Synthesis of Modified Poly(vinyl Alcohol)s and Their Degradation Using an Enzymatic Cascade |
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| Authors: | M Sc Gerlis von Haugwitz B Sc Kian Donnelly M Sc Mara Di Filippo Dr Daniel Breite Max Phippard Dr Agnes Schulze Dr Ren Wei Dr Marcus Baumann Prof Dr Uwe T Bornscheuer |
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| Institution: | 1. Institute of Biochemistry, Dept. of Biotechnology & Enzyme Catalysis, Greifswald University, Felix-Hausdorff-Str. 4, 17487 Greifswald, Germany;2. School of Chemistry, Science Centre South, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland;3. Surfaces of Porous Membrane Filters, Leibniz Institute of Surface Engineering (IOM), Permoserstraße 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany;4. Aquapak Polymers Ltd, Hollymoor Point, Hollymoor Way, Rubery, B31 5HE Birmingham, UK |
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| Abstract: | Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) is a water-soluble synthetic vinyl polymer with remarkable physical properties including thermostability and viscosity. Its biodegradability, however, is low even though a large amount of PVA is released into the environment. Established physical-chemical degradation methods for PVA have several disadvantages such as high price, low efficiency, and secondary pollution. Biodegradation of PVA by microorganisms is slow and frequently involves pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ)-dependent enzymes, making it expensive due to the costly cofactor and hence unattractive for industrial applications. In this study, we present a modified PVA film with improved properties as well as a PQQ-independent novel enzymatic cascade for the degradation of modified and unmodified PVA. The cascade consists of four steps catalyzed by three enzymes with in situ cofactor recycling technology making this cascade suitable for industrial applications. |
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| Keywords: | Degradation Enzyme Cascade Enzyme Catalysis Plastic Poly(Vinyl Alcohol) |
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