Possibilities and limitations of biotechnological plastic degradation and recycling

Wei, Ren; Tiso, Till; Bertling, Jürgen; O’Connor, Kevin E.; Blank, Lars M.; Bornscheuer, Uwe T.

doi:10.1038/s41929-020-00521-w

Cited by 310 publications

(223 citation statements)

References 37 publications

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“…However, the de novo ordered assembly of biopolymers on a molecular scale, which requires exquisite expression control over time and levels with well-organized collaborative response, is still challenging to achieve comparable performance of chemosynthesis polymerization. To our knowledge, PHA is a family of microbially synthesized biodegradable 44 biopolymers with tunable thermo-mechanical properties depending on the components, molecular weights, and polymerization manners including homopolymer, random-, and block-copolymer (Supplementary Fig. 14 ) 33 .…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Reversible thermal regulation for bifunctional dynamic control of gene expression in Escherichia coli

et al. 2021

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Genetically programmed circuits allowing bifunctional dynamic regulation of enzyme expression have far-reaching significances for various bio-manufactural purposes. However, building a bio-switch with a post log-phase response and reversibility during scale-up bioprocesses is still a challenge in metabolic engineering due to the lack of robustness. Here, we report a robust thermosensitive bio-switch that enables stringent bidirectional control of gene expression over time and levels in living cells. Based on the bio-switch, we obtain tree ring-like colonies with spatially distributed patterns and transformer cells shifting among spherical-, rod- and fiber-shapes of the engineered Escherichia coli. Moreover, fed-batch fermentations of recombinant E. coli are conducted to obtain ordered assembly of tailor-made biopolymers polyhydroxyalkanoates including diblock- and random-copolymer, composed of 3-hydroxybutyrate and 4-hydroxybutyrate with controllable monomer molar fraction. This study demonstrates the possibility of well-organized, chemosynthesis-like block polymerization on a molecular scale by reprogrammed microbes, exemplifying the versatility of thermo-response control for various practical uses.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Reversible thermal regulation for bifunctional dynamic control of gene expression in Escherichia coli

et al. 2021

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“…One way or the other, the field of polymer production by Pseudomonas is far from spent: on the contrary, the emergence of novel approaches to control PHA biosynthesis and composition is burgeoning—and will become instrumental in our quest for a true circular bioeconomy to reduce the environmental footprint of modern society. [ 160 ]…”

Section: Outlook and Perspectivesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Engineering Native and Synthetic Pathways in Pseudomonas putida for the Production of Tailored Polyhydroxyalkanoates

Mezzina

Manoli

Prieto

et al. 2020

Biotechnology Journal

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Growing environmental concern sparks renewed interest in the sustainable production of (bio)materials that can replace oil‐derived goods. Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are isotactic polymers that play a critical role in the central metabolism of producer bacteria, as they act as dynamic reservoirs of carbon and reducing equivalents. PHAs continue to attract industrial attention as a starting point toward renewable, biodegradable, biocompatible, and versatile thermoplastic and elastomeric materials. Pseudomonas species have been known for long as efficient biopolymer producers, especially for medium‐chain‐length PHAs. The surge of synthetic biology and metabolic engineering approaches in recent years offers the possibility of exploiting the untapped potential of Pseudomonas cell factories for the production of tailored PHAs. In this article, an overview of the metabolic and regulatory circuits that rule PHA accumulation in Pseudomonas putida is provided, and approaches leading to the biosynthesis of novel polymers (e.g., PHAs including nonbiological chemical elements in their structures) are discussed. The potential of novel PHAs to disrupt existing and future market segments is closer to realization than ever before. The review is concluded by pinpointing challenges that currently hinder the wide adoption of bio‐based PHAs, and strategies toward programmable polymer biosynthesis from alternative substrates in engineered P. putida strains are proposed.

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“…Enzymatic biocatalysis has gained increasing attention as an eco-friendly alternative to conventional plastic treatment and recycling methods (Box 1) [7]. To date, various microbial plastic-degrading enzymes have been discovered, representing promising biocatalyst candidates for plastic depolymerization.…”

Section: Biocatalysis As An Emerging Solution For the Global Plastic mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In addition, the degradation resistance of plastics further escalates their adverse environmental impacts [6]. Therefore, it is urgent to develop innovative technologies for treatment and recycling of post-consumer plastics, to achieve both waste valorization and environmental protection.Enzymatic biocatalysis has gained increasing attention as an eco-friendly alternative to conventional plastic treatment and recycling methods (Box 1) [7]. To date, various microbial plastic-degrading enzymes have been discovered, representing promising biocatalyst candidates for plastic depolymerization.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Enzyme discovery and engineering for sustainable plastic recycling

Zhu

Wang

Wei

2022

Trends in Biotechnology

203

114

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The drastically increasing amount of plastic waste is causing an environmental crisis that requires innovative technologies for recycling post-consumer plastics to achieve waste valorization while meeting environmental quality goals. Biocatalytic depolymerization mediated by enzymes has emerged as an efficient and sustainable alternative for plastic treatment and recycling. A variety of plasticdegrading enzymes have been discovered from microbial sources. Meanwhile, protein engineering has been exploited to modify and optimize plastic-degrading enzymes. This review highlights the recent trends and up-to-date advances in mining novel plastic-degrading enzymes through state-of-the-art omics-based techniques and improving the enzyme catalytic efficiency and stability via various protein engineering strategies. Future research prospects and challenges are also discussed. Biocatalysis as an Emerging Solution for the Global Plastic Waste ChallengePlastic materials play a revolutionary role in the modern world, although the enormous manufacture and extensive use of plastic commodities inevitably generate an extraordinary amount of post-consumer plastic waste. Around 12 000 million metric tons of plastic waste are predicted to accumulate in landfills and the natural environment by 2050 [1]. Improper handling of plastic waste has caused a grand environmental challenge. The debris of plastic waste, especially microplastics (see Glossary), can impose hazardous effects on various organisms and eventually threaten human well-being [2-5]. In addition, the degradation resistance of plastics further escalates their adverse environmental impacts [6]. Therefore, it is urgent to develop innovative technologies for treatment and recycling of post-consumer plastics, to achieve both waste valorization and environmental protection.Enzymatic biocatalysis has gained increasing attention as an eco-friendly alternative to conventional plastic treatment and recycling methods (Box 1) [7]. To date, various microbial plastic-degrading enzymes have been discovered, representing promising biocatalyst candidates for plastic depolymerization. Considering the ubiquity of plastics in different ecosystems and the tremendous metabolic and genetic diversity of microorganisms, microbial communities in various habitats have likely evolved capabilities in plastic decomposition and utilization. The plastic-degrading enzymes identified so far might only account for a small portion of the enzymes relevant to plastic depolymerization in the environment. Therefore, it is of ever-growing interest to explore diverse environments to discover new plastic-degrading enzymes with desirable properties and functionalities. However, naturally occurring plasticdegrading enzymes are not well suited for synthetic plastic degradation in industrial applications due to poor thermostability and low catalytic activity. Particularly, synthetic plastic materials usually possess distinct physical and chemical properties (e.g., high crystallinity) that render them more resistant to...

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Possibilities and limitations of biotechnological plastic degradation and recycling

Cited by 310 publications

References 37 publications

Reversible thermal regulation for bifunctional dynamic control of gene expression in Escherichia coli

Reversible thermal regulation for bifunctional dynamic control of gene expression in Escherichia coli

Engineering Native and Synthetic Pathways in Pseudomonas putida for the Production of Tailored Polyhydroxyalkanoates

Enzyme discovery and engineering for sustainable plastic recycling

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