Polyethylene and related hydrocarbon polymers (“plastics”) are not biodegradable

New Biotechnology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 83, P. 231 - 238

Published: Aug. 24, 2024

Research on the biodegradation of polyethylene (PE), polystyrene (PS) and related polymers has become popular number publications this topic is rapidly increasing. However, there no convincing evidence that frequently claimed biodegradability these so-called "plastics" really exists. Rather, a diffuse definition term "biodegradability" led to publication reports showing either marginal weight losses hydrocarbon by action isolated bacterial strains or mechanical disintegration polymer surface modification in case polymer-consuming insect larvae. Most data can be alternatively explained utilization impurities/additives, low molecular oligomers, and/or physical fragmentation subsequent loss small fragments. Evidence for (partial) biotic abiotic oxidation amorphous fraction surface-exposed side chains not sufficient claim PE biodegradable. To best my knowledge, report been so far published which substantial mineralization (long chain length) carbon dioxide convincingly demonstrated determination fate atoms isotope-labeled polymers. It disappointing with critical view are cited most reports. The possibility should considered expanding research field chasing rainbows.

Language: Английский

Nature-Inspired Strategies for Sustainable Degradation of Synthetic Plastics

JACS Au, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 4(9), P. 3323 - 3339

Published: Aug. 27, 2024

Synthetic plastics have become integral to our daily lives, yet their escalating production, limited biodegradability, and inadequate waste management contribute environmental contamination. Biological plastic degradation is one promising strategy address this pollution. The inherent chemical physical properties of synthetic plastics, however, pose challenges for microbial enzymes, hindering the effective development a sustainable biological recycling process. This Perspective explores alternative, nature-inspired strategies designed overcome some key limitations in currently available plastic-degrading enzymes. Nature's refined pathways natural polymers, such as cellulose, present compelling framework efficient technologies enzymatic degradation. By drawing insights from nature, we propose general employing substrate binding domains improve targeting multienzyme scaffolds efficiency limitations. As potential application, outline pathway upcycle polyethylene into alkenes. Employing can path toward solution impact plastics.

Language: Английский

Design of Plastic Binding Lytic Polysaccharide Monooxygenases via Modular Engineering

Chem & Bio Engineering, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 1(10), P. 863 - 875

Published: Sept. 27, 2024

The worldwide accumulation of plastic waste in the environment, along with its lifespan hundreds years, represents a serious threat to ecosystems. Enzymatic recycling offers promising solution, but high chemical inertness and hydrophobicity plastics pose several challenges enzymes. In nature, lytic polysaccharide monooxygenases (LPMOs) can act at surface recalcitrant biopolymers, taking advantage their solvent-exposed active sites appended carbohydrate-binding modules (CBMs). LPMOs disrupt densely packed chains polysaccharides (e.g., cellulose) by oxidation C-H bonds. Given similarities between these natural artificial polymers, we aimed here promoting plastic-binding properties LPMOs, swapping CBM three natural, surface-active accessory displaying different amphipathic properties. polymer binding capacity resulting LPMO chimeras was assessed on library synthetic including polyester, polyamide, polyolefin substrates. We demonstrated that engineered are polymer-dependent be tuned playing nature module reaction conditions. Remarkably, gained full for some chimera striking results polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA). long term perspective harnessing unique copper chemistry degrade plastics, also provided first evidence LPMO-dependent modification PHA polymer, as supported enzyme assays, gel permeation chromatography, scanning electron microscopy. Altogether, our study provides roadmap engineering ability constituting crucial step evolutionary path toward efficient interfacial catalysis plastic-active

Language: Английский