Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41507577›Full record

ArticleBiodegradation2026

Enzymatic and environmental degradation of natural rubber-PHBV polymer blends.

Carina Frank, Nina Grujicic, Stephanie Strutz, Lhamo Kelsang Yachungtsang, Gregor Trimmel, Lukas Miksch, Lars Gutow, Reinhard Saborowski, Manfred Nachtnebel, Franz Stelzer and 1 more

Abstract read
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In one paragraph

Article in Biodegradation, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

11 authors.

Carina FrankAcib GmbH, Krenngasse 32, 8010, Graz, Austria.
Nina GrujicicInstitute for Molecular Biotechnology, Graz University of Technology, NAWI Graz, Petersgasse 14, 8010, Graz, Austria.
Stephanie StrutzAcib GmbH, Krenngasse 32, 8010, Graz, Austria.
Lhamo Kelsang YachungtsangAcib GmbH, Krenngasse 32, 8010, Graz, Austria.
Gregor TrimmelInstitute for Chemistry and Technology of Materials, Graz University of Technology, NAWI Graz, Stremayrgasse 9, 8010, Graz, Austria.
Lukas MikschAlfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Am Handelshafen 12, 27570, Bremerhaven, Germany.
Lars GutowAlfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Am Handelshafen 12, 27570, Bremerhaven, Germany.
Reinhard SaborowskiAlfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Am Handelshafen 12, 27570, Bremerhaven, Germany.
Manfred NachtnebelGraz Centre for Electron Microscopy, Steyrergasse 17, 8010, Graz, Austria.
Franz StelzerInstitute for Chemistry and Technology of Materials, Graz University of Technology, NAWI Graz, Stremayrgasse 9, 8010, Graz, Austria. franz.stelzer@tugraz.at.
Anita Emmerstorfer-AugustinAcib GmbH, Krenngasse 32, 8010, Graz, Austria. emmerstorfer-augustin@tugraz.at.

Funding

BioTechMed-Graz Young Researcher GroupEuropean Commission 860407Österreichische Forschungsförderungsgesellschaft COMET 872161
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Bio-based and biodegradable polymer blends are promising alternatives to conventional plastics, yet their environmental fate remains poorly understood. Here, we investigated the enzymatic and environmental degradation of natural rubber (NR) blended with poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) using recombinant enzymes produced in Escherichia coli and Komagataella phaffii. Three PHB depolymerases from Pseudomonas lemoignei (PlDP), Acidovorax sp TP4 (AsDP), and Ralstonia pickettii (RpDP) were isolated and analyzed for thermal and pH stability. All depolymerases efficiently degraded the PHB/PHBV fraction in films and blends, whereas NR was largely resistant to degradation. To enhance rubber degradation, the latex-clearing protein from Streptomyces sp. K30 (Lcp_Ssp) was produced recombinantly and applied. It showed significant activity on NR substrates, including pretreated PHB-NR blends, demonstrating a synergistic two-step enzymatic process. Scanning electron microscopy and weight-loss assays confirmed selective PHB/PHBV degradation. Separate seawater pH-Stat degradation experiments under environmentally relevant conditions with four hydrolytic enzymes (protease, lipase, esterase, and PlDP), showed highest activity of PlDP on PHB/PHBV-NR blends. Additionally, incubation in estuarine mud revealed progressive surface erosion and pore formation, particularly in PHB-rich blends, highlighting the role of PHB/PHBV in facilitating overall biodegradation. This comprehensive assessment of enzymatic and environmental degradation processes of PHB/PHBV-NR composites provides information to design fully bio-based, degradable polymer materials for sustainable applications.

Indexed as

Bacterial ProteinsCarboxylic Ester HydrolasesPolyestersRubberBiodegradation, EnvironmentalComamonadaceaeEscherichia coliHydrogen-Ion ConcentrationPolyhydroxybutyratesPseudomonasBacterial ProteinsCarboxylic Ester Hydrolasespoly(3-hydroxybutyrate)-co-(3-hydroxyvalerate)PolyestersPolyhydroxybutyratesRubberBiodegradationBiopolymerDepolymeraseLaccaseNatural rubberPolyhydroxyalkanoates

Identifiers

PMID41507577
PMCPMC12783253

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.