Ideonella [SEP] parent taxon
Ideonella
Ideonella is a genus of Comamonadaceae bacteria.
Applications.
Applications "Ideonella sakaiensis".
In 2016 "I. sakaiensis" was shown to degrade PET, a polymer widely used in food containers, bottles and synthetic fibers. Adhered to a low-grade PET film, the bacteria used two novel enzymes, PETase and MHETase, to decompose the plastic into two environmentally benign substances, which served as their main food source.
A colony of "I. sakaiensis" could completely degrade a low-grade plastic water bottle
to the PET and other cells with thin appendages. These appendages may also function to secrete PET-degrading enzymes onto the PET surface.
Through phylogenetic analysis, the species was shown to be a part of the genus "Ideonella," but possessed a significantly different genome than other known species in the genus, including "Ideonella dechloratans" and "Ideonella azotifigens," thus justifying its classification as a new species"."
Degradation and Assