Plastic-Degrading Enzymes from Marine Microorganisms and Their Potential Value in Recycling Technologies.

ABSTRACT: Since the 2005 discovery of the first enzyme capable of depolymerizing polyethylene terephthalate (PET), an aromatic polyester once thought to be enzymatically inert, extensive research has been undertaken to identify and engineer new biocatalysts for plastic degradation. This effort was directed toward developing efficient enzymatic recycling technologies that could overcome the limitations of mechanical and chemical methods. These enzymes are versatile molecules obtained from microorganisms living in various environments, including soil, compost, surface seawater, and extreme habitats such as hot springs, hydrothermal vents, deep-sea regions, and Antarctic seawater. Among various plastics, PET and polylactic acid (PLA) have been the primary focus of enzymatic depolymerization research, g

SUBMITTER: Ruginescu R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11509169 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature