	US 12,297,328 B2
	Depolymerization of a polyhydroxyalkanoate and recycling of hydroxyalkonoate monomer obtained thereby via a metabolic process
Stephen Quirk, Alpharetta, GA (US); and Peter B. Dulcamara, Neenah, WI (US)
Assigned to Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc., Neenah, WI (US)
Appl. No. 18/686,912
Filed by Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc., Neenah, WI (US)
PCT Filed Sep. 30, 2021, PCT No. PCT/US2021/052826 § 371(c)(1), (2) Date Feb. 27, 2024, PCT Pub. No. WO2023/055373, PCT Pub. Date Apr. 6, 2023.
Prior Publication US 2024/0352215 A1, Oct. 24, 2024
Int. Cl. C08J 11/10 (2006.01); C12N 1/20 (2006.01); C12P 7/625 (2022.01); C12R 1/385 (2006.01); C12R 1/63 (2006.01); C12R 1/64 (2006.01)

CPC C08J 11/105 (2013.01) [C12N 1/20 (2013.01); C12P 7/625 (2013.01); C08J 2367/04 (2013.01); C12R 2001/385 (2021.05); C12R 2001/63 (2021.05); C12R 2001/64 (2021.05)]

18 Claims

1. A method for treatment of a post-consumer product, comprising:

contacting a post-consumer product with a polyhydroxyalkanoate depolymerase (PHADase), the post-consumer product comprising a first polyhydroxyalkanoate, the PHADase catalyzing depolymerization of the first polyhydroxyalkanoate and releasing a hydroxyalkanoate monomer from the first polyhydroxyalkanoate;

culturing a first microorganism in the presence of the hydroxyalkanoate monomer, the first microorganism being capable of metabolizing the hydroxyalkanoate monomer as a metabolic carbon source, the first microorganism being capable of producing a second polyhydroxyalkanoate, wherein the culturing is carried out under a condition that encourages production of the second polyhydroxyalkanoate by the first microorganism, wherein the first microorganism is selected from the genus Lysobacter.