A MICROORGANISM FORMULATION AND METHOD FOR EFFICIENT PLASTIC WASTE DEGRADATION AND SUSTAINABLE RECYCLING

Abstract

The invention relates to genetically engineered microorganisms optimized for the efficient biodegradation and recycling of synthetic plastic waste. These microorganisms are designed to express modified enzymes, such as PETase, MHETase, AlkB, and StyB, which exhibit enhanced substrate binding affinity, thermostability, and reaction rates for breaking down polyethylene (PE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polypropylene (PP), and polystyrene (PS). The invention incorporates advanced genetic engineering techniques to improve the breakdown of long-chain plastic polymers into monomers or oligomers, which are subsequently converted into valuable byproducts, including biofuels, bioplastics, and industrial precursor chemicals. The microorganisms are further engineered for biofilm formation on plastic surfaces, enhancing degradation efficiency. Additionally, a scalable bioreactor system is provided to facilitate large-scale application, featuring aeration, temperature control, and recycling mechanisms for waste conversion. This innovation offers a sustainable and cost-effective solution to plastic pollution, promoting a circular economy through waste reduction and resource recovery.

Specification

Description:[0017].The following description provides specific details of certain aspects of the disclosure illustrated in the drawings to provide a thorough understanding of those aspects. It should be recognized, however, that the present disclosure can be reflected in additional aspects and the disclosure may be practiced without some of the details in the following description.
[0018].The various aspects including the example aspects are now described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which the various aspects of the disclosure are shown. The disclosure may, however, be embodied in different forms and should not be construed as limited to the aspects set forth herein. Rather, these aspects are provided so that this disclosure is thorough and complete, and fully conveys the scope of the disclosure to those skilled in the art. In the drawings, the sizes of components may be exaggerated for clarity.
[0019].It is understood that when an element or layer is referred to as being "on," "connected to," or "coupled to" another element or layer, it can be directly on, connected to, or coupled to the other element or layer or intervening elements or layers that may be present. As used herein, the term "and/or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.
[0020].The subject matter of example aspects, as disclosed herein, is described with specificity to meet statutory requirements. However, the description itself is not intended to limit the scope of this patent. Rather, the inventor/inventors have contemplated that the claimed subject matter might also be embodied in other ways, to include different features or combinations of features similar to the ones described in this document, in conjunction with other technologies.
[0021].The invention relates to genetically engineered microorganisms optimized for the efficient biodegradation and recycling of synthetic plastic waste. These microorganisms are designed to express modified enzymes, such as PETase, MHETase, AlkB, and StyB, which exhibit enhanced substrate binding affinity, thermostability, and reaction rates for breaking down polyethylene (PE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polypropylene (PP), and polystyrene (PS).
[0022].The invention incorporates advanced genetic engineering techniques to improve the breakdown of long-chain plastic polymers into monomers or oligomers, which are subsequently converted into valuable byproducts, including biofuels, bioplastics, and industrial precursor chemicals. The microorganisms are further engineered for biofilm formation on plastic surfaces, enhancing degradation efficiency. Additionally, a scalable bioreactor system is provided to facilitate large-scale application, featuring aeration, temperature control, and recycling mechanisms for waste conversion. This innovation offers a sustainable and cost-effective solution to plastic pollution, promoting a circular economy through waste reduction and resource recovery.
[0023].Plastic pollution has become one of the most pressing environmental challenges of the 21st century, with billions of tons of plastic waste accumulating in landfills, waterways, and ecosystems worldwide. Conventional plastics, including polyethylene (PE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polystyrene (PS), and polypropylene (PP), are engineered for durability, making them highly resistant to natural biodegradation. As a result, these materials persist in the environment for centuries, causing significant harm to wildlife, marine ecosystems, and human health.
[0024].Despite efforts to mitigate the issue through recycling, current plastic waste management methods remain inadequate. Mechanical and chemical recycling processes are energy-intensive, costly, and often result in low recovery yields, with a substantial portion of plastic waste either incinerated or disposed of in landfills. Furthermore, these traditional approaches are ineffective in addressing the degradation of complex, multi-layered, or contaminated plastics.
