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Microbial Consortium–Mediated Degradation of Polyethylene Terephthalate in Orthodontic Aligners: A Comprehensive Review

Summary

This review examines how microorganisms can break down plastic used in clear orthodontic aligners (PET plastic). Clear aligners are popular because they are invisible and comfortable, but patients need new ones every 1-2 weeks, creating significant plastic waste. Scientists have discovered bacteria and fungi that produce special enzymes capable of degrading this plastic into harmless components, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional disposal methods like landfilling and incineration.

Background

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is widely used in orthodontic aligners due to its durability, optical clarity, and biocompatibility. However, the short lifespan of orthodontic aligners (1-2 weeks) results in significant biomedical plastic waste accumulation, contributing to environmental pollution and microplastic contamination in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

Objective

This review critically assesses microbial consortia-mediated biodegradation of PET used in orthodontic aligners as a sustainable waste management strategy. The study evaluates enzymatic mechanisms, identifies challenges in PET degradation, and discusses biotechnological innovations for enhancing enzymatic efficiency and process scalability.

Results

The review identifies key PET-degrading microorganisms including Ideonella sakaiensis, Trametes versicolor, Pseudomonas putida, and Bacillus subtilis that produce PETase and MHETase enzymes. Microbial consortia demonstrate superior degradation rates compared to monocultures through synergistic enzymatic activities, with degradation efficiencies ranging from 35-60% in controlled bioreactor systems.

Conclusion

Microbial consortium-mediated biodegradation represents a promising sustainable solution for managing PET waste from orthodontic aligners. Advances in enzyme engineering, bioaugmentation, and bioreactor design are essential for improving degradation rates and enabling scalable implementation within a circular bioeconomy framework.
  • Published in:International Journal of Microbiology,
  • Study Type:Review,
  • Source: 40988988
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