International Journal of Molecular Sciences, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 25(23), P. 12747 - 12747

Published: Nov. 27, 2024

Plastic waste pollution has become a global crisis, with millions of tons plastic expected to accumulate in landfills and natural environments, posing serious threat wildlife human health. As current recycling methods remain inefficient, there is an urgent need for innovative enzymatic solutions break down plastics enable circular economy approach. In this study, we explore the plastic-degrading potential microorganisms enriched from activated sludge (AS) sourced municipal wastewater treatment plant (WWTP)—a known microplastic-contaminated industrial niche. Five microbial consortia (i.e., microbiomes) were under selective pressure using low-carbon conditions high concentrations polyester polymers, including post-consumer PET, PLA, virgin PLA. Enrichment was performed 100 days at 37 °C 50 °C, followed by microbiomes isolation metagenomic analysis identify plastic-active bacteria their enzymes. The results revealed that PLA but not effectively degraded microbiomes, as confirmed nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) gel permeation chromatography (GPC), showing significant molecular weight reduction compared abiotic controls. Microbial community highlighted distinct enrichment profile driven polymer composition temperature. At Bacillales order became predominant population, whereas more diverse within Proteobacteria Actinobacteria phyla selected. Nonetheless, communities both temperatures included members degradation. Moreover, putative PET/PLA hydrolases also observed. These findings suggest AS are reservoir polyester-active enzymes, particularly PLA-depolymerases, hold promise advancing biotechnological strategies mitigate through re- up-cycling.

Language: Английский