Substrate Report for: Polybutylene-succinate

Poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) films with different molecular weights were enzymatically degraded by cutinase. Changes in the properties of the films before and after enzymatic degradation were studied through scanning electron microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetry, X-ray powder diffraction, proton nuclear magnetic resonance, and gel-permeation chromatography analysis. The weight loss of the films initially decreased and then increased with increasing molecular weight. Crystallinity was inversely proportional to weight loss and tended to decrease with prolonged degradation time. Crystalline and amorphous regions were simultaneously degraded. The thermal stability of PBS films decreased after enzymatic degradation. PBS was the main component of the enzymatically degraded polymers. The molecular weights of the films did not considerably change before and after degradation by cutinase.

The enzyme-catalyzed synthesis of fully biobased poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-butylene succinate) (poly(HB-co-BS)) copolyesters is reported for the first time. Different Candida antarctica lipase B (CALB)-catalyzed copolyesters were produced in solution, via a one-step or a two-step process from 1,4-butanediol, diethyl succinate, and synthesized telechelic hydroxylated poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) oligomers (PHB-diol). The influence of the ester/hydroxyl functionality ratio, catalyst amount, PHB-diol oligomer chain length, hydroxybutyrate (HB) and butylene succinate (BS) contents, and the nature of the solvent were investigated. The two-step process allowed the synthesis of copolyesters of high molar masses (Mn up to 18000 g/mol), compared to the one-step process (Mn approximately 8000 g/mol), without thermal degradation. The highest molar masses were obtained with diphenyl ether as solvent, compared with dibenzyl ether or anisole. During the two-step process, the transesterification rate between the HB and BS segments (i) increased with increasing amount of catalyst and decreasing molar mass of the PHB-diol oligomer, (ii) decreased when anisole was used as the solvent, and (iii) was not influenced by the HB/BS ratio. Tendencies toward block or random macromolecular architectures were observed as a function of the reaction time, the PHB-diol oligomer chain length, and the chosen solvent. Immobilized CALB-catalyzed copolyesters were thermally stable up to 200 degrees C. The crystalline structure of the poly(HB-co-BS) copolyesters depended on the HB/BS ratio and the average sequence length of the segments. The crystalline content, Tm and Tc decreased with increasing HB content and the randomness of the copolymer structure.

We used biodegradable plastics as fermentation substrates for the filamentous fungus Aspergillus oryzae. This fungus could grow under culture conditions that contained emulsified poly-(butylene succinate) (PBS) and emulsified poly-(butylene succinate-co-adipate) (PBSA) as the sole carbon source, and could digest PBS and PBSA, as indicated by clearing of the culture supernatant. We purified the PBS-degrading enzyme from the culture supernatant, and its molecular mass was determined as 21.6 kDa. The enzyme was identified as cutinase based on internal amino acid sequences. Specific activities against PBS, PBSA and poly-(lactic acid) (PLA) were determined as 0.42 U/mg, 11 U/mg and 0.067 U/mg, respectively. To obtain a better understanding of how the enzyme recognizes and hydrolyzes PBS/PBSA, we investigated the environment of the catalytic pocket, which is divided into carboxylic acid and alcohol recognition sites. The affinities for different substrates depended on the carbon chain length of the carboxylic acid in the substrate. Competitive inhibition modes were exhibited by carboxylic acids and alcohols that consisted of C4-C6 and C3-C8 chain lengths, respectively. Determination of the affinities for different chemicals indicated that the most preferred substrate for the enzyme would consist of butyric acid and n-hexanol.

Researchers and companies have increasingly been drawn to biodegradable polymers and composites because of their environmental resilience, eco-friendliness, and suitability for a range of applications. For various uses, biodegradable fabrics use biodegradable polymers or natural fibers as reinforcement. Many approaches have been taken to achieve better compatibility for tailored and improved material properties. In this article, PBS (polybutylene succinate) was chosen as the main topic due to its excellent properties and intensive interest among industrial and researchers. PBS is an environmentally safe biopolymer that has some special properties, such as good clarity and processability, a shiny look, and flexibility, but it also has some drawbacks, such as brittleness. PBS-based natural fiber composites are completely biodegradable and have strong physical properties. Several research studies on PBS-based composites have been published, including physical, mechanical, and thermal assessments of the properties and its ability to replace petroleum-based materials, but no systematic analysis of up-to-date research evidence is currently available in the literature. The aim of this analysis is to highlight recent developments in PBS research and production, as well as its natural fiber composites. The current research efforts focus on the synthesis, copolymers and biodegradability for its properties, trends, challenges and prospects in the field of PBS and its composites also reviewed in this paper.

