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Papers
20 resultsShowing papers similar to Identification of Cutinolytic Esterase from Microplastic-Associated Microbiota Using Functional Metagenomics and Its Plastic Degrading Potential
ClearA review on cutinases enzyme in degradation of microplastics
This review examines the role of cutinase enzymes produced by bacteria and fungi in degrading various types of microplastics and plastic films. The study suggests that while enzymatic biodegradation shows promise as a remediation strategy, the diversity of microplastic types and their associated contaminants present significant challenges for effective environmental cleanup.
Shotgun Metagenomic insights into the Plastisphere microbiome: Unveiling potential for clinical and industrial enzymes production along with plastic degradation
Researchers used shotgun metagenomic sequencing to analyze microbial communities (plastisphere) colonizing plastic debris in soil and aquatic environments, finding that 54% of bacteria had plastic-degrading potential and that the plastisphere also harbored clinically relevant and industrially useful enzymes. The findings suggest the plastisphere is a reservoir of both plastic-degrading and biotechnologically valuable microorganisms.
Discovering untapped microbial communities through metagenomics for microplastic remediation: recent advances, challenges, and way forward
This review explores how metagenomic approaches are uncovering microbial communities capable of degrading microplastics in various environments. Researchers found that diverse bacteria and fungi in soil, water, and waste systems produce enzymes that can break down plastic polymers, though degradation rates remain slow. The study highlights metagenomics as a powerful tool for discovering new biological solutions to microplastic pollution.
Identification of BgP, a Cutinase-Like Polyesterase From a Deep-Sea Sponge-Derived Actinobacterium
Researchers identified BgP, a cutinase-like polyesterase enzyme from a deep-sea sponge-derived actinobacterium, which can hydrolyze synthetic polyesters including PET plastic, highlighting marine bacteria as a promising source of plastic-degrading enzymes.
Discovery and Biochemical Characterization of a Novel Polyesterase for the Degradation of Synthetic Plastics
Researchers used bioinformatics to discover a new enzyme from soil bacteria capable of breaking down synthetic plastics like PET and polyurethane. The enzyme was successfully expressed and characterized in the lab, offering a promising lead for developing biological plastic recycling approaches.
A New PETase from the Human Saliva Metagenome and Its Functional Modification via Genetic Code Expansion in Bacteria
Researchers discovered and engineered a new PETase enzyme from human saliva metagenome data, demonstrating its ability to break down PET plastic. Functional modifications improved its catalytic efficiency, contributing to the development of biological tools for plastic recycling.
Review of microplastic degradation: Understanding metagenomic approaches for microplastic degrading organisms
This review explores how metagenomics, the study of genetic material from environmental samples, is helping scientists identify microorganisms that can break down plastics. The paper covers the methods used to find and characterize plastic-degrading bacteria, as well as the environmental consequences of plastic degradation including health risks from inhaling and ingesting microplastics. While biological solutions to plastic pollution show promise, the review notes that more research is needed to develop effective, scalable approaches.
Microbial Polyethylene Terephthalate Hydrolases: Current and Future Perspectives
This review surveys microbial enzymes capable of breaking down PET plastic, focusing on the structure and function of key hydrolases like PETase and cutinases. Researchers found that while several enzymes show promising PET-degrading activity, most work slowly and under limited temperature conditions, with engineered variants showing improved performance. The study highlights both the potential and the current limitations of using biological approaches for plastic waste management.
An archaeal lid-containing feruloyl-esterase degrades polyethylene terephthalate (PET)
This study identified the first archaeal enzyme capable of degrading PET plastic, characterizing its structure and biochemical properties. Expanding the diversity of organisms with PET-degrading enzymes could accelerate the development of biological strategies for breaking down the microplastics contaminating marine and terrestrial environments.
Exploring untapped bacterial communities and potential polypropylene-degrading enzymes from mangrove sediment through metagenomics analysis
Researchers used metagenomics analysis to explore bacterial communities in mangrove sediments that may be capable of breaking down polypropylene plastic. The study compared microbial communities exposed to virgin and chemically pretreated polypropylene over several months. Evidence indicates that certain bacterial taxa in mangrove environments possess enzymes with potential polypropylene-degrading activity, suggesting possible biological pathways for plastic waste remediation.
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.
Microplastic biofilms as potential hotspots for plastic biodegradation and nitrogen cycling: a metagenomic perspective
Researchers used genetic analysis to study the microbial communities that form biofilms on different types of microplastics in an estuarine environment. They found that these plastic-associated communities contained genes for both plastic degradation and nitrogen cycling, suggesting the biofilms may play dual roles in the ecosystem. The study indicates that microplastic surfaces in waterways create unique microbial habitats that could influence both pollution breakdown and nutrient processing.
Screening putative polyester polyurethane degrading enzymes with semi-automated cell-free expression and nitrophenyl probes
Researchers used a rapid lab technique called cell-free expression to screen enzymes that might break down polyester polyurethane plastics, sourcing the enzymes from bacteria found growing on aircraft and vehicle surfaces. They identified 10 enzymes with measurable plastic-degrading activity, though none performed as well as an established plastic-eating enzyme. This work advances the search for biological tools that could help break down microplastic pollution in the environment.
Microbial enzymes for the recycling of recalcitrant petroleum‐based plastics: how far are we?
This review examines the progress in identifying microbial enzymes capable of breaking down petroleum-based plastics like polyethylene, polystyrene, polyurethane, and PET. Researchers highlight recent advances in using polyester-degrading enzymes to recover raw materials from PET waste through biocatalytic recycling. The study discusses the potential and remaining challenges of using biological approaches to address the growing global problem of plastic waste accumulation.
Hydrolytic Degradation of Polyethylene Terephthalate by Cutinase Enzyme Derived from Fungal Biomass–Molecular Characterization
Researchers isolated cutinase and lipase enzymes from Aspergillus tamarii and Penicillium crustosum fungi and demonstrated their ability to catalyze hydrolytic degradation of PET plastic, offering a potential biological route for plastic waste breakdown.
Microbial and Enzymatic Degradation of Plastic Waste in Water
This review surveys microbial and enzymatic pathways for degrading plastic waste in water, cataloging enzymes such as PETases and cutinases along with the microorganisms that produce them. The authors assess current limitations of biological degradation rates and discuss how enzyme engineering and synthetic microbial consortia could accelerate plastic breakdown.
Harnessing extremophilic carboxylesterases for applications in polyester depolymerisation and plastic waste recycling
This paper is not about microplastics; it reviews the use of microbial carboxylesterases (polyesterases) to enzymatically break down synthetic polyesters like PET for plastic recycling, focusing on enzyme engineering for industrial applications.
Microbial plastic degradation: enzymes, pathways, challenges, and perspectives.
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.
Characterization of Newly Discovered Polyester Polyurethane-degrading Methylobacterium Aquaticum Strain A1
Researchers characterized Methylobacterium aquaticum A1, a newly isolated strain capable of adhering to and degrading polyester polyurethane (PE-PUR), confirmed by SEM and FTIR analysis. Genomic analysis identified candidate degradation enzymes including esterases, lipases, proteases, and amidase, and esterase activity assays showed inducible enzymatic activity when the strain was exposed to polyurethane diol, highlighting its potential as a plastic-biodegrading biocatalyst.
Review on plastic wastes in marine environment – Biodegradation and biotechnological solutions
Researchers reviewed plastic biodegradation in the marine environment, cataloguing microbial communities that colonize plastic surfaces and the enzymes they produce, while highlighting biotechnological strategies — including enzyme engineering and biofilm optimization — as necessary complements to physical and chemical approaches for reducing micro- and nanoplastic contamination.