastics from packaging and consumer products.
Nature-Inspired Strategies for Sustainable Degradation of Synthetic Plastics
This review examines nature-inspired biological strategies for breaking down synthetic plastics, including enzyme engineering and microbial approaches. The study suggests that mimicking natural degradation processes could overcome the chemical and physical barriers that make plastics resistant to breakdown, offering a path toward more sustainable plastic waste management.
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.
Nanoplastics and microplastics released from an enzyme-embedded biodegradable polyester during hydrolysis
Researchers studied the release of micro- and nanoplastics from a biodegradable polyester (polycaprolactone) embedded with an enzyme designed to accelerate its breakdown. They found that the embedded enzyme dramatically sped up hydrolysis but also produced significantly more microplastic and nanoplastic particles compared to external enzyme treatment. The study raises important questions about whether enzyme-embedded biodegradable plastics might actually increase micro- and nanoplastic pollution during their degradation.
Enzymatic Degradation of PET plastic
This study tested commercial-grade enzymes for degrading PET plastic and found that enzymatic degradation was effective at laboratory scale but faced challenges for real-world application. Scaling up enzymatic PET recycling could reduce the persistence of plastic waste that eventually fragments into microplastics in the environment.
Acceleration of Biodegradation Using Polymer Blends and Composites
This review examines how blending biodegradable polymers with other materials can tune both physical properties and biodegradation rates, noting that many biodegradable plastics degrade far more slowly than claimed. The authors stress that biodegradation claims require rigorous validation under realistic environmental conditions.
Current Knowledge on Polyethylene Terephthalate Degradation by Genetically Modified Microorganisms
This review covers genetically modified microorganisms engineered to degrade polyethylene terephthalate, examining how bioengineering of enzymes such as PETase and enhanced expression systems can overcome the low biodegradation rates of wild-type microorganisms toward this ubiquitous plastic.
Characterization and engineering of a plastic-degrading aromatic polyesterase
Researchers characterized and engineered an aromatic polyesterase enzyme capable of degrading plastic polymers, improving its activity through protein engineering and demonstrating its potential as a tool for biodegradation-based plastic cleanup.
Polyester biodegradability: importance and potential for optimisation
This review discusses how biodegradable polyester plastics could replace fossil-fuel-based plastics, helping reduce the buildup of persistent plastic waste in the environment. The researchers explain that biodegradability varies greatly depending on conditions like temperature and environment, and even biodegradable plastics may not break down in all settings. While developing better biodegradable materials could reduce long-term microplastic pollution, the study cautions that these plastics are not a complete solution since they may still fragment into microplastics before fully degrading.
Marine PET Hydrolase (PET2): Assessment of Terephthalate- and Indole-Based Polyesters Depolymerization
Researchers characterized a marine enzyme (PET2) capable of breaking down PET plastic and related polyester materials under relatively mild conditions. Discovering and engineering enzymes that can degrade PET could help address the massive accumulation of PET microplastics in ocean environments.
Composting-based degradation of poly (ethylene terephthalate) microplastics and its enhancement with exogenous PET hydrolase supplementation
Researchers tested whether PET microplastic degradation could be enhanced during high-temperature composting by adding exogenous thermophilic PET hydrolase enzyme, finding that after 20 days, PET weight was reduced by 21.1% without enzyme and 32.8% with enzyme addition. Enzyme-enhanced composting offers a promising approach for degrading PET microplastics in solid waste treatment.
Emerging Technologies for Converting Mixed Plastic Waste into Biodegradable Polymers
Scientists are developing new ways to turn mixed plastic waste (like food containers and shopping bags) into biodegradable materials that naturally break down instead of polluting the environment. This research review summarizes promising techniques that could help reduce the microplastics that end up in our food and water. If these methods can be made affordable and used widely, they could significantly cut plastic pollution and the health risks it poses to humans.
Enhanced Biodegradation Rate of Poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) Composites Using Reed Fiber
Researchers blended reed plant fibers with a biodegradable plastic called PBAT to create a composite material that breaks down faster in the environment. They tested the composite with four different enzymes and found that adding reed fiber significantly accelerated degradation rates. The study suggests that incorporating natural plant fibers into biodegradable plastics could help reduce the persistence of plastic waste.