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<div class="csl-entry">Rudroff, F., & Suchy, L. (2025, June 30). <i>Pioneering Light, Air and Photosensitizing Proteins for the Degradation of Polyolefins</i> [Conference Presentation]. BIOTRANS 2025 : 17th International Symposium on Biocatalysis and Biotransformations, Basel, Switzerland.</div>
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dc.identifier.uri
http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12708/225896
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dc.description.abstract
Microplastics are tiny bits of plastic that end up in the environment. Right now, we often dispose of plastic in ways that harm the environment. The project suggests a new method to recycle microplastics by creating a special enzyme that uses light, and air to break down plastics in water (Figure 1).
Figure 1. Schematic overview of biological microplastic degradation by light and air.
Plastic pollution is a substantial global issue, necessitating environmentally friendly alternatives to conventional disposal practices such as burial, which prove detrimental to the ecosystem. Particularly resilient plastics like polyethylene and polypropylene present challenges in degradation. The primary aim of this project is to discover an improved method for upcycling these plastics into valuable materials, aligning with the concept of a sustainable and closed-loop society. [1]
We use light, air, a strong oxidant-producing protein, and a hydrophobic anchor to attack, degrade, and valorize microplastic in water at ambient temperatures. We apply light-controlled reactive oxygen species (ROS) producing enzymes (LOV-FPs: light oxygen voltage- fluorescent proteins) attached to a hydrophobic tail (hydrophobins) that acts as plastic-recognition element (an anchor) for the oxidative degradation of polyolefins (low-density PE, PP, Figure 3). The desired degradation products are organic acids, which are key platform chemicals for the chemical industry.
[1] Jambeck, J. R.; Geyer, R.; Wilcox, C.; Siegler, T. R.; Perryman, M.; Andrady, A.; Narayan, R.; Law, K. L., Plastic waste inputs from land into the ocean. Science 2015, 347 (6223), 768-771, doi: 10.1126/science.1260352.
en
dc.language.iso
en
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dc.subject
plastic degradation
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dc.subject
polyolefin
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dc.subject
enzyme
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dc.subject
light
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dc.subject
air
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dc.title
Pioneering Light, Air and Photosensitizing Proteins for the Degradation of Polyolefins
