Enzymes for the biofunctionalization of poly(ethylene terephthalate).

The functionalization of synthetic polymers such as poly(ethylene terephthalate) to improve their hydrophilicity can be achieved biocatalytically using hydrolytic enzymes. A number of cutinases, lipases, and esterases active on polyethylene terephthalate have been identified and characterized. Enzymes from Fusarium solani, Thermomyces insolens, T. lanuginosus, Aspergillus oryzae, Pseudomonas mendocina, and Thermobifida fusca have been studied in detail. Thermostable biocatalysts hydrolyzing poly(ethylene terephthalate) are promising candidates for the further optimization of suitable biofunctionalization processes for textile finishing, technical, and biomedical applications.