Enzymes - GoKawiil

Research review maps limits of enzymes in breaking down plastics like PET

A compiled body of scientific literature examines how microbial and engineered enzymes degrade synthetic polymers, with much of the progress concentrated on PET plastics through hydrolase and cutinase-based approaches. The references trace advances from early enzymatic surface modification studies to more recent engineered PET depolymerases capable of breaking down and recycling plastic bottles at scale.

nature.com · 2026-09-16

Researchers devise enzyme-based recycling method to produce thiophosphate compounds

Scientists have outlined a new enzymatic approach that reuses byproducts to synthesize thiophosphate molecules, compounds valued for their applications in chemistry and biology. The method relies on biological catalysts rather than traditional chemical synthesis routes, offering a more sustainable pathway to these materials.

nature.com · 2026-08-26