Characterization of a novel esterase and construction of a Rhodococcus-Burkholderia consortium capable of catabolism bis (2-hydroxyethyl) terephthalate

Wankui Jiang; Jingxiang Sun; Weiliang Dong; Jie Zhou; Yujia Jiang; Wenming Zhang; Fengxue Xin; Min Jiang

doi:10.1016/j.envres.2023.117240

Characterization of a novel esterase and construction of a Rhodococcus-Burkholderia consortium capable of catabolism bis (2-hydroxyethyl) terephthalate

Environ Res. 2023 Dec 1;238(Pt 2):117240. doi: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.117240. Epub 2023 Sep 30.

Authors

Wankui Jiang¹, Jingxiang Sun¹, Weiliang Dong¹, Jie Zhou¹, Yujia Jiang¹, Wenming Zhang², Fengxue Xin³, Min Jiang⁴

Affiliations

¹ State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, 211816, PR China.
² State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, 211816, PR China; Jiangsu National Synergetic Innovation Center for Advanced Materials (SICAM), Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, 211816, PR China. Electronic address: zhangwm@njtech.edu.cn.
³ State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, 211816, PR China; Jiangsu National Synergetic Innovation Center for Advanced Materials (SICAM), Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, 211816, PR China. Electronic address: xinfengxue@njtech.edu.cn.
⁴ State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, 211816, PR China; Jiangsu National Synergetic Innovation Center for Advanced Materials (SICAM), Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, 211816, PR China.

PMID: 37783328
DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.117240

Abstract

Bis (2-hydroxyethyl) terephthalate (BHET) is one of the main compounds produced by enzymatic hydrolysis or chemical depolymerization of polyethylene terephthalate (PET). However, the lack of understanding on BHET microbial metabolism is a main factor limiting the bio-upcycling of PET. In this study, BHET-degrading strains of Rhodococcus biphenylivorans GA1 and Burkholderia sp. EG1 were isolated and identified, which can grow with BHET as the sole carbon source. Furthermore, a novel esterase gene betH was cloned from strain GA1, which encodes a BHET hydrolyzing esterase with the highest activity at 30 °C and pH 7.0. In addition, the co-culture containing strain GA1 and strain EG1 could completely degrade high concentration of BHET, eliminating the inhibition on strain GA1 caused by the accumulation of intermediate metabolite ethylene glycol (EG). This work will provide potential strains and a feasible strategy for PET bio-upcycling.

Keywords: Bis (2-hydroxyethyl) terephthalate; Catabolism; Esterase; Polyethylene terephthalate; Rhodococcus-Burkholderia consortium.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Esterases
Hydrolysis
Phthalic Acids* / metabolism
Polyethylene Terephthalates / chemistry
Polyethylene Terephthalates / metabolism
Rhodococcus* / metabolism

Substances

Esterases
terephthalic acid
Phthalic Acids
Polyethylene Terephthalates