Ideonella sakaiensis
| Ideonella sakaiensis | |
|---|---|
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| Diagram of I. sakaiensis breaking down PET plastic | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Bacteria |
| Phylum: | Proteobacteria |
| Class: | Betaproteobacteria |
| Order: | Burkholderiales |
| Family: | Comamonadaceae |
| Genus: | Ideonella |
| Species: | I. sakaiensis |
| Binomial name | |
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Ideonella sakaiensis Yoshida et al. 2016 |
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Ideonella sakaiensis is a bacterium from the genus Ideonella and family Comamonadaceae capable of breaking down PET plastic which was isolated from outside a plastic bottle recycling facility.
Ideonella sakaiensis was identified in 2016 by a team of researchers from Kyoto Institute of Technology and Keio University after collecting samples of PET debris in a search for bacteria which relied on the plastic for carbon growth. The bacterium first uses PETase, an enzyme that works with water, to break down the PET plastic. It then breaks it down further using MHETase,another enzyme that further reacts with water to break down the plastics into terephthalic acid and ethylene glycol, substances which on their own pose no threat to the environment.
The discovery of Ideonella sakaiensis has potential importance for the recycling process of PET plastics. Prior to its discovery, the only known consumers of PET were a small number of fungi including Pestalotiopsis microspora, and knowledge of the new species has spurred discussion about biodegradation as a method of recycling. The bacterium can currently break down a thin film of PET in a little over six weeks, so it is thought that any prospective applications in mass recycling programs will have to be preceded by enhancement of its abilities through genetic modification.
I. sakaiensis is Gram-negative, aerobic, and rod-shaped. It does not form spores. The individual cells of the organism are motile and have a single flagellum. I. sakaiensis tests positive for oxidase and catalase. The bacterium grows at a PH range of 5.5 to 9.0 (optimally 7 to 7.5) and a temperature of 15-42 °C (optimally at 30-37 °C). Through phylogenetic analysis, the species was shown to be affiliated to the genus Ideonella, and also related to Ideonella dechloratans and Ideonella azotifigens, justifying its scientific classification.
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