TY  - JOUR
AU  - Pantelić, Brana
AU  - Araujo, Jeovan
AU  - Jeremić, Sanja
AU  - Azeem, Muhammad
AU  - Attallah, Olivia
AU  - Slaperas, Romanos
AU  - Mojicević, Marija
AU  - Chen, Yuanyuan
AU  - Fournet, Margaret Brennan
AU  - Topakas, Evangelos
AU  - Nikodinović-Runić, Jasmina
PY  - 2023
UR  - https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352186423003127
UR  - https://imagine.imgge.bg.ac.rs/handle/123456789/1983
AB  - Biotechnological treatment of plastic waste has gathered substantial attention as an efficient and generally greener approach for polyethylene terephthalate (PET) depolymerization and upcycling in comparison to mechanical and chemical processes. Nevertheless, a suitable combination of mechanical and microbial degradation may be the key to bringing forward PET upcycling. In this study, a new strain with an excellent bis(2 hydroxyethyl)terephthalate (BHET) degradation potential (1000 mg/mL in 120 h at 30 °C) and wide temperature (20-47 °C) and pH (5-10) tolerance was isolated from a pristine soil sample. It was identified as Bacillus subtilis BPM12 via phenotypical and genome analysis. A number of enzymes with potential polymer degrading activities were identified, including carboxylesterase BPM12CE that was efficiently expressed both, homologously in B. subtilis BPM12 and heterologously in B. subtilis 168 strain. Overexpression of this enzyme enabled B. subtilis 168 to degrade BHET, while the activity of BPM12 increased up to 1.8-fold, confirming its BHET-ase activity. Interaction of B. subtilis BPM12 with virgin PET films and films that were re-extruded up to 5 times mimicking mechanical recycling, revealed the ability of the strain to attach and form biofilm on each surface. Mechanical recycling resulted in PET materials that are more susceptible to chemical hydrolysis, however only slight differences were detected in biological degradation when BPM12 whole-cells or cell-free enzyme preparations were used. Mixed mechano/bio-degradation with whole-cells and crude enzyme mixes from this strain can serve to further increase the percentage of PET- based plastics that can enter circularity.
PB  - Elsevier
T2  - Environmental Technology & Innovation
T1  - A novel Bacillus subtilis BPM12 with high bis(2 hydroxyethyl)terephthalate hydrolytic activity efficiently interacts with virgin and mechanically recycled polyethylene terephthalate
SP  - 103316
DO  - 10.1016/j.eti.2023.103316
ER  - 

@article{
author = "Pantelić, Brana and Araujo, Jeovan and Jeremić, Sanja and Azeem, Muhammad and Attallah, Olivia and Slaperas, Romanos and Mojicević, Marija and Chen, Yuanyuan and Fournet, Margaret Brennan and Topakas, Evangelos and Nikodinović-Runić, Jasmina",
year = "2023",
abstract = "Biotechnological treatment of plastic waste has gathered substantial attention as an efficient and generally greener approach for polyethylene terephthalate (PET) depolymerization and upcycling in comparison to mechanical and chemical processes. Nevertheless, a suitable combination of mechanical and microbial degradation may be the key to bringing forward PET upcycling. In this study, a new strain with an excellent bis(2 hydroxyethyl)terephthalate (BHET) degradation potential (1000 mg/mL in 120 h at 30 °C) and wide temperature (20-47 °C) and pH (5-10) tolerance was isolated from a pristine soil sample. It was identified as Bacillus subtilis BPM12 via phenotypical and genome analysis. A number of enzymes with potential polymer degrading activities were identified, including carboxylesterase BPM12CE that was efficiently expressed both, homologously in B. subtilis BPM12 and heterologously in B. subtilis 168 strain. Overexpression of this enzyme enabled B. subtilis 168 to degrade BHET, while the activity of BPM12 increased up to 1.8-fold, confirming its BHET-ase activity. Interaction of B. subtilis BPM12 with virgin PET films and films that were re-extruded up to 5 times mimicking mechanical recycling, revealed the ability of the strain to attach and form biofilm on each surface. Mechanical recycling resulted in PET materials that are more susceptible to chemical hydrolysis, however only slight differences were detected in biological degradation when BPM12 whole-cells or cell-free enzyme preparations were used. Mixed mechano/bio-degradation with whole-cells and crude enzyme mixes from this strain can serve to further increase the percentage of PET- based plastics that can enter circularity.",
publisher = "Elsevier",
journal = "Environmental Technology & Innovation",
title = "A novel Bacillus subtilis BPM12 with high bis(2 hydroxyethyl)terephthalate hydrolytic activity efficiently interacts with virgin and mechanically recycled polyethylene terephthalate",
pages = "103316",
doi = "10.1016/j.eti.2023.103316"
}

