Unveiling the enzymatic pathway of UMG-SP2 urethanase: insights into polyurethane degradation at the atomic level.

The recently discovered metagenomic urethanases UMG-SP1, UMG-SP2, and UMG-SP3 have emerged as promising tools to establish a bio-based recycling approach for polyurethane (PU) waste. These enzymes are capable of hydrolyzing urethane bonds in low molecular weight dicarbamates as well as in thermoplastic PU and the amide bond in polyamide employing a Ser-Ser -Lys triad for catalysis, similar to members of the amidase signature protein superfamily. Understanding the catalytic mechanism of these urethanases is crucial for enhancing their enzymatic activity and improving PU bio-recycling processes.

Atomistic adsorption of PETase onto large-scale PET 3D-models that mimic reality.

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) has been widely used in plastic products, leading to massive PET waste accumulation in ecosystems worldwide. Efforts to find greener processes for dealing with post-consumer PET waste led to the discovery of PET-degrading enzymes such as PETase (PETase). studies have provided valuable contributions to this field, shedding light on the catalytic mechanisms and substrate interactions in many PET hydrolase enzymes.

Pumpkin seed protein as a carrier for Astaxanthin: Molecular characterization of interactions and implications for stability.

This study investigated pumpkin seed protein (PSP) as a carrier for astaxanthin (AST). Interaction mechanisms revealed through fluorescence spectroscopy and molecular docking, showed that hydrogen bonds and Van der Waals forces form the PSP-AST complex. AST binding altered PSP's secondary structure, increasing α-helix (7.

Cratylia mollis lectin reduces inflammatory burden induced by multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in diabetic wounds.

In diabetes, tissue repair is impaired, increasing susceptibility to Staphylococcus aureus infections, a pathogen commonly found in wounds. The emergence of S. aureus strains that are highly resistant to antimicrobial agents highlights the urgent need for alternative therapeutic options.

Structural and Functional Characterization of an Amidase Targeting a Polyurethane for Sustainable Recycling.

Global plastic production exceeded 400 million tons in 2022, urgently demanding improved waste management and recycling strategies for a circular plastic economy. While the enzymatic hydrolysis of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) has become feasible on industrial scales, efficient enzymes targeting other hydrolyzable plastic types, such as polyurethanes (PURs), are lacking. Recently, enzymes of the amidase signature (AS) family, capable of cleaving urethane bonds in a polyether-PUR analog and a linear polyester-PUR, have been identified.