Biodegradation of oxidized low density polyethylene by Pelosinus fermentans lipase

Do Wook Kim; Eui Seok Lim; Ga Hyun Lee; Hyeoncheol Francis Son; Changmin Sung; Jong Hyun Jung; Hyun June Park; Gyeongtaek Gong; Ja Kyong Ko; Youngsoon Um; Sung Ok Han; Jung Ho Ahn

doi:10.1016/j.biortech.2024.130871

Biodegradation of oxidized low density polyethylene by Pelosinus fermentans lipase

Do Wook Kim, Eui Seok Lim, Ga Hyun Lee, Hyeoncheol Francis Son, Changmin Sung, Jong Hyun Jung, Hyun June Park, Gyeongtaek Gong, Ja Kyong Ko, Youngsoon Um, Sung Ok Han, Jung Ho Ahn

Department of Biotechnology

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

Polyethylene (PE) exhibits high resistance to degradation, contributing to plastic pollution. PE discarded into the environment is photo-oxidized by sunlight and oxygen. In this study, a key enzyme capable of degrading oxidized PE is reported for the first time. Twenty different enzymes from various lipase families were evaluated for hydrolytic activity using substrates mimicking oxidized PE. Among them, Pelosinus fermentans lipase 1 (PFL1) specifically cleaved the ester bonds within the oxidized carbon–carbon backbone. Moreover, PFL1 (6 μM) degraded oxidized PE film, reducing the weight average and number average molecular weights by 44.6 and 11.3 %, respectively, within five days. Finally, structural analysis and molecular docking simulations were performed to elucidate the degradation mechanism of PFL1. The oxidized PE-degrading enzyme reported here will provide the groundwork for advancing PE waste treatment technology and for engineering microbes to repurpose PE waste into valuable chemicals.

Original language	English
Article number	130871
Journal	Bioresource technology
Volume	403
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2024.130871
Publication status	Published - 2024 Jul

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2024 The Authors

Keywords

Bioremediation
Hydrolytic enzyme
Photo-oxidation
Plastic pollution
Plastic waste treatment

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Bioengineering
Environmental Engineering
Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment
Waste Management and Disposal

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

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10.1016/j.biortech.2024.130871

Cite this

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title = "Biodegradation of oxidized low density polyethylene by Pelosinus fermentans lipase",

abstract = "Polyethylene (PE) exhibits high resistance to degradation, contributing to plastic pollution. PE discarded into the environment is photo-oxidized by sunlight and oxygen. In this study, a key enzyme capable of degrading oxidized PE is reported for the first time. Twenty different enzymes from various lipase families were evaluated for hydrolytic activity using substrates mimicking oxidized PE. Among them, Pelosinus fermentans lipase 1 (PFL1) specifically cleaved the ester bonds within the oxidized carbon–carbon backbone. Moreover, PFL1 (6 μM) degraded oxidized PE film, reducing the weight average and number average molecular weights by 44.6 and 11.3 %, respectively, within five days. Finally, structural analysis and molecular docking simulations were performed to elucidate the degradation mechanism of PFL1. The oxidized PE-degrading enzyme reported here will provide the groundwork for advancing PE waste treatment technology and for engineering microbes to repurpose PE waste into valuable chemicals.",

keywords = "Bioremediation, Hydrolytic enzyme, Photo-oxidation, Plastic pollution, Plastic waste treatment",

author = "Kim, {Do Wook} and Lim, {Eui Seok} and Lee, {Ga Hyun} and Son, {Hyeoncheol Francis} and Changmin Sung and Jung, {Jong Hyun} and Park, {Hyun June} and Gyeongtaek Gong and Ko, {Ja Kyong} and Youngsoon Um and Han, {Sung Ok} and Ahn, {Jung Ho}",

note = "Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2024 The Authors",

year = "2024",

month = jul,

doi = "10.1016/j.biortech.2024.130871",

language = "English",

volume = "403",

journal = "Bioresource technology",

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T1 - Biodegradation of oxidized low density polyethylene by Pelosinus fermentans lipase

AU - Kim, Do Wook

AU - Lim, Eui Seok

AU - Lee, Ga Hyun

AU - Son, Hyeoncheol Francis

AU - Sung, Changmin

AU - Jung, Jong Hyun

AU - Park, Hyun June

AU - Gong, Gyeongtaek

AU - Ko, Ja Kyong

AU - Um, Youngsoon

AU - Han, Sung Ok

AU - Ahn, Jung Ho

PY - 2024/7

Y1 - 2024/7

N2 - Polyethylene (PE) exhibits high resistance to degradation, contributing to plastic pollution. PE discarded into the environment is photo-oxidized by sunlight and oxygen. In this study, a key enzyme capable of degrading oxidized PE is reported for the first time. Twenty different enzymes from various lipase families were evaluated for hydrolytic activity using substrates mimicking oxidized PE. Among them, Pelosinus fermentans lipase 1 (PFL1) specifically cleaved the ester bonds within the oxidized carbon–carbon backbone. Moreover, PFL1 (6 μM) degraded oxidized PE film, reducing the weight average and number average molecular weights by 44.6 and 11.3 %, respectively, within five days. Finally, structural analysis and molecular docking simulations were performed to elucidate the degradation mechanism of PFL1. The oxidized PE-degrading enzyme reported here will provide the groundwork for advancing PE waste treatment technology and for engineering microbes to repurpose PE waste into valuable chemicals.

AB - Polyethylene (PE) exhibits high resistance to degradation, contributing to plastic pollution. PE discarded into the environment is photo-oxidized by sunlight and oxygen. In this study, a key enzyme capable of degrading oxidized PE is reported for the first time. Twenty different enzymes from various lipase families were evaluated for hydrolytic activity using substrates mimicking oxidized PE. Among them, Pelosinus fermentans lipase 1 (PFL1) specifically cleaved the ester bonds within the oxidized carbon–carbon backbone. Moreover, PFL1 (6 μM) degraded oxidized PE film, reducing the weight average and number average molecular weights by 44.6 and 11.3 %, respectively, within five days. Finally, structural analysis and molecular docking simulations were performed to elucidate the degradation mechanism of PFL1. The oxidized PE-degrading enzyme reported here will provide the groundwork for advancing PE waste treatment technology and for engineering microbes to repurpose PE waste into valuable chemicals.

KW - Bioremediation

KW - Hydrolytic enzyme

KW - Photo-oxidation

KW - Plastic pollution

KW - Plastic waste treatment

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DO - 10.1016/j.biortech.2024.130871

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SN - 0960-8524

VL - 403

JO - Bioresource technology

JF - Bioresource technology

M1 - 130871

ER -

Biodegradation of oxidized low density polyethylene by Pelosinus fermentans lipase

Abstract

Bibliographical note

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

UN SDGs

Access to Document

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