Pantelić, B., Araujo, J., Jeremić, S., Azeem, M., Attallah, O., Slaperas, R., Mojicević, M., Chen, Y., Fournet, M. B., Topakas, E.,& Nikodinović-Runić, J.. (2023). A novel Bacillus subtilis BPM12 with high bis(2 hydroxyethyl)terephthalate hydrolytic activity efficiently interacts with virgin and mechanically recycled polyethylene terephthalate. in Environmental Technology & Innovation
Elsevier., 103316.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eti.2023.103316

Pantelić B, Araujo J, Jeremić S, Azeem M, Attallah O, Slaperas R, Mojicević M, Chen Y, Fournet MB, Topakas E, Nikodinović-Runić J. A novel Bacillus subtilis BPM12 with high bis(2 hydroxyethyl)terephthalate hydrolytic activity efficiently interacts with virgin and mechanically recycled polyethylene terephthalate. in Environmental Technology & Innovation. 2023;:103316.
doi:10.1016/j.eti.2023.103316 .

Pantelić, Brana, Araujo, Jeovan, Jeremić, Sanja, Azeem, Muhammad, Attallah, Olivia, Slaperas, Romanos, Mojicević, Marija, Chen, Yuanyuan, Fournet, Margaret Brennan, Topakas, Evangelos, Nikodinović-Runić, Jasmina, "A novel Bacillus subtilis BPM12 with high bis(2 hydroxyethyl)terephthalate hydrolytic activity efficiently interacts with virgin and mechanically recycled polyethylene terephthalate" in Environmental Technology & Innovation (2023):103316,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eti.2023.103316 . .

TY  - JOUR
AU  - Garcia, Eduardo Lanzagorta
AU  - Mojićević, Marija
AU  - Milivojević, Dušan
AU  - Aleksic, Ivana
AU  - Vojnović, Sandra
AU  - Stevanović, Milena
AU  - Murray, James
AU  - Attallah, Olivia Adly
AU  - Devine, Declan
AU  - Fournet, Margaret Brennan
PY  - 2022
UR  - https://imagine.imgge.bg.ac.rs/handle/123456789/1658
AB  - Curcumin and triangular silver nanoplates (TSNP)-incorporated bacterial cellulose (BC) films present an ideal antimicrobial material for biomedical applications as they afford a complete set of requirements, including a broad range of long-lasting potency and superior efficacy antimicrobial activity, combined with low toxicity. Here, BC was produced by Komagataeibacter medellinensis ID13488 strain in the presence of curcumin in the production medium (2 and 10%). TSNP were incorporated in the produced BC/curcumin films using ex situ method (21.34 ppm) and the antimicrobial activity was evaluated against Escherichia coli ATCC95922 and Staphylococcus aureus ATCC25923 bacterial strains. Biological activity of these natural products was assessed in cytotoxicity assay against lung fibroblasts and in vivo using Caenorhabditis elegans and Danio rerio as model organisms. Derived films have shown excellent antimicrobial performance with growth inhibition up to 67% for E. coli and 95% for S. aureus. In a highly positive synergistic interaction, BC films with 10% curcumin and incorporated TSNP have shown reduced toxicity with 80% MRC5 cells survival rate. It was shown that only 100% concentrations of film extracts induce low toxicity effect on model organisms’ development. The combined and synergistic advanced anti-infective functionalities of the curcumin and TSNP incorporated in BC have a high potential for development for application within the clinical setting.
T2  - International Journal of Molecular Sciences
T2  - International Journal of Molecular Sciences
T1  - Enhanced Antimicrobial Activity of Biocompatible Bacterial Cellulose Films via Dual Synergistic Action of Curcumin and Triangular Silver Nanoplates
IS  - 20
SP  - 12198
VL  - 23
DO  - 10.3390/ijms232012198
ER  - 

