Microbial degradation of polyethylene (PE) offers a promising solution to plastic pollution in the marine environment, but research in this field is limited. In this study, we isolated a novel marine strain of Pseudalkalibacillus sp. MQ-1 that can degrade PE. Scanning electron microscopy and water contact angle results showed that MQ-1 could adhere to PE films and render them hydrophilic. Analyses using X-ray diffraction, fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy showed a decrease in relative crystallinity, the appearance of new functional groups and an increase in the oxygen-to‑carbon ratio of the PE films, making them more susceptible to degradation. The results of gel permeation chromatography and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry indicated the depolymerization of the long PE chains, with the detection of an intermediate, decanediol. Furthermore, genome sequencing was employed to investigate the underlying mechanisms of PE degradation. The results of genome sequencing analysis identified the genes associated with PE degradation, including cytochrome P450, alcohol dehydrogenase, and aldehyde dehydrogenase involved in the oxidative reaction, monooxygenase related to ester bond formation, and esterase associated with ester bond cleavage. In addition, enzymes involved in fatty acid metabolism and intracellular transport have been identified, collectively providing insights into the metabolic pathway of PE degradation.

中文翻译：

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海洋聚乙烯（PE）降解菌的分离及其潜在降解机制


聚乙烯（PE）的微生物降解为海洋环境中的塑料污染提供了一种有前景的解决方案，但该领域的研究有限。在这项研究中，我们分离出了一种新的海洋菌株 Pseudalkalibacillus sp。 MQ-1可以降解PE。扫描电子显微镜和水接触角结果表明MQ-1可以粘附在PE薄膜上并使其具有亲水性。使用 X 射线衍射、傅里叶变换红外光谱和 X 射线光电子能谱进行的分析表明，PE 薄膜的相对结晶度降低、新官能团的出现以及氧碳比的增加，使其更易于使用。容易降解。凝胶渗透色谱和液相色谱-质谱联用结果表明长PE链发生解聚，并检测到中间体癸二醇。此外，利用基因组测序来研究PE降解的潜在机制。基因组测序分析结果鉴定出与PE降解相关的基因，包括参与氧化反应的细胞色素P450、醇脱氢酶和乙醛脱氢酶，与酯键形成相关的单加氧酶，以及与酯键断裂相关的酯酶。此外，还鉴定了参与脂肪酸代谢和细胞内运输的酶，共同为 PE 降解的代谢途径提供了见解。