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September 8, 2025 - GTU Office of Press and Public Relations Plastic is one of the major environmental problems, frequently used in daily life but remaining in nature for hundreds of years without decomposing. Researchers from the Department of Bioengineering at Gebze Technical University (GTU) develop a new enzyme that could offer a biotechnological solution to this issue.
The research team has produced and characterized an enzyme named PETase, derived from the bacterium Kibdelosporangium aridum, in the laboratory. This enzyme stands out for its ability to break down PET plastics (such as bottles and textile products) at high temperatures. In the study, the enzyme was immobilized within a specialized material, making it both more durable and efficient. Its ability to retain activity even at temperatures as high as 100°C makes it a strong candidate for the biological recycling of plastics.
The researchers emphasize that this study could contribute to reducing plastic waste and making recycling processes more environmentally-friendly.
📄 Paper's Details Title: A novel thermostable PETase from Kibdelosporangium aridum: Heterologous expression, immobilization and poly(ethylene terephthalate) decomposition applications Journal: Journal of Cleaner Production Year: 2025 DOI: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2025.145624
Authors: GTU Department of Bioengineering alumni: Ayşe Nurbanu Çavuş, Ali Batuhan Çifer, Kübra Akdoğan Research Assistant: Buse Çaloğlu, Department of Bioengineering, Faculty of Engineering, Gebze Technical University Lecturer Mine Nazan Kerimak-Öner (PhD), Department of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, İzmit Vocational School, Kocaeli University Prof. Deniz Yıldırım, Department of Chemical Engineering, Ceyhan Faculty of Engineering, Çukurova University Prof. Barış Binay, Department of Bioengineering, Faculty of Engineering, Gebze Technical University |