@article{
author = "Garcia, Eduardo Lanzagorta and Mojićević, Marija and Milivojević, Dušan and Aleksic, Ivana and Vojnović, Sandra and Stevanović, Milena and Murray, James and Attallah, Olivia Adly and Devine, Declan and Fournet, Margaret Brennan",
year = "2022",
abstract = "Curcumin and triangular silver nanoplates (TSNP)-incorporated bacterial cellulose (BC) films present an ideal antimicrobial material for biomedical applications as they afford a complete set of requirements, including a broad range of long-lasting potency and superior efficacy antimicrobial activity, combined with low toxicity. Here, BC was produced by Komagataeibacter medellinensis ID13488 strain in the presence of curcumin in the production medium (2 and 10%). TSNP were incorporated in the produced BC/curcumin films using ex situ method (21.34 ppm) and the antimicrobial activity was evaluated against Escherichia coli ATCC95922 and Staphylococcus aureus ATCC25923 bacterial strains. Biological activity of these natural products was assessed in cytotoxicity assay against lung fibroblasts and in vivo using Caenorhabditis elegans and Danio rerio as model organisms. Derived films have shown excellent antimicrobial performance with growth inhibition up to 67% for E. coli and 95% for S. aureus. In a highly positive synergistic interaction, BC films with 10% curcumin and incorporated TSNP have shown reduced toxicity with 80% MRC5 cells survival rate. It was shown that only 100% concentrations of film extracts induce low toxicity effect on model organisms’ development. The combined and synergistic advanced anti-infective functionalities of the curcumin and TSNP incorporated in BC have a high potential for development for application within the clinical setting.",
journal = "International Journal of Molecular Sciences, International Journal of Molecular Sciences",
title = "Enhanced Antimicrobial Activity of Biocompatible Bacterial Cellulose Films via Dual Synergistic Action of Curcumin and Triangular Silver Nanoplates",
number = "20",
pages = "12198",
volume = "23",
doi = "10.3390/ijms232012198"
}

Garcia, E. L., Mojićević, M., Milivojević, D., Aleksic, I., Vojnović, S., Stevanović, M., Murray, J., Attallah, O. A., Devine, D.,& Fournet, M. B.. (2022). Enhanced Antimicrobial Activity of Biocompatible Bacterial Cellulose Films via Dual Synergistic Action of Curcumin and Triangular Silver Nanoplates. in International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 23(20), 12198.
https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms232012198

Garcia EL, Mojićević M, Milivojević D, Aleksic I, Vojnović S, Stevanović M, Murray J, Attallah OA, Devine D, Fournet MB. Enhanced Antimicrobial Activity of Biocompatible Bacterial Cellulose Films via Dual Synergistic Action of Curcumin and Triangular Silver Nanoplates. in International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2022;23(20):12198.
doi:10.3390/ijms232012198 .

Garcia, Eduardo Lanzagorta, Mojićević, Marija, Milivojević, Dušan, Aleksic, Ivana, Vojnović, Sandra, Stevanović, Milena, Murray, James, Attallah, Olivia Adly, Devine, Declan, Fournet, Margaret Brennan, "Enhanced Antimicrobial Activity of Biocompatible Bacterial Cellulose Films via Dual Synergistic Action of Curcumin and Triangular Silver Nanoplates" in International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 23, no. 20 (2022):12198,
https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms232012198 . .

TY  - JOUR
AU  - Ferrero, Pablo
AU  - Attallah, Olivia A.
AU  - Angel Valera, Miguel
AU  - Aleksić, Ivana
AU  - Azeem, Muhammad
AU  - Nikodinović-Runić, Jasmina
AU  - Fournet, Margaret Brennan
PY  - 2022
UR  - https://imagine.imgge.bg.ac.rs/handle/123456789/1757
AB  - An energy-efficient high throughput pre-treatment of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) using a fast, reactive extrusion (REX) assisted oxidation technique followed by bacterial attachment as an indicator for bio-amenability was studied. Silicon dioxide (SiO2) was selected as a model oxidizing and catalytic reagent with the REX process demonstrated to be effective both in the presence and absence of the catalyst. Optimized 5-min duration pre-treatment conditions were determined using Box-Behnken design (BBD) with respect to screws speed, operating temperature, and concentration of SiO2. The crystallinity index, carbonyl index and weight loss (%) of LDPE were used as the studied responses for BDD. FTIR and DSC spectra of the residual LDPE obtained after pre-treatment with the REX assisted oxidation technique showed a significant increase in residual LDPE carbonyl index from 0 to 1.04 and a decrease of LDPE crystallinity index from 29 to 18%. Up to fivefold molecular weight reductions were also demonstrated using gel permeation chromatography. Optimum LDPE pre-treatment with a duration of 5 min was obtained at low screw speed (50 rpm), operating temperature of 380-390 degrees C and variable concentration of SiO2 (0 and 2% (w/w)) indicating that effective pre-treatment can occur under noncatalytic and catalysed conditions. Biofilms were successfully formed on pre-treated LDPE samples after 14 days of incubation. Furthermore, the technique proposed in this study is expected to provide a high throughput approach for pre-treatment of pervasive recalcitrant PE-based plastics to reduce their bio inertness.
PB  - Springer, New York
T2  - Journal of Polymers and the Environment
T1  - Rendering Bio-inert Low-Density Polyethylene Amenable for Biodegradation via Fast High Throughput Reactive Extrusion Assisted Oxidation
EP  - 2846
IS  - 7
SP  - 2837
VL  - 30
DO  - 10.1007/s10924-022-02400-w
ER  - 