An extracellular lipase from Amycolatopsis mediteranei (AML) with potential applications in process biotechnology was recently cloned and examined in this laboratory. In the present study, the 3D structure of AML was elucidated by comparative modelling. AML lacked the 'lid' structure observed in most true lipases and shared similarities with plastic degrading enzymes. Modelling and substrate specificity studies showed that AML was a cutinase with a relatively exposed active site and specificity for medium chain fatty acyl moieties. AML rapidly hydrolysed the aliphatic plastics poly(sigma-caprolactone) and poly(1,4-butylene succinate) extended with 1,6-diisocyanatohexane under mild conditions. These plastics are known to be slow to degrade in landfill. Poly(L-lactic acid) was not hydrolysed by AML, nor was the aromatic plastic Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET). The specificity of AML is partly explained by active site topology and analysis reveals that minor changes in the active site region can have large effects on substrate preference. These findings show that extracellular Amycolatopsis enzymes are capable of degrading a wider range of plastics than is generally recognised. The potential for application of AML in the bioremediation of plastics is discussed.

Aspergillus fumigatus strain 76T-3 formed clear zones on agar plates containing emulsified polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB), polyethylene succinate (PES), polybutylene succinate (PBS), polycaprolactone (PCL), or polylactide (PLA). The strain grew well at 40 C in Sabouraud Dextrose Broth. Solution-casted PHB films were almost completely degraded after incubation with 76T-3 at 45 C for 17 h. An extracellular polyester-degrading enzyme was purified from the supernatant of 76T-3 cultures in basal medium containing PHB as the sole carbon source. Zymography results portrayed that the purified enzyme degraded PHB, PES, and PBS but not PCL or PLA. The amino acid sequence obtained from LC-MS/MS identified this enzyme to be a PHB depolymerase with a molecular mass of 57 kDa. The optimal reaction condition for the enzyme was pH 6.4 at 55 C. The recombinant PHB depolymerase (rPhaZ) expressed in E. coli showed the enzyme can act on PHB only and not on PES or PBS.

Poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) films with different molecular weights were enzymatically degraded by cutinase. Changes in the properties of the films before and after enzymatic degradation were studied through scanning electron microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetry, X-ray powder diffraction, proton nuclear magnetic resonance, and gel-permeation chromatography analysis. The weight loss of the films initially decreased and then increased with increasing molecular weight. Crystallinity was inversely proportional to weight loss and tended to decrease with prolonged degradation time. Crystalline and amorphous regions were simultaneously degraded. The thermal stability of PBS films decreased after enzymatic degradation. PBS was the main component of the enzymatically degraded polymers. The molecular weights of the films did not considerably change before and after degradation by cutinase.

The enzyme-catalyzed synthesis of fully biobased poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-butylene succinate) (poly(HB-co-BS)) copolyesters is reported for the first time. Different Candida antarctica lipase B (CALB)-catalyzed copolyesters were produced in solution, via a one-step or a two-step process from 1,4-butanediol, diethyl succinate, and synthesized telechelic hydroxylated poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) oligomers (PHB-diol). The influence of the ester/hydroxyl functionality ratio, catalyst amount, PHB-diol oligomer chain length, hydroxybutyrate (HB) and butylene succinate (BS) contents, and the nature of the solvent were investigated. The two-step process allowed the synthesis of copolyesters of high molar masses (Mn up to 18000 g/mol), compared to the one-step process (Mn approximately 8000 g/mol), without thermal degradation. The highest molar masses were obtained with diphenyl ether as solvent, compared with dibenzyl ether or anisole. During the two-step process, the transesterification rate between the HB and BS segments (i) increased with increasing amount of catalyst and decreasing molar mass of the PHB-diol oligomer, (ii) decreased when anisole was used as the solvent, and (iii) was not influenced by the HB/BS ratio. Tendencies toward block or random macromolecular architectures were observed as a function of the reaction time, the PHB-diol oligomer chain length, and the chosen solvent. Immobilized CALB-catalyzed copolyesters were thermally stable up to 200 degrees C. The crystalline structure of the poly(HB-co-BS) copolyesters depended on the HB/BS ratio and the average sequence length of the segments. The crystalline content, Tm and Tc decreased with increasing HB content and the randomness of the copolymer structure.

