Since several years, the polymer industry is under pressure to mitigate the environmental cost of petrol-based plastics. On that respect, biotechnology contributes to the gradual replacement of petrol-based chemistry and the development of new renewable products, leading to the closure of carbon circle. Enzymes add higher value to bio-based polymers by catalyzing not only their selective functionalization but also their synthesis under mild and controlled conditions. Enzymes belonging to the cutinase class demonstrated their ability both to hydrolyze and synthesize polyesters. In this work, the promising properties of cutinase 1 from <i>Thermobifida cellulosilytica</i> are described in terms of ability to catalyze the synthesis of aliphatic oligoesters in solvent-free conditions in a fully renewable context. Furthermore, cutinases catalyzes also the hydrolysis of various bio-based polyesters including poly(L-lactic acid) and poly(ethylene furanoate), thus enabling the targeted introduction of chemical functionalities on the polymeric surfaces. Data on reactivity and structural features confirm the potential of this enzyme for the green processing of bio-based polyesters.

<i>Thermobifida cellulosilytica</i> cutinase as a powerful tool for the synthesis and functionalization of biobased polyesters

253rd National Meeting (2017)

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Thermobifida cellulosilytica cutinase as a powerful tool for the synthesis and functionalization of biobased polyesters