@article{
author = "Ferrero, Pablo and Attallah, Olivia A. and Angel Valera, Miguel and Aleksić, Ivana and Azeem, Muhammad and Nikodinović-Runić, Jasmina and Fournet, Margaret Brennan",
year = "2022",
abstract = "An energy-efficient high throughput pre-treatment of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) using a fast, reactive extrusion (REX) assisted oxidation technique followed by bacterial attachment as an indicator for bio-amenability was studied. Silicon dioxide (SiO2) was selected as a model oxidizing and catalytic reagent with the REX process demonstrated to be effective both in the presence and absence of the catalyst. Optimized 5-min duration pre-treatment conditions were determined using Box-Behnken design (BBD) with respect to screws speed, operating temperature, and concentration of SiO2. The crystallinity index, carbonyl index and weight loss (%) of LDPE were used as the studied responses for BDD. FTIR and DSC spectra of the residual LDPE obtained after pre-treatment with the REX assisted oxidation technique showed a significant increase in residual LDPE carbonyl index from 0 to 1.04 and a decrease of LDPE crystallinity index from 29 to 18%. Up to fivefold molecular weight reductions were also demonstrated using gel permeation chromatography. Optimum LDPE pre-treatment with a duration of 5 min was obtained at low screw speed (50 rpm), operating temperature of 380-390 degrees C and variable concentration of SiO2 (0 and 2% (w/w)) indicating that effective pre-treatment can occur under noncatalytic and catalysed conditions. Biofilms were successfully formed on pre-treated LDPE samples after 14 days of incubation. Furthermore, the technique proposed in this study is expected to provide a high throughput approach for pre-treatment of pervasive recalcitrant PE-based plastics to reduce their bio inertness.",
publisher = "Springer, New York",
journal = "Journal of Polymers and the Environment",
title = "Rendering Bio-inert Low-Density Polyethylene Amenable for Biodegradation via Fast High Throughput Reactive Extrusion Assisted Oxidation",
pages = "2846-2837",
number = "7",
volume = "30",
doi = "10.1007/s10924-022-02400-w"
}

Ferrero, P., Attallah, O. A., Angel Valera, M., Aleksić, I., Azeem, M., Nikodinović-Runić, J.,& Fournet, M. B.. (2022). Rendering Bio-inert Low-Density Polyethylene Amenable for Biodegradation via Fast High Throughput Reactive Extrusion Assisted Oxidation. in Journal of Polymers and the Environment
Springer, New York., 30(7), 2837-2846.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10924-022-02400-w

Ferrero P, Attallah OA, Angel Valera M, Aleksić I, Azeem M, Nikodinović-Runić J, Fournet MB. Rendering Bio-inert Low-Density Polyethylene Amenable for Biodegradation via Fast High Throughput Reactive Extrusion Assisted Oxidation. in Journal of Polymers and the Environment. 2022;30(7):2837-2846.
doi:10.1007/s10924-022-02400-w .

Ferrero, Pablo, Attallah, Olivia A., Angel Valera, Miguel, Aleksić, Ivana, Azeem, Muhammad, Nikodinović-Runić, Jasmina, Fournet, Margaret Brennan, "Rendering Bio-inert Low-Density Polyethylene Amenable for Biodegradation via Fast High Throughput Reactive Extrusion Assisted Oxidation" in Journal of Polymers and the Environment, 30, no. 7 (2022):2837-2846,
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10924-022-02400-w . .

