Abstract

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is a widely used plastic that is polymerized by terephthalic acid (TPA) and ethylene glycol (EG). In recent years, PET biodegradation and bioconversion have become important in solving environmental plastic pollution. More and more PET hydrolases have been discovered and modified, which mainly act on and degrade the ester bond of PET. The monomers, TPA and EG, can be further utilized by microorganisms, entering the tricarboxylic acid cycle (TCA cycle) or being converted into high value chemicals, and finally realizing the biodegradation and bioconversion of PET. Based on synthetic biology and metabolic engineering strategies, this review summarizes the current advances in the modified PET hydrolases, engineered microbial chassis in degrading PET, bioconversion pathways of PET monomers, and artificial microbial consortia in PET biodegradation and bioconversion. Artificial microbial consortium provides novel ideas for the biodegradation and bioconversion of PET or other complex polymers. It is helpful to realize the one-step bioconversion of PET into high value chemicals.

Highlights

  • Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is one of the most widely used synthetic plastics in people’s lives [1]

  • Some microorganisms have been engineered to produce high value chemicals from PET monomers, which is an important development direction for PET upcycling. Based on these current advances, developing enhanced microbial chassis and constructing artificial microbial consortia to couple the biodegradation of PET by secreted PET hydrolases with the bioconversion of high value chemicals from monomers is a promising method to realize the circular economy of PET waste

  • This review summarizes the current advances in the modified PET hydrolases, engineered microbial chassis in degrading PET, bioconversion pathways of PET monomers, and artificial microbial consortia in PET biodegradation, providing novel ideas for the future degradation of PET, and other types of polymers, by artificial microbial consortia

Read more

Summary

Introduction

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is one of the most widely used synthetic plastics in people’s lives [1]. Synthetic biology and metabolic engineering strategies have been applied to the biodegradation and bioconversion of PET waste, especially in the modification of PET hydrolases, optimization of microbial chassis, and reconstruction of degradation pathways. Some microorganisms have been engineered to produce high value chemicals from PET monomers, which is an important development direction for PET upcycling. Based on these current advances, developing enhanced microbial chassis and constructing artificial microbial consortia to couple the biodegradation of PET by secreted PET hydrolases with the bioconversion of high value chemicals from monomers is a promising method to realize the circular economy of PET waste. This review summarizes the current advances in the modified PET hydrolases, engineered microbial chassis in degrading PET, bioconversion pathways of PET monomers, and artificial microbial consortia in PET biodegradation, providing novel ideas for the future degradation of PET, and other types of polymers, by artificial microbial consortia

PET Biodegradation
Engineered PET Hydrolases
Engineered PET Biodegradation Chassis
Bacteria
Marine Microalgae
Metabolism and Bioconversion of PET Monomers
Metabolism of EG
Glyoxylic Acid Pathway
Bioconversion of EG to High Value Chemicals
Metabolism of TPA
Bioconversion of TPA to High Value Chemicals
Microbial Consortia in PET Biodegradation
Natural Microbial Consortia in PET Biodegradation
Artificial Microbial Consortia in PET Biodegradation
Prospect of PET Biodegradation by Artificial Microbial Consortia
Findings
Conclusions

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.