{"database":"biostudies-literature","file_versions":[],"scores":null,"additional":{"submitter":["Pujol M"],"funding":["Université de Bordeaux","Carnot Institute 3BCAR","INRAE","University of Bordeaux"],"pagination":["e13937"],"full_dataset_link":["https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC12759241"],"repository":["biostudies-literature"],"omics_type":["Unknown"],"volume":["65(1)"],"pubmed_abstract":["Polystyrene (PS) is one of the most widely used synthetic polymers, with annual global production of around 20 million tons. However, its robust C─C backbone renders it highly recalcitrant to (bio)chemical depolymerization, and no sustainable re-/up-cycling method has yet been developed. Here, we establish a proof-of-concept for the efficient depolymerization of PS under mild aqueous conditions, using a laccase-mediator system (LMS) composed of Trametes versicolor laccase, 1-hydroxybenzotriazole (HBT), and ambient oxygen. To overcome substrate accessibility issues, PS is formulated into colloidally stable nanoparticles, promoting interfacial remote biocatalysis. Under such conditions, up to 99.9% decrease in molar mass is achieved from an initial PS of over 2 million g mol<sup>-1</sup>, synthesized by ab initio free-radical emulsion polymerization. This colloidal dispersion strategy is also effective for commercial PS and expanded PS waste processed by post-dispersion in surfactant-containing aqueous media. Mechanistic studies suggest that LMS-mediated depolymerization proceeds via HBT radical diffusion into PS nanoparticles, triggering hydrogen atom transfer (HAT)-based oxidation and β-scissions of PS chains. This approach provides an efficient method for PS depolymerization using aqueous conditions, ambient O<sub>2</sub> and a native enzyme without harsh solvents or experimental conditions."],"journal":["Angewandte Chemie (International ed. in English)"],"pubmed_title":["Harnessing Colloidal Dispersion for Laccase-Driven Enzymatic Depolymerization of Polystyrene."],"pmcid":["PMC12759241"],"funding_grant_id":["PAF_02"],"pubmed_authors":["Berrin JG","Taton D","Seksek F","Gonsales SA","Pujol M","Bissaro B"],"additional_accession":[]},"is_claimable":false,"name":"Harnessing Colloidal Dispersion for Laccase-Driven Enzymatic Depolymerization of Polystyrene.","description":"Polystyrene (PS) is one of the most widely used synthetic polymers, with annual global production of around 20 million tons. However, its robust C─C backbone renders it highly recalcitrant to (bio)chemical depolymerization, and no sustainable re-/up-cycling method has yet been developed. Here, we establish a proof-of-concept for the efficient depolymerization of PS under mild aqueous conditions, using a laccase-mediator system (LMS) composed of Trametes versicolor laccase, 1-hydroxybenzotriazole (HBT), and ambient oxygen. To overcome substrate accessibility issues, PS is formulated into colloidally stable nanoparticles, promoting interfacial remote biocatalysis. Under such conditions, up to 99.9% decrease in molar mass is achieved from an initial PS of over 2 million g mol<sup>-1</sup>, synthesized by ab initio free-radical emulsion polymerization. This colloidal dispersion strategy is also effective for commercial PS and expanded PS waste processed by post-dispersion in surfactant-containing aqueous media. Mechanistic studies suggest that LMS-mediated depolymerization proceeds via HBT radical diffusion into PS nanoparticles, triggering hydrogen atom transfer (HAT)-based oxidation and β-scissions of PS chains. This approach provides an efficient method for PS depolymerization using aqueous conditions, ambient O<sub>2</sub> and a native enzyme without harsh solvents or experimental conditions.","dates":{"release":"2026-01-01T00:00:00Z","publication":"2026 Jan","modification":"2026-06-06T09:17:02.326Z","creation":"2026-05-28T03:11:48.994Z"},"accession":"S-EPMC12759241","cross_references":{"pubmed":["41169041"],"doi":["10.1002/anie.202513937"]}}