This title appears in the Scientific Report :
2022
Please use the identifier:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ymben.2021.12.006 in citations.
Please use the identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/2128/31034 in citations.
The metabolic potential of plastics as biotechnological carbon sources – Review and targets for the future
The metabolic potential of plastics as biotechnological carbon sources – Review and targets for the future
The plastic crisis requires drastic measures, especially for the plastics’ end-of-life. Mixed plastic fractions are currently difficult to recycle, but microbial metabolism might open new pathways. With new technologies for degradation of plastics to oligo- and monomers, these carbon sources can be...
| Personal Name(s): | Tiso, Till |
|---|---|
| Winter, Benedikt / Wei, Ren / Hee, Johann / de Witt, Jan / Wierckx, Nick / Quicker, Peter / Bornscheuer, Uwe T. / Bardow, André / Nogales, Juan / Blank, Lars M. (Corresponding author) | |
| Contributing Institute: |
Biotechnologie; IBG-1 |
| Published in: | Metabolic engineering, 71 (2022) S. 77-98 |
| Imprint: |
Orlando, Fla.
Academic Press
2022
|
| DOI: |
10.1016/j.ymben.2021.12.006 |
| Document Type: |
Journal Article |
| Research Program: |
Utilization of renewable carbon and energy sources and engineering of ecosystem functions |
| Link: |
OpenAccess |
| Publikationsportal JuSER |
Please use the identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/2128/31034 in citations.
|
The plastic crisis requires drastic measures, especially for the plastics’ end-of-life. Mixed plastic fractions are currently difficult to recycle, but microbial metabolism might open new pathways. With new technologies for degradation of plastics to oligo- and monomers, these carbon sources can be used in biotechnology for the upcycling of plastic waste to valuable products, such as bioplastics and biosurfactants. We briefly summarize well-known monomer degradation pathways and computed their theoretical yields for industrially interesting products. With this information in hand, we calculated replacement scenarios of existing fossil-based synthesis routes for the same products. Thereby, we highlight fossil-based products for which plastic monomers might be attractive alternative carbon sources. Notably, not the highest yield of product on substrate of the biochemical route, but rather the (in-)efficiency of the petrochemical routes (i.e., carbon, energy use) determines the potential of biochemical plastic upcycling. Our results might serve as a guide for future metabolic engineering efforts towards a sustainable plastic economy. |