PET-Degrading Esterase Variants With Higher Thermostability
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for esterases with improved activity and/or thermostability to enhance the efficiency of polyester degrading processes, particularly for polyethylene terephthalate (PET), as existing esterases are not sufficiently effective in degrading plastic waste and recycling monomers and oligomers.
Innovation Solution
Development of novel esterases with specific amino acid substitutions, such as F187Y/I, that exhibit increased activity and thermostability, allowing for more efficient degradation of PET and other polyesters, including expression vectors and host cells to produce and deploy these enzymes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If existing esterases are used for degrading PET, then the degradation process can proceed, but the activity and thermostability are insufficient to provide efficient and competitive polyester degrading processes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by introducing specific amino acid substitutions (F187Y and F187I) at position 187 of the esterase sequence. This substitution changes the local chemical environment and structural properties of the enzyme, resulting in improved thermostability and enhanced polyester degrading activity without requiring changes to the overall enzyme architecture or degradation process conditions.
2Productivity
If existing esterases are used for PET degradation, then monomers and oligomers can be recovered, but the process efficiency is insufficient for competitive recycling operations
Solution Approach 1:
The amino acid substitution at position 187 optimizes the enzyme's catalytic parameters, including substrate binding affinity and turnover rate. This leads to faster degradation kinetics and higher productivity, reducing the processing time required to achieve efficient monomer and oligomer recovery from PET waste.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The novel esterases demonstrate enhanced PET degradation activity and stability at high temperatures, facilitating the recovery of monomers and oligomers for recycling, thus improving the efficiency and competitiveness of polyester degrading processes.
Implementation Method 1
Esterases are able to catalyze the hydrolysis of a variety of polymers, including polyesters... enzymes may accelerate hydrolysis of polyester containing material, and more particularly of plastic products, even up to the monomer level
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to novel esterases, more particularly to esterase variants having improved activity and/or improved themostability compared to the esterase of SEQ ID N°1 and the uses thereof for degrading polyester containing material, such as plastic products. The esterases of the invention are particularly suited to degrade polyethylene terephthalate, and material containing polyethylene terephthalate.