[0025].Natural microorganisms with inherent plastic-degrading capabilities, such as Ideonella sakaiensis or Pseudomonas putida, have been identified as potential biological solutions. However, their efficiency is limited by slow degradation rates, low enzyme activity, and the inability to degrade multiple types of plastics. Consequently, there is a critical need for innovative approaches to enhance the biodegradation and recycling of synthetic plastics in a cost-effective and sustainable manner.
[0026].This invention addresses these challenges by leveraging genetic engineering to develop microorganisms with enhanced plastic-degrading capabilities. By incorporating advanced molecular biology techniques, these microorganisms express modified enzymes that can efficiently break down various plastics into simpler, reusable components. Additionally, the invention integrates these microorganisms into scalable bioreactor systems, offering a sustainable, eco-friendly alternative to traditional plastic waste management practices.
[0027].The invention provides a comprehensive solution to the global plastic waste crisis by developing genetically engineered microorganisms capable of efficient plastic biodegradation and recycling. These microorganisms are specifically designed to degrade common synthetic plastics, including polyethylene (PE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polypropylene (PP), and polystyrene (PS), which are known for their persistence in the environment and resistance to natural degradation processes. By integrating advanced molecular biology, enzymology, and bioprocess engineering, the invention addresses both environmental and industrial challenges associated with plastic waste management.
[0028].At the heart of this invention is the enhancement of plastic-degrading enzymes. Naturally occurring enzymes such as PETase and MHETase, which degrade PET, are limited by their slow reaction rates and instability under varying environmental conditions. Using protein engineering techniques like site-directed mutagenesis, directed evolution, and computational modeling, these enzymes are modified to exhibit superior performance. Enhancements include increased binding affinity for plastic substrates, improved thermostability to function effectively across a broad temperature range, and accelerated catalytic rates for rapid polymer breakdown. For instance, the modified AlkB enzymes efficiently target and cleave the long polymer chains of polyethylene, while StyB and StyC enzymes are optimized for breaking polystyrene into reusable chemical intermediates. These improvements enable the microorganisms to process multiple plastic types with unprecedented efficiency, overcoming the limitations of natural strains that typically target only a single polymer.
[0029].To complement enzymatic degradation, the invention integrates metabolic engineering pathways into the microorganisms. These pathways are sourced from well-characterized organisms such as Escherichia coli and Saccharomyces cerevisiae and are tailored to convert the degradation byproducts into valuable end-products. For example, ethylene glycol, a byproduct of PET degradation, can be transformed into biofuels such as ethanol or butanol. Similarly, styrene monomers from polystyrene can be converted into industrially important precursor chemicals. The production of bioplastics, such as polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), further exemplifies the dual functionality of the microorganisms: reducing waste while generating high-value materials for industrial applications. This integrated approach not only minimizes waste but also aligns with circular economy principles, where materials are recycled back into the production chain.
[0030].In addition to genetic modifications, the invention optimizes the physical interactions between microorganisms and plastic waste through biofilm formation. The engineered microorganisms are designed to adhere to plastic surfaces, forming biofilms that facilitate direct and prolonged contact between the enzymes and the plastic polymers. This design significantly enhances degradation efficiency, as the enzymes can act directly on the substrate without being washed away or diluted in the surrounding environment. This capability is particularly advantageous in industrial settings, where maximizing enzyme-plastic interactions reduces processing times and costs.
[0031].To enable large-scale application, the invention incorporates a bioreactor system designed for industrial-scale biodegradation and recycling. The bioreactor maintains a controlled environment optimized for microbial growth and enzymatic activity. Key features include:
[0032].Aeration systems to ensure adequate oxygen supply for aerobic degradation processes,
[0033].Temperature control units to maintain conditions suitable for enzyme stability and activity, and
[0034].Product recovery mechanisms to extract and purify monomers and oligomers for reuse.
