View in EDS

Advances and challenges in enzymatic rubber degradation: Exploring genetic, molecular, and biotechnological aspects.

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Title: Advances and challenges in enzymatic rubber degradation: Exploring genetic, molecular, and biotechnological aspects.
Authors: Andler, Rodrigo1 (AUTHOR) randler@ucm.cl, Kasai, Daisuke2 (AUTHOR)
Source: Biotechnology Advances. May2026, Vol. 88, pN.PAG-N.PAG. 1p.
Subjects: Enzymes, Waste tires, Molecular genetics, Biotechnology, Waste recycling, Molecular biology, Biodegradation
Abstract: Rubber waste is one of the most persistent solid wastes of our times, mostly represented by end-of-life tires. While the biological origin of natural rubber makes it biodegradable, many tire components are not, and they make enzymatic attack by microorganisms extremely difficult. Despite the great multi-enzymatic catabolic capacity of various bacteria and fungi, there are currently no organisms or enzymes capable of effectively degrading vulcanized tire waste. However, biotechnological advances in enzymatic rubber degradation processes are opening new opportunities. The diversity of rubber oxygenases, the transcriptional regulation of their corresponding genes, and the downstream oxidation of oligo-isoprene aldehydes are also discussed in this review. This biotransformation is positioned as a potential enzymatic upcycling of rubber wastes. Although there have been significant advances at the molecular and bioprocess levels, there are several obstacles that must be solved to propose an efficient and scalable process. • Rubber oxygenases are essential in the degradation process of rubber. • Downstream processing of oligoisoprenoids for rubber upcycling. • The high complexity of tires limits degradation processes. • Need for integrative studies between fundamental and applied research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Copyright of Biotechnology Advances is the property of Elsevier B.V. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
Database: Engineering Source
Description
Abstract:Rubber waste is one of the most persistent solid wastes of our times, mostly represented by end-of-life tires. While the biological origin of natural rubber makes it biodegradable, many tire components are not, and they make enzymatic attack by microorganisms extremely difficult. Despite the great multi-enzymatic catabolic capacity of various bacteria and fungi, there are currently no organisms or enzymes capable of effectively degrading vulcanized tire waste. However, biotechnological advances in enzymatic rubber degradation processes are opening new opportunities. The diversity of rubber oxygenases, the transcriptional regulation of their corresponding genes, and the downstream oxidation of oligo-isoprene aldehydes are also discussed in this review. This biotransformation is positioned as a potential enzymatic upcycling of rubber wastes. Although there have been significant advances at the molecular and bioprocess levels, there are several obstacles that must be solved to propose an efficient and scalable process. • Rubber oxygenases are essential in the degradation process of rubber. • Downstream processing of oligoisoprenoids for rubber upcycling. • The high complexity of tires limits degradation processes. • Need for integrative studies between fundamental and applied research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
ISSN:07349750
DOI:10.1016/j.biotechadv.2026.108811