Issue 2, 2017

Fully renewable polyesters via polycondensation catalyzed by Thermobifida cellulosilytica cutinase 1: an integrated approach

Abstract

The present study addresses comprehensively the problem of producing polyesters through sustainable processes while using fully renewable raw materials and biocatalysts. Polycondensation of bio-based dimethyl adipate with different diols was catalyzed by cutinase 1 from Thermobifida cellulosilytica (Thc_cut1) under solvent free and thin-film conditions. The biocatalyst was immobilized efficiently on a fully renewable cheap carrier based on milled rice husk. A multivariate factorial design demonstrated that Thc_cut1 is less sensitive to the presence of water in the system and it works efficiently under milder conditions (50 °C; 535 mbar) when compared to lipase B from Candida antarctica (CaLB), thus enabling energy savings. Experimental and computational investigations of cutinase 1 from Thermobifida cellulosilytica (Thc_cut1) disclosed structural and functional features that make this serine-hydrolase efficient in polycondensation reactions. Bioinformatic analysis performed with the BioGPS tool pointed out functional similarities with CaLB and provided guidelines for future engineering studies aiming, for instance, at introducing different promiscuous activities in the Thc_cut1 scaffold. The results set robust premises for a full exploitation of enzymes in environmentally and economically sustainable enzymatic polycondensation reactions.

Graphical abstract: Fully renewable polyesters via polycondensation catalyzed by Thermobifida cellulosilytica cutinase 1: an integrated approach

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
02 8 2016
Accepted
27 9 2016
First published
27 9 2016

Green Chem., 2017,19, 490-502

Fully renewable polyesters via polycondensation catalyzed by Thermobifida cellulosilytica cutinase 1: an integrated approach

A. Pellis, V. Ferrario, M. Cespugli, L. Corici, A. Guarneri, B. Zartl, E. Herrero Acero, C. Ebert, G. M. Guebitz and L. Gardossi, Green Chem., 2017, 19, 490 DOI: 10.1039/C6GC02142E

To request permission to reproduce material from this article, please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

If you are an author contributing to an RSC publication, you do not need to request permission provided correct acknowledgement is given.

If you are the author of this article, you do not need to request permission to reproduce figures and diagrams provided correct acknowledgement is given. If you want to reproduce the whole article in a third-party publication (excluding your thesis/dissertation for which permission is not required) please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

Read more about how to correctly acknowledge RSC content.

Social activity

Spotlight

Advertisements