Engineered microbial biocatalysts can play a role both in the production of green monomers and in the repurposing of petroleum-derived plastics; this talk mainly addresses the latter application. The goal of using microbes to metabolize plastic waste is in many ways similar to the goal of enabling microbial utilization of lignocellulosic biomass and here we discuss some of these commonalities. Like lignocellulosic biomass, the heterogeneity of plastic waste presents challenges relative to microbial utilization of a single substrate such as glucose. The low aqueous solubility of some of these compounds, and their potentially inhibitory effects on microbial metabolism, are reminiscent of the challenges of lignin valorization. Here, we describe methods for characterizing and interpreting microbial utilization of these substrates by both model and non-model organisms. Finally, biological and process-based methods for improving bio-availability of these molecules will be presented.

Characterizing and improving microbial utilization of heterogenous substrates

Fall 2022 abstracts, posters, and presentations will launch in mid-September.

ACS Fall 2022

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.