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Title A novel process for poly(ethylene terephthalate) depolymerization via enzyme-catalyzed glycolysis
ID_Doc 29797
Authors de Castro, AM; Carniel, A
Title A novel process for poly(ethylene terephthalate) depolymerization via enzyme-catalyzed glycolysis
Year 2017
Published
DOI 10.1016/j.bej.2017.04.011
Abstract The discovery and improvement of processes for effective recycling of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) packages meet high-priority and short-term demands for the implementation of a circular economy. One of the most interesting approaches is enzyme-catalyzed depolymerization, which to date has been exclusively reported as hydrolysis reactions. In this paper, we describe a novel route for PET depolymerization using enzymes, via glycolysis reactions. Humicola insolens cutinase showed to act better at 60 degrees C, whereas Candida antarctica lipase B yielded more products at 37 degrees C. A comparison with hydrolysis reactions at the same conditions (temperature, enzyme loading) revealed that glycolysis favors the accumulation of more esterified end-products, whereas hydrolysis led to more end-products with free carboxyl groups. Molar fractions of the diesterified compound bis(2-hydroxyethyl terephthalate) of up to 0.88 was observed during glycolysis, revealing that it was the main depolymerization product. These findings add new relevant knowledge for the integration of depolymerization products in existing PET production industrial plants. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Author Keywords Poly(ethylene terephthalate); Lipase; Cutinase; Glycolysis; PET recycling; Depolymerization
Index Keywords Index Keywords
Document Type Other
Open Access Open Access
Source Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED)
EID WOS:000404199100008
WoS Category Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology; Engineering, Chemical
Research Area Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology; Engineering
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