Genetic Modifications in Bacteria for the Degradation of Synthetic Polymers: A Review.

Synthetic polymers, commonly known as plastics, are currently present in all aspects of our lives. Although they are useful, they present the problem of what to do with them after their lifespan. There are currently mechanical and chemical methods to treat plastics, but these are methods that, among other disadvantages, can be expensive in terms of energy or produce polluting gases.

Genome-scale metabolic model of the versatile bacterium Pd1222.

A genome scale metabolic model of the bacterium has been constructed. The model containing 972 metabolic genes, 1,371 reactions, and 1,388 unique metabolites has been reconstructed. The model was used to carry out quantitative predictions of biomass yields on 10 different carbon sources under aerobic conditions.

Characterization of the Keratinolytic Activity of Three Strains and Impact of Their Co-Cultivation on This Activity.

In this study, we describe the characterization of three efficient chicken feather-degrading bacteria isolated from honeybee samples and assess the impact of their co-cultivation on this activity and antistaphylococcal activity. AD2 was the strain showing the highest keratinolytic activity (4000 U × mL), followed by AN1 and AD1, which both generated approximately 3000 U × mL. Moreover, a consortium constituted of these three strains was able to use chicken feathers as its sole nutrient source and growth in such conditions led to a significant increase in antibiotic production.

Characterization of Strains from Natural Honeybee Products with High Keratinolytic Activity and Antimicrobial Potential.

Two efficient feather-degrading bacteria were isolated from honeybee samples and identified as and based on 16S rRNA and genome sequencing. The strains were able to grow on chicken feathers as the sole carbon and nitrogen sources and degraded the feathers in a few days. The highest keratinase activity was detected by the CG1 strain (3800 U × mL), followed by AB7 (1450 U × mL).

Genome sequence analysis and characterization of Bacillus altitudinis B12, a polylactic acid- and keratin-degrading bacterium.

Keratin-rich wastes, mainly in the form of feathers, are recalcitrant residues generated in high amounts as by-products in chicken farms and food industry. Polylactic acid (PLA) is the second most common biodegradable polymer found in commercial plastics, which is not easily degraded by microbial activity. This work reports the 3.