Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine,
Journal Year:
2020,
Volume and Issue:
25(1)
Published: July 14, 2020
Abstract
Plastics
are
extensively
used
in
our
daily
life.
However,
a
significant
amount
of
plastic
waste
is
discharged
to
the
environment
directly
or
via
improper
reuse
recycling.
Degradation
generates
micro-
nano-sized
particles
that
defined
as
nanoplastics
(MNPs).
Microplastics
(MPs)
with
diameter
less
than
5
mm,
while
(NPs)
range
from
1
100
1000
nm.
In
current
review,
we
first
briefly
summarized
environmental
contamination
MNPs
and
then
discussed
their
health
impacts
based
on
existing
MNP
research.
Our
review
indicates
can
be
detected
both
marine
terrestrial
ecosystems
worldwide
ingested
accumulated
by
animals
along
food
chain.
Evidence
has
suggested
harmful
freshwater
animals.
Recent
studies
found
MPs
human
stool
samples,
suggesting
humans
exposed
through
and/or
drinking
water.
effect
scarcely
researched.
addition
themselves,
these
tiny
release
additives
adsorb
other
chemicals,
many
which
have
been
shown
exhibit
endocrine
disrupting
toxic
effects.
summary,
conclude
more
necessary
provide
comprehensive
understanding
pollution
hazards
also
basis
for
subsequent
management
control.
Angewandte Chemie International Edition,
Journal Year:
2020,
Volume and Issue:
60(1), P. 88 - 119
Published: June 18, 2020
Abstract
Biocatalysis
has
found
numerous
applications
in
various
fields
as
an
alternative
to
chemical
catalysis.
The
use
of
enzymes
organic
synthesis,
especially
make
chiral
compounds
for
pharmaceuticals
well
the
flavors
and
fragrance
industry,
are
most
prominent
examples.
In
addition,
biocatalysts
used
on
a
large
scale
specialty
even
bulk
chemicals.
This
review
intends
give
illustrative
examples
this
field
with
special
focus
scalable
production
using
enzymes.
It
also
discusses
opportunities
limitations
enzymatic
syntheses
distinct
provides
outlook
emerging
enzyme
classes.
Science,
Journal Year:
2021,
Volume and Issue:
373(6550), P. 66 - 69
Published: July 1, 2021
Plastics
have
revolutionized
modern
life,
but
created
a
global
waste
crisis
driven
by
our
reliance
and
demand
for
low-cost,
disposable
materials.
New
approaches
are
vital
to
address
challenges
related
plastics
heterogeneity,
along
with
the
property
reductions
induced
mechanical
recycling.
Chemical
recycling
upcycling
of
polymers
may
enable
circularity
through
separation
strategies,
chemistries
that
promote
closed-loop
inherent
macromolecular
design,
transformative
processes
shift
life-cycle
landscape.
Polymer
schemes
lower-energy
pathways
minimal
environmental
impacts
compared
traditional
chemical
The
emergence
industrial
adoption
is
encouraging,
solidifying
critical
role
these
strategies
in
addressing
fate
driving
advances
next-generation
materials
design.
Nature Communications,
Journal Year:
2021,
Volume and Issue:
12(1)
Published: Aug. 17, 2021
Abstract
Plastic
wastes
represent
a
largely
untapped
resource
for
manufacturing
chemicals
and
fuels,
particularly
considering
their
environmental
biological
threats.
Here
we
report
electrocatalytic
upcycling
of
polyethylene
terephthalate
(PET)
plastic
to
valuable
commodity
(potassium
diformate
terephthalic
acid)
H
2
fuel.
Preliminary
techno-economic
analysis
suggests
the
profitability
this
process
when
ethylene
glycol
(EG)
component
PET
is
selectively
electrooxidized
formate
(>80%
selectivity)
at
high
current
density
(>100
mA
cm
−2
).
A
nickel-modified
cobalt
phosphide
(CoNi
0.25
P)
electrocatalyst
developed
achieve
500
1.8
V
in
membrane-electrode
assembly
reactor
with
>80%
Faradaic
efficiency
selectivity
formate.
Detailed
characterizations
reveal
in-situ
evolution
CoNi
P
catalyst
into
low-crystalline
metal
oxy(hydroxide)
as
an
active
state
during
EG
oxidation,
which
might
be
responsible
its
advantageous
performances.
This
work
demonstrates
sustainable
way
implement
waste
value-added
products.
ACS Catalysis,
Journal Year:
2021,
Volume and Issue:
11(3), P. 1340 - 1350
Published: Jan. 13, 2021
Nature
has
provided
a
fantastic
array
of
enzymes
that
are
responsible
for
essential
biochemical
functions
but
not
usually
suitable
technological
applications.
Not
content
with
the
natural
repertoire,
protein
engineering
holds
promise
to
extend
applications
improved
tailored
properties.
However,
robust
proteins
remains
difficult
task
since
positive
mutation
library
may
cooperate
reach
target
function
in
most
cases
owing
ubiquity
epistatic
effects.
The
main
demand
lies
identifying
an
efficient
path
accumulated
mutations.
Herein,
we
devised
computational
strategy
(greedy
engineering,
GRAPE)
improve
robustness
PETase
from
Ideonella
sakaiensis.
A
systematic
clustering
analysis
combined
greedy
accumulation
beneficial
mutations
computationally
derived
enabled
redesign
variant,
DuraPETase,
which
exhibits
apparent
melting
temperature
is
drastically
elevated
by
31
°C
and
strikingly
enhanced
degradation
toward
semicrystalline
poly(ethylene
terephthalate)
(PET)
films
(30%)
at
mild
temperatures
(over
300-fold).
Complete
biodegradation
2
g/L
microplastics
water-soluble
products
under
conditions
also
achieved,
opening
up
opportunities
steer
biological
uncollectable
PET
waste
further
conversion
resulting
monomers
high-value
molecules.
crystal
structure
revealed
individual
match
design
model.
Concurrently,
synergistic
effects
captured,
while
interactions
alleviated
during
process.
We
anticipate
our
will
provide
broadly
applicable
global
optimization
enzyme
performance.