A gene encoding cutinase from Fusarium solani was cloned and overexpressed in Pichia pastoris. The recombinant cutinase with a molecular weight of 24 kDa was then purified to homogeneity. The enzyme presents degradation capacity for poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) and exhibits the optimum pH and temperature of 8.0 and 50 C, respectively. Enzyme activity is enhanced by K+ and Na+ and inhibited by Zn2+,Fe2+ ,Mn2+, and Co2+. The inhibitions of different chemicals on recombinant enzyme activity were examined. EDTA and b-mercaptoethanol exert significant inhibitory effect. The degradation of PBS films in the presence of the recombinant enzyme was further studied. Results showed that enzymatic degradation is a rapid process, and the PBS fi lms were degraded completely after approximately 6 h. The characteristics of PBS films after degradation were analyzed. With the extension of degradation time, the surfaces of PBS films became rougher and holes appeared with a gradually increasing trend. Differential scanning calorimetry and scanning electron microscopy analyses revealed that both amorphous and crystalline regions of PBS were degraded by the recombinant enzyme. Wide-angle X-ray diffractometer also indicated the crystallinity of PBS has a gradual downward trend with the extension of degradation time. Gel permeation chromatography showed the molecular weight of PBS has no obvious change before and after degradation.

Only two polyethylene glycol terephthalate (PET)-degrading enzymes have been reported, and their mechanism for the biochemical degradation of PET remains unclear. To identify a novel PET-degrading enzyme, a putative cutinase gene (cut190) was cloned from the thermophile Saccharomonospora viridis AHK190 and expressed in Escherichia coli Rosetta-gami B (DE3). Mutational analysis indicated that substitution of Ser226 with Pro and Arg228 with Ser yielded the highest activity and thermostability. The Ca2+ ion enhanced the enzyme activity and thermostability of the wild-type and mutant Cut190. Circular dichroism suggested that the Ca2+ changes the tertiary structure of the Cut190 (S226P/R228S), which has optimal activity at 65-75 degrees C and pH 6.5-8.0 in the presence of 20 % glycerol. The enzyme was stable over a pH range of 5-9 and at temperatures up to 65 degrees C for 24 h with 40 % activity remaining after incubation for 1 h at 70 degrees C. The Cut190 (S226P/R228S) efficiently hydrolyzed various aliphatic and aliphatic-co-aromatic polyester films. Furthermore, the enzyme degraded the PET film above 60 degrees C. Therefore, Cut190 is the novel-reported PET-degrading enzyme with the potential for industrial applications in polyester degradation, monomer recycling, and PET surface modification. Thus, the Cut190 will be a useful tool to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of the PET degradation, Ca2+ activation, and stabilization.

Pseudozyma antarctica JCM 10317 exhibits a strong degradation activity for biodegradable plastics (BPs) such as agricultural mulch films composed of poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) and poly(butylene succinate-co-adipate) (PBSA). An enzyme named PaE was isolated and the gene encoding PaE was cloned from the strain by functional complementation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The deduced amino acid sequence of PaE contains 198 amino acids with a predicted molecular weight of 20,362.41. High identity was observed between this sequence and that of cutinase-like enzymes (CLEs) (61-68%); therefore, the gene encoding PaE was named PaCLE1. The specific activity of PaE against emulsified PBSA was 54.8+/-6.3 U/mg. In addition to emulsified BPs, PaE degraded solid films of PBS, PBSA, poly(epsilon-caprolactone), and poly(lactic acid).