[0035].The bioreactor also incorporates systems for recycling the microbial culture and managing residual waste, ensuring continuous operation and cost-efficiency. Additionally, the system is scalable, allowing adaptation to different volumes of plastic waste, from small-scale operations to large industrial plants.
[0036].This invention offers numerous advantages over traditional plastic waste management techniques. Unlike energy-intensive chemical recycling or incineration, which release greenhouse gases and toxic byproducts, this biological approach is environmentally sustainable and operates under mild conditions. Furthermore, the ability to degrade multiple types of plastics simultaneously addresses the complexity of mixed plastic waste streams, which are difficult to process using conventional methods. By producing high-value byproducts, the invention adds economic viability to the waste management process, transforming it from a cost center into a revenue-generating operation.
[0037].The invention represents a significant advancement in the field of environmental biotechnology, addressing the dual challenges of plastic waste accumulation and resource scarcity. By leveraging cutting-edge genetic engineering, enzymatic optimization, and bioprocess design, it provides a scalable, sustainable, and economically viable solution to plastic pollution. This approach not only mitigates the environmental impacts of plastic waste but also contributes to global efforts toward achieving a circular economy, where materials are continuously repurposed and reused.
[0038].The invention represents a transformative solution to the global plastic waste crisis by introducing genetically engineered microorganisms capable of efficiently degrading and recycling synthetic plastics. Through advanced genetic engineering, these microorganisms express modified enzymes with enhanced efficiency, enabling the breakdown of common plastics such as polyethylene (PE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polypropylene (PP), and polystyrene (PS). By integrating metabolic pathways, the invention not only facilitates biodegradation but also allows the conversion of plastic waste into valuable byproducts, including biofuels, bioplastics, and industrial precursor chemicals.
[0039].The scalability of the invention is achieved through the design of an industrial bioreactor system that ensures optimal conditions for microbial activity, efficient degradation, and resource recovery. This system enables the cost-effective application of the technology on a large scale, providing a sustainable alternative to traditional energy-intensive recycling methods. The ability to handle mixed plastic waste streams, coupled with the production of high-value outputs, further enhances its utility and economic feasibility.
[0040].This innovation offers significant environmental, economic, and social benefits. It addresses the pressing need for sustainable waste management by reducing plastic pollution, conserving natural resources, and supporting the transition to a circular economy. The invention also aligns with global sustainability goals by mitigating greenhouse gas emissions associated with conventional plastic disposal methods.
[0041].In conclusion, this invention is a pioneering step in environmental biotechnology, providing a scalable and eco-friendly approach to plastic waste management. It bridges the gap between waste reduction and resource recovery, ensuring a sustainable future where plastic waste is no longer an environmental burden but a valuable resource. , Claims:1.A genetically engineered microorganism capable of degrading synthetic plastic waste, comprising:
a) Modified enzymes with enhanced activity for breaking down polymers of polyethylene (PE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polypropylene (PP), and polystyrene (PS) into monomeric or oligomeric forms.
2.The microorganism as claimed in claim 1, wherein the modified enzymes include PETase, MHETase, AlkB, and StyB, engineered for enhanced substrate binding affinity, Improved thermostability, and accelerated reaction rates under varying environmental conditions.
3.The microorganism as claimed in claim 1, further comprising engineered genetic pathways that enable the conversion of plastic degradation products into value-added byproducts such as biofuels (e.g., ethanol, butanol), Bioplastics (e.g., polyhydroxyalkanoates), or Precursor chemicals like ethylene glycol or terephthalic acid.
4.The microorganism as claimed in claim 1, wherein the enzymatic modifications enable simultaneous degradation of multiple types of plastics, including but not limited to PET, PE, PP, and PS.
5.A method for biodegrading plastic waste using the genetically engineered microorganisms, comprising:
a) Culturing the microorganisms in the presence of plastic substrates,
b) Enabling biofilm formation on the plastic surface for enhanced enzymatic interaction,
c) Breaking down plastic polymers into degradation products, and
d) Collecting the degradation products for further conversion into industrially useful materials.
6.The method as claimed in claim 5, wherein the microorganisms are engineered to form biofilms on plastic surfaces, enhancing contact between enzymes and plastic polymers, thereby increasing the degradation efficiency.

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