Screening of polyurethane-degrading microbes using a quenching fluorescence probe by microfluidic droplet sorting

• Published in: Chemosphere (Oxford) 2024-09, Vol.364, p.143060, Article 143060
• Main Authors: Xia, Wei, Lin, Haohong, Zhou, Xinyu, Wang, Yihu, Cao, Shixiang, Liu, Jiawei, Xu, Anming, Dong, Weiliang, Jiang, Min
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Degradation pathway; Fluorescence-activated droplet sorting (FADS) pipeline; Polyurethane; PU-Degrading microorganisms
• ISSN: 0045-6535; 1879-1298; 1879-1298
• DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.143060

Excessive use of polyurethane (PU) polymers has led contributed to serious environmental pollution. The plastic recycling technology using microorganisms and enzymes as catalysts offers a promising green and low-carbon approach for managing plastic waste. However, current methods for screening PU-degrading strains suffer from drawbacks such as being time-consuming and inefficient. Herein, we present a novel approach for screening PU-degrading microorganisms using a quenching fluorescent probe along with the fluorescence-activated droplet sorting (FADS). The FPAP could specifically recognize the 4,4′-methylenedianiline (MDA) derivates released from PU degradation, with fluorescence quenching as a response. Based on the approach, we successfully screen two PU-degrading strains (Burkholderia sp. W38 and Bacillus sp. C1). After 20 d of cultivation, strain W38 and C1 could degrade 41.58% and 31.45% of polyester-PU film, respectively. Additionally, three metabolites were identified during the degradation of PU monomer (2,4-toluene diamine, 2,4-TDA) and a proposed degradation pathway was established. Consequently, the fluorescence probe integrated with microfluidic droplet systems, demonstrates potential for the development of innovative PU-biocatalysts. Furthermore, the identification of the 2,4-TDA degradation pathway provides valuable insights that can propel advancements in the field of PU biodegradation. [Display omitted] •A novel approach for screening PU-degrading microorganisms using a quenching fluorescent probe along with the FADS.•Established a high-throughput screening method for PU-degrading microorganisms using a quenching fluorescence probe by microfluidic droplet system.•Two PU-degrading strains isolated were identified as Burkholderia sp. W38 and Bacillus sp. C1.•Three metabolites were identified during the degradation of 2,4-TDA and its degradation pathway was proposed.