Poly(acrylic acid)-based superabsorbent polymer (SAP) in a feed stream is converted into poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) in an extensional flow device. The total energy used to degrade the SAP into PAA is less than about 50 MJ/kg SAP.

The present invention includes methods for preparing anticoagulant polysaccharides using several non-naturally occurring, engineered sulfotransferase enzymes that are designed to react with aryl sulfate compounds instead of the natural substrate, PAPS, to facilitate sulfo group transfer to polysaccharide sulfo group acceptors. Suitable aryl sulfate compounds include, but are not limited to, p-nitrophenyl sulfate or 4-nitrocatechol sulfate. Anticoagulant polysaccharides produced by methods of the present invention comprise N-, 3-O-, 6-O-sulfated glucosamine residues and 2-O sulfated hexuronic acid residues, have comparable anticoagulant activity compared to commercially-available anticoagulant polysaccharides, and can be utilized to form truncated anticoagulant polysaccharides having a reduced molecular weight.

A mechanochemical process for preparation of valuable products free from persistent organic contaminants and other organic halogen compounds, from waste of non-mixed and mixed, plastics and plastic laminates which is contaminated with persistent organic contaminants and/or contain the organic halogen compounds. Shredded waste is filled into a mill containing milling balls and is further shredded by milling. At least one dehalogenating agent is added. The mixture is milled further, and milling is stopped after a set time period. Before or after this step a further additive is added. The resulting products are separated from the milling balls, and the resulting halogen containing water-soluble products are jettisoned by washing with aqueous solvents and/or the resulting halogen containing, water-insoluble products are not washed out, but remain in the valuable products as fillers. Valuable products prepared in accordance with the process, and methods for their use are also provided.

The present disclosure relates to a method and a composition comprising an esterase for enzymatic surface modification of a polyester. The present disclosure also relates to a method of degradation or hydrolysis of an insoluble plant material.

A process and system are disclosed for increasing the rate of degradation of biopolymers in a solid waste depository, such as a landfill. A microorganism product, which can be an encapsulated product, is combined with the waste materials. The product contains one or more microorganisms that are designed to secrete an enzyme that degrades the biopolymer, which can be a polyhydroxybutyrate polymer. The microorganism can naturally secrete the enzyme or can be genetically modified to secrete the enzyme. The microorganisms or bacteria incorporated into the product are particularly selected in order to thrive in a particular environmental condition where the solid waste is located.

The present invention includes methods for preparing anticoagulant polysaccharides using several non-naturally occurring, engineered sulfotransferase enzymes that are designed to react with aryl sulfate compounds instead of the natural substrate, PAPS, to facilitate sulfo group transfer to polysaccharide sulfo group acceptors. Suitable aryl sulfate compounds include, but are not limited to, p-nitrophenyl sulfate or 4-nitrocatechol sulfate. Anticoagulant polysaccharides produced by methods of the present invention comprise N—, 3—O—, 6-O-sulfated glucosamine residues and 2-O sulfated hexuronic acid residues, have comparable anticoagulant activity compared to commercially-available anticoagulant polysaccharides, and can be utilized to form truncated anticoagulant polysaccharides having a reduced molecular weight.

The present invention includes methods for preparing anticoagulant polysaccharides using several non-naturally occurring, engineered sulfotransferase enzymes that are designed to react with aryl sulfate compounds instead of the natural substrate, PAPS, to facilitate sulfo group transfer to polysaccharide sulfo group acceptors. Suitable aryl sulfate compounds include, but are not limited to, p-nitrophenyl sulfate or 4-nitrocatechol sulfate. Anticoagulant polysaccharides produced by methods of the present invention comprise N-, 3-O-, 6-O-sulfated glucosamine residues and 2-O sulfated hexuronic acid residues, have comparable anticoagulant activity compared to commercially-available anticoagulant polysaccharides, and can be utilized to form truncated anticoagulant polysaccharides having a reduced molecular weight.

The present invention relates to novel esterases, more particularly to esterase variants having improved activity and/or improved themostability compared to the esterase of SEQ ID NO: 1 and the uses thereof for degrading polyester containing material, such as plastic products. The esterases of the invention are particularly suited to degrade polyethylene terephthalate, and material containing polyethylene terephthalate.

The present invention relates to novel proteases, more particularly to protease variants having improved thermostability compared to the protease of SEQ ID NO:1 and the uses thereof for degrading polyester containing material, such as plastic products. The proteases of the invention are particularly suited to degrade polylactic acid, and material containing polylactic acid.

The present invention relates to novel esterase, more particularly to esterase variants having improved thermostability compared to the esterase of SEQ ID No 1 and the uses thereof for degrading polyester containing material, such as plastic products. The esterases of the invention are particularly suited to degrade polyethylene terephthalate, and material containing polyethylene terephthalate.