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High Throughput Screening for New Fungal Polyester Hydrolyzing Enzymes
Simone Weinberger1,2, Reinhard Beyer3, Christoph Schüller3
1Department of Agrobiotechnology, Institute of Environmental Biotechnology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria.
Frontiers in Microbiology
|May 12, 2020
Summary
Researchers screened fungi for polyester-hydrolyzing enzymes crucial for eco-friendly plastic recycling. About 10% of fungi showed induced esterase activity, with some supernatants effectively degrading polyesters like PLA and PBAT.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology
- Environmental Science
- Enzymology
Background:
- Developing sustainable plastic recycling methods is essential for closing the carbon cycle.
- Polyester-degrading enzymes are key to efficient and environmentally friendly plastic waste management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To screen a large number of fungi for their ability to produce polyester-hydrolyzing enzymes.
- To identify fungal strains capable of degrading common aliphatic and aromatic polyesters.
Main Methods:
- A high-throughput microplate system was employed to screen fungal esterase activity.
- Fungi were cultivated with polyesters such as poly(1,4-butylene adipate co terephthalate) (PBAT), poly(lactic acid) (PLA), and poly(1,4-butylene succinate) (PBS) for enzyme induction.
- Esterase activity was measured using para-nitrophenylbutyrate (pNPB), and hydrolysis products of polyesters were quantified via liquid chromatography.
Main Results:
- Approximately 10% of screened fungi exhibited induced esterase activity (>50 mU/mL) when grown with polyesters.
- Fifty active fungal culture supernatants demonstrated the ability to hydrolyze at least one type of polyester (PBAT, PLA, or PBS).
- Significant variation in polyester specificity was observed among the different fungal supernatants.
Conclusions:
- Fungal screening successfully identified strains producing polyester-hydrolyzing enzymes.
- These enzymes show potential for application in biological recycling of plastics like PLA and PBAT.
- Further research into enzyme specificity can optimize plastic degradation processes.