We used biodegradable plastics as fermentation substrates for the filamentous fungus Aspergillus oryzae. This fungus could grow under culture conditions that contained emulsified poly-(butylene succinate) (PBS) and emulsified poly-(butylene succinate-co-adipate) (PBSA) as the sole carbon source, and could digest PBS and PBSA, as indicated by clearing of the culture supernatant. We purified the PBS-degrading enzyme from the culture supernatant, and its molecular mass was determined as 21.6 kDa. The enzyme was identified as cutinase based on internal amino acid sequences. Specific activities against PBS, PBSA and poly-(lactic acid) (PLA) were determined as 0.42 U/mg, 11 U/mg and 0.067 U/mg, respectively. To obtain a better understanding of how the enzyme recognizes and hydrolyzes PBS/PBSA, we investigated the environment of the catalytic pocket, which is divided into carboxylic acid and alcohol recognition sites. The affinities for different substrates depended on the carbon chain length of the carboxylic acid in the substrate. Competitive inhibition modes were exhibited by carboxylic acids and alcohols that consisted of C4-C6 and C3-C8 chain lengths, respectively. Determination of the affinities for different chemicals indicated that the most preferred substrate for the enzyme would consist of butyric acid and n-hexanol.

A purified lipase from the yeast Cryptococcus sp. strain S-2 exhibited remote homology to proteins belonging to the cutinase family rather than to lipases. This enzyme could effectively degrade the high-molecular-weight compound polylactic acid, as well as other biodegradable plastics, including polybutylene succinate, poly (epsilon-caprolactone), and poly(3-hydroxybutyrate).

The gene encoding a poly(DL-lactic acid) (PLA) depolymerase from Paenibacillus amylolyticus strain TB-13 was cloned and overexpressed in Escherichia coli. The purified recombinant PLA depolymerase, PlaA, exhibited degradation activities toward various biodegradable polyesters, such as poly(butylene succinate), poly(butylene succinate-co-adipate), poly(ethylene succinate), and poly(epsilon-caprolactone), as well as PLA. The monomeric lactic acid was detected as the degradation product of PLA. The substrate specificity toward triglycerides and p-nitrophenyl esters indicated that PlaA is a type of lipase. The gene encoded 201 amino acid residues, including the conserved pentapeptide Ala-His-Ser-Met-Gly, present in the lipases of mesophilic Bacillus species. The identity of the amino acid sequence of PlaA with Bacillus lipases was no more than 45 to 50%, and some of its properties were different from those of these lipases.

A gene encoding poly(tetramethylene succinate), PBS, depolymerase, pbsA, has been cloned from Acidovorax delafieldii strain BS-3 chromosomal DNA. The clone expressed in Escherichia coli showed the ability to degrade both PBS and poly[(tetramethylene succinate)-co-adipate] that are kinds of biodegradable plastics. PBS depolymerase was considered to be a kind of lipase, since it also degrades olive oil. It had no apparent hydrophobic-amino-acid-rich region which exists in other known plastic-degrading enzymes. From the result of amino acid homology search, PbsA was found to have some similarities with lipases of Streptomyces sp. and Mollaxella sp. In the motif surrounding the active site Ser residue (Gly-X1-Ser-X2-Gly), PbsA was revealed to have a Trp residue in the X1 position instead of His which is most likely found in other bacterial lipases.

Crystals of an aliphatic polyester, poly(tetramethylene succinate) (PBS) are investigated using transmission electron microscopy. Single crystals grown from a 0.01 wt % dichlorobenzene solution show a terrace-like morphology above 65 degreC and a leaflike one at lower temperatures. The molecules are packed perpendicular to the basal plane of the single crystals, and twin crystals with a (110) twin plane are frequently observed. The thickness of the single crystal lamellae increases smoothly with increasing crystallization temperature. Lattice parameters of the PBS crystal in the monoclinic unit cell are determined from the electron diffraction patterns of the single crystals and stretched films as a = 0.523 nm, b = 0.908 nm, c = 1.079 nm, and beta = 123.87degre. The dimension of the c-axis is shorter than the value calculated from a fully extended chain conformation, as has already been found for other aliphatic polyesters. Two types of negative spherulites are observed according to growth temperature.