Environmental Consortium Containing <i>Pseudomonas</i> and <i>Bacillus</i> Species Synergistically Degrades Polyethylene Terephthalate Plastic
Cameron G. Roberts, Sabrina Edwards, Morgan Vague, Rosa León‐Zayas, Henry Scheffer, Gayle Chan, Natasja A. Swartz, Jay L. Mellies
Abstract
While several research groups are utilizing purified enzymes to break down postconsumer PET to the monomers TPA and ethylene glycol to produce new PET products, here, we present a group of five soil bacteria in culture that are able to partially degrade this polymer. To date, mixed Pseudomonas spp. and Bacillus spp. biodegradation of PET has not been described, and this work highlights the possibility of using bacterial consortia to biodegrade or potentially to biorecycle PET plastic waste.
Topics & Concepts
Polyethylene terephthalatePseudomonasPolyethyleneBacillus (shape)MicrobiologyMaterials scienceBacteriaBiologyComposite materialGeneticsMicroplastics and Plastic Pollutionbiodegradable polymer synthesis and propertiesRecycling and Waste Management Techniques