TY  - JOUR
AU  - Pantelić, Brana
AU  - Ponjavić, Marijana
AU  - Janković, Vukašin
AU  - Aleksić, Ivana
AU  - Stevanović, Sanja
AU  - Murray, James
AU  - Fournet, Margaret Brennan
AU  - Nikodinović-Runić, Jasmina
PY  - 2021
UR  - https://imagine.imgge.bg.ac.rs/handle/123456789/1470
AB  - Meeting the challenge of circularity for plastics requires amenability to repurposing post-use, as equivalent or upcycled products. In a compelling advancement, complete circularity for a biodegradable polyvinyl alcohol/thermoplastic starch (PVA/TPS) food packaging film was demonstrated by bioconversion to high-market-value biopigments and polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) polyesters. The PVA/TPS film mechanical properties (tensile strength (sigma(u)), 22.2 & PLUSMN; 4.3 MPa; strain at break (epsilon(u)), 325 & PLUSMN; 73%; and Young's modulus (E), 53-250 MPa) compared closely with low-density polyethylene (LDPE) grades used for food packaging. Strong solubility of the PVA/TPS film in water was a pertinent feature, facilitating suitability as a carbon source for bioprocessing and microbial degradation. Biodegradability of the film with greater than 50% weight loss occurred within 30 days of incubation at 37 & DEG;C in a model compost. Up to 22% of the PVA/TPS film substrate conversion to biomass was achieved using three bacterial strains, Ralstonia eutropha H16 (Cupriavidus necator ATCC 17699), Streptomyces sp. JS520, and Bacillus subtilis ATCC6633. For the first time, production of the valuable biopigment (undecylprodigiosin) by Streptomyces sp. JS520 of 5.3 mg/mL and the production of PHB biopolymer at 7.8% of cell dry weight by Ralstonia eutropha H16 from this substrate were reported. This low-energy, low-carbon post-use PVA/TPS film upcycling model approach to plastic circularity demonstrates marked progress in the quest for sustainable and circular plastic solutions.
PB  - MDPI, Basel
T2  - Polymers
T1  - Upcycling Biodegradable PVA/Starch Film to a Bacterial Biopigment and Biopolymer
IS  - 21
VL  - 13
DO  - 10.3390/polym13213692
ER  - 

@article{
author = "Pantelić, Brana and Ponjavić, Marijana and Janković, Vukašin and Aleksić, Ivana and Stevanović, Sanja and Murray, James and Fournet, Margaret Brennan and Nikodinović-Runić, Jasmina",
year = "2021",
abstract = "Meeting the challenge of circularity for plastics requires amenability to repurposing post-use, as equivalent or upcycled products. In a compelling advancement, complete circularity for a biodegradable polyvinyl alcohol/thermoplastic starch (PVA/TPS) food packaging film was demonstrated by bioconversion to high-market-value biopigments and polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) polyesters. The PVA/TPS film mechanical properties (tensile strength (sigma(u)), 22.2 & PLUSMN; 4.3 MPa; strain at break (epsilon(u)), 325 & PLUSMN; 73%; and Young's modulus (E), 53-250 MPa) compared closely with low-density polyethylene (LDPE) grades used for food packaging. Strong solubility of the PVA/TPS film in water was a pertinent feature, facilitating suitability as a carbon source for bioprocessing and microbial degradation. Biodegradability of the film with greater than 50% weight loss occurred within 30 days of incubation at 37 & DEG;C in a model compost. Up to 22% of the PVA/TPS film substrate conversion to biomass was achieved using three bacterial strains, Ralstonia eutropha H16 (Cupriavidus necator ATCC 17699), Streptomyces sp. JS520, and Bacillus subtilis ATCC6633. For the first time, production of the valuable biopigment (undecylprodigiosin) by Streptomyces sp. JS520 of 5.3 mg/mL and the production of PHB biopolymer at 7.8% of cell dry weight by Ralstonia eutropha H16 from this substrate were reported. This low-energy, low-carbon post-use PVA/TPS film upcycling model approach to plastic circularity demonstrates marked progress in the quest for sustainable and circular plastic solutions.",
publisher = "MDPI, Basel",
journal = "Polymers",
title = "Upcycling Biodegradable PVA/Starch Film to a Bacterial Biopigment and Biopolymer",
number = "21",
volume = "13",
doi = "10.3390/polym13213692"
}

Pantelić, B., Ponjavić, M., Janković, V., Aleksić, I., Stevanović, S., Murray, J., Fournet, M. B.,& Nikodinović-Runić, J.. (2021). Upcycling Biodegradable PVA/Starch Film to a Bacterial Biopigment and Biopolymer. in Polymers
MDPI, Basel., 13(21).
https://doi.org/10.3390/polym13213692

Pantelić B, Ponjavić M, Janković V, Aleksić I, Stevanović S, Murray J, Fournet MB, Nikodinović-Runić J. Upcycling Biodegradable PVA/Starch Film to a Bacterial Biopigment and Biopolymer. in Polymers. 2021;13(21).
doi:10.3390/polym13213692 .

Pantelić, Brana, Ponjavić, Marijana, Janković, Vukašin, Aleksić, Ivana, Stevanović, Sanja, Murray, James, Fournet, Margaret Brennan, Nikodinović-Runić, Jasmina, "Upcycling Biodegradable PVA/Starch Film to a Bacterial Biopigment and Biopolymer" in Polymers, 13, no. 21 (2021),
https://doi.org/10.3390/polym13213692 . .