Biocatalysis is a critical tool for the development of green polymer chemistry processes. In this context, one of several areas where biocatalysis could be useful is for polymer recycling and surface modification reactions. Current polymer surface modification and recycling methods are both energy and chemical intensive. On the other hand, enzyme based methods provide a mild and environment friendly alternative where chemical reactions are directed at the surface leaving the bulk untouched. Our group is developing cutinases as an efficient tool for cleavage of ester bonds on material surfaces. Phytopathogenic fungi secrete cutinases that degrade the plants outer cutin layer giving them access to interior plant tissues. This paper will report on the identification, synthesis and characterization of several cutinases from different microbial sources. A comparative analysis of the hydrolytic activity of these cutinases on several synthetic polyesters, e.g. polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polycaprolactone (PCL), polybutylene succinate (PBS), cellulose acetate and polyvinyl acetate, will be discussed. In addition, cutinase structure-stability-activity relationships will be discussed as well as current and future efforts towards the rational design of cutinases to further improve their catalytic efficiency

Cutinase paradigm: Sustainable biocatalysis for polymer surface modifications and plastic recycling

249th National Meeting (2015)

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