Living plastics from plasticizer-assisted thermal molding of silk protein

IF 14.7 1区 综合性期刊 Q1 MULTIDISCIPLINARY SCIENCES
Yushu Wang, Junqi Wu, Emily J. Hartzell, Weiguo Hu, Reddhy Mahle, Xinxin Li, Ying Chen, Jugal Kishore Sahoo, Cameron Chan, Brooke N. Longo, Charlotte S. Jacobus, Chunmei Li, David L. Kaplan
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Abstract

The pursuit of materials, particularly plastics, with a minimal ecological footprint throughout their circular lifecycle, is crucial for advancing sustainable materials development. Living materials composed of embedded yet active organisms can leverage endogenous biotic resources to achieve functional materials that align with sustainability goals. However, current living material systems face challenges such as weak mechanical properties, limited environmental adaptability, and restricted cellular functionality. In this study, we propose an approach to sustainable living materials by incorporating active organisms into silk-based plastics through a plasticizer-assisted thermal molding process. We investigate the mechanism of structure formation in these materials, correlating manufacturing performance to the resulting secondary structure. These silk-based plastics provide a protective matrix for probiotics, ensuring their survival through the harsh gastrointestinal tract and enhancing intestinal delivery. Similarly, soil rhizobacteria encapsulated within the plastics exhibit long-term protease activity, accelerating plastic degradation upon soil exposure. This work demonstrates the potential of sustainable plastics as a form of living materials, where active organisms are processed, entrapped, retain metabolic functions, and are protected in harsh environments.

Abstract Image

由增塑剂辅助热成型的丝蛋白制成的活塑料
追求在整个循环生命周期中生态足迹最小的材料,特别是塑料,对于推进可持续材料的发展至关重要。由嵌入的活性生物组成的生物材料可以利用内源性生物资源来实现符合可持续发展目标的功能材料。然而,目前的生物材料系统面临着诸如弱机械性能、有限的环境适应性和有限的细胞功能等挑战。在本研究中,我们提出了一种通过增塑剂辅助热成型工艺将活性生物纳入丝绸基塑料的可持续生命材料的方法。我们研究了这些材料的结构形成机制,将制造性能与产生的二级结构联系起来。这些丝基塑料为益生菌提供了保护基质,确保它们在严酷的胃肠道中存活,并增强肠道输送。同样,包裹在塑料中的土壤根瘤菌表现出长期的蛋白酶活性,加速了塑料在土壤暴露后的降解。这项工作展示了可持续塑料作为一种生物材料的潜力,在这种材料中,活性生物被加工、捕获、保留代谢功能,并在恶劣的环境中得到保护。
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来源期刊
Nature Communications
Nature Communications Biological Science Disciplines-
CiteScore
24.90
自引率
2.40%
发文量
6928
审稿时长
3.7 months
期刊介绍: Nature Communications, an open-access journal, publishes high-quality research spanning all areas of the natural sciences. Papers featured in the journal showcase significant advances relevant to specialists in each respective field. With a 2-year impact factor of 16.6 (2022) and a median time of 8 days from submission to the first editorial decision, Nature Communications is committed to rapid dissemination of research findings. As a multidisciplinary journal, it welcomes contributions from biological, health, physical, chemical, Earth, social, mathematical, applied, and engineering sciences, aiming to highlight important breakthroughs within each domain.
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