Embedded Files
The Future of Waste Management: Harnessing Enzymes to Combat Plastic Pollution
Engineers and scientists at The University of Texas at Austin have created an enzyme variant that can break down plastics that typically take centuries to degrade in just a matter of hours to days. This discovery could help solve one of the world's most pressing environmental problems: what to do with the billions of tons of plastic waste piling up in landfills and polluting our natural lands and water.
The enzyme has the potential to supercharge recycling on a large scale that would allow major industries to reduce their environmental impact by recovering and reusing plastics at the molecular level. The project focuses on polyethylene terephthalate (PET), a significant polymer found in most consumer packaging, including cookie containers, soda bottles, fruit and salad packaging, and certain fibers and textiles. It makes up 12% of all global waste.
The enzyme was able to complete a "circular process" of breaking down the plastic into smaller parts (depolymerization) and then chemically putting it back together (repolymerization). In some cases, these plastics can be fully broken down to monomers in as little as 24 hours.
Researchers at the Cockrell School of Engineering and College of Natural Sciences used a machine learning model to generate novel mutations to a natural enzyme called PETase that allows bacteria to degrade PET plastics. The model predicts which mutations in these enzymes would accomplish the goal of quickly depolymerizing post-consumer waste plastic at low temperatures. The researchers proved the effectiveness of the enzyme, which they are calling FAST-PETase (functional, active, stable and tolerant PETase).
This work really demonstrates the power of bringing together different disciplines, from synthetic biology to chemical engineering to artificial intelligence. This could be a game-changer in managing plastic waste and moving towards a more sustainable future.
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/04/220427115722.htm
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse