Solid-state platform (SSP) to produce terpenes from enzymatically treated textile waste with E. coli

Area of Science:

• Biotechnology and Sustainable Chemistry
• Waste Management and Circular Economy
• Microbial Engineering

Background:

• Textile waste poses a significant environmental challenge, necessitating innovative recycling solutions.
• Enzymatic hydrolysis of cotton waste to glucose is a key step towards valorization.
• Engineered microbes can convert glucose into valuable chemicals like terpenes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel Solid-State Platform (SSP) for microbial synthesis of volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
• To utilize enzymatically treated textile waste as a sustainable feedstock.
• To engineer Escherichia coli for efficient conversion of glucose to terpenes.

Main Methods:

• Development of a simple, inert glass Solid-State Platform (SSP) for microbial synthesis.
• Enzymatic hydrolysis of cotton-based textile waste to produce glucose.
• Cultivation of engineered Escherichia coli within the SSP for terpene production.
• Direct trapping of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) using dodecane as an organic overlay.

Main Results:

• The SSP successfully produced limonene (1.4 mg mL⁻¹) and cineole (0.7 mg mL⁻¹) from pure glucose.
• Using enzymatically treated waste (glucose juice H46), 0.35 mg mL⁻¹ of cineole was produced.
• The system demonstrated efficient microbial transformation of waste-derived glucose into VOCs.

Conclusions:

• The Solid-State Platform (SSP) offers a sustainable and efficient method for producing green volatile chemicals from textile waste.
• This approach provides an alternative strategy for textile waste recycling, reducing environmental burden.
• The technology utilizes conventional laboratory materials, highlighting its accessibility and potential for broader adoption.