In daily life, polyolefin plastics, which consist of polymers with a carbon-carbon backbone, have become widely used in diverse areas. Because of their stable chemical composition and poor biodegradability, polyolefin plastics continue to accumulate globally, causing serious environmental pollution and ecological crises. In recent years, considerable attention has been drawn to the biological breakdown of polyolefin plastics. Polyolefin plastic waste biodegradation is made possible by the numerous microbes in natural environments, and the existence of microbes capable of this process has been reported. Progress in biodegradation research on microbial resources and polyolefin plastic biodegradation processes is presented in this review, along with an analysis of existing difficulties and a projection of future research priorities.
The escalating limitations on plastic use have propelled bio-based plastics, particularly polylactic acid (PLA), into a prominent role as a substitute for traditional plastics in the present market, and are universally viewed as holding significant potential for future growth. Nonetheless, a few misconceptions still exist about bio-based plastics, their complete decomposition relying on particular composting environments. Bio-based plastics, when discharged into the natural environment, could experience a gradual decomposition process. These materials, like traditional petroleum-based plastics, could have adverse consequences for human health, biodiversity, and the intricate functioning of ecosystems. The amplified production and market expansion of PLA plastics in China demand a comprehensive and strengthened approach to investigating and managing the life cycle of PLA and other bio-based plastics. Within the context of the ecological environment, in-situ biodegradability and recycling of bio-based plastics with challenging recycling properties are essential areas of focus. Molecular cytogenetics A review of PLA plastic, encompassing its properties, creation, and commercial application, is presented. The current understanding of microbial and enzymatic degradation methods for PLA is also reviewed, along with a discussion of its biodegradation mechanisms. In addition, two methods for disposing of PLA plastic waste are proposed, involving microbial treatment at the source and enzymatic recycling in a closed loop. In summary, a presentation of the projected trends and developments concerning PLA plastics is given.
The consequences of inadequate plastic handling have become a significant global pollution issue. Along with the recycling of plastics and the use of biodegradable plastics, an alternative option involves the search for effective methods to degrade plastic waste. Treatment of plastics with biodegradable enzymes or microorganisms is gaining attention due to the benefits of gentle conditions and the prevention of further environmental problems. Biodegradation of plastics hinges on the development of highly effective depolymerizing microorganisms or enzymes. Nevertheless, the existing analytical and detection approaches fall short of fulfilling the criteria for effectively screening plastic biodegraders. It follows that the need for creating rapid and accurate analytical strategies for identifying biodegraders and evaluating biodegradation efficacy is substantial. This review details the recent applications of common analytical methods, encompassing high-performance liquid chromatography, infrared spectroscopy, gel permeation chromatography, the assessment of zone of clearance, and fluorescence analysis, in the study of plastic biodegradation. This review may contribute to standardizing the characterization and analysis of plastics biodegradation, enabling the development of improved and more effective strategies for screening plastics biodegraders.
The large-scale manufacture and irresponsible use of plastics triggered a serious environmental pollution problem. medical clearance To tackle the adverse impact of plastic waste on the environment, an enzymatic degradation approach was presented to expedite the decomposition of plastics. Plastics-degrading enzyme performance, encompassing activity and thermal stability, has been upgraded using protein engineering techniques. Polymer-binding modules, in addition, were found to augment the enzymatic degradation of plastics. This article summarizes a Chem Catalysis publication investigating how binding modules affect the enzymatic hydrolysis of PET at high-solids concentrations. Graham et al. found that PET enzymatic degradation was accelerated by binding modules at low PET concentrations (less than 10 wt%), but the enhanced degradation was not observed at higher concentrations (10-20 wt%). For the industrial application of polymer binding modules in plastics degradation, this work proves invaluable.
Currently, the detrimental effects of white pollution are pervasive, impacting human society, the economy, ecosystems, and public health, thereby presenting formidable obstacles to the advancement of a circular bioeconomy. China's position as the world's premier plastic producer and consumer mandates a substantial commitment to controlling plastic pollution. From a broader perspective, this paper examined the plastic degradation and recycling strategies in the United States, Europe, Japan, and China, measuring the available literature and patents in this field. The current technological state, considering research and development trends and prominent countries and institutions, was also assessed. Furthermore, the opportunities and challenges for plastic degradation and recycling in China were explored. Ultimately, we propose future advancements encompassing policy integration, technological pathways, industrial growth, and public understanding.
Synthetic plastics are a crucial sector within the national economy, extensively utilized in numerous fields. Irregular output, pervasive plastic consumption, and the resultant plastic waste have led to a persistent environmental accumulation, significantly adding to the global stream of solid waste and environmental plastic pollution, a challenge that demands a global approach. A thriving research area has emerged around biodegradation, now a viable method for plastic waste disposal in a circular economy. Recent years have witnessed significant progress in the identification, isolation, and screening of plastic-degrading microbial resources, along with their subsequent genetic engineering for enhanced functionality. These breakthroughs provide novel solutions for addressing microplastic contamination in the environment and developing closed-loop systems for plastic waste bio-recycling. In a different vein, employing microorganisms (pure cultures or consortia) to process various plastic degradation products into biodegradable plastics and other compounds with high economic value is extremely significant, thus promoting a circular plastic economy and decreasing the carbon footprint of plastics. A Special Issue on the biotechnology of plastic waste degradation and valorization highlighted three facets of research progress: extracting microbial and enzymatic resources for plastic biodegradation, creating and refining plastic depolymerases, and utilizing biological methods to transform plastic breakdown products into high-value materials. This issue features 16 papers, a combination of reviews, comments, and research articles, offering valuable references and guidance for the future development of plastic waste degradation and valorization biotechnology.
The purpose of this investigation is to determine the effectiveness of Tuina, when used in conjunction with moxibustion, in mitigating the symptoms of breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL). A crossover, controlled, randomized trial was carried out at our institution. Ro 20-1724 For all BCRL patients, two distinct groups, A and B, were established. During the first four weeks, Group A received tuina and moxibustion therapy, whereas Group B was treated with pneumatic circulation and compression garments. From weeks 5 through 6, a washout period was implemented. Group A, during the second period (weeks seven to ten), underwent pneumatic circulation and compression garment therapy, distinct from Group B's tuina and moxibustion treatments. Therapeutic effectiveness was evaluated based on affected arm volume, circumference, and swelling scores on the Visual Analog Scale. In terms of the findings, 40 patients were enrolled, and 5 instances were removed from the analysis. Both traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and complete decongestive therapy (CDT) treatments were found to reduce the volume of the affected arm post-intervention, achieving statistical significance (p < 0.05). At visit 3, the endpoint observation showed that TCM treatment's effect surpassed that of CDT, with statistical significance (P<.05). Subsequent to TCM treatment, a statistically significant decrease in arm circumference was found at the elbow crease and 10 centimeters up the arm, compared to the pre-treatment readings (P < 0.05). Following CDT treatment, a statistically significant reduction (P<.05) was observed in arm circumference, measured 10cm proximal to the wrist crease, at the elbow crease, and 10cm proximal to the elbow crease. The arm circumference, 10cm above the elbow crease, was significantly smaller in TCM-treated participants than in CDT-treated participants at the third visit (P<.05). By comparing VAS scores for swelling after and before TCM and CDT treatment, a marked improvement is apparent, signifying statistical significance (P<.05). The TCM treatment approach, assessed at visit 3, produced a greater subjective alleviation of swelling compared to the CDT method, statistically significant (P<.05). Combining moxibustion with tuina therapy demonstrably alleviates BCRL symptoms, as evidenced by reduced arm volume and circumference, and the lessening of swelling. Trial registration information is accessible through the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (Registration Number ChiCTR1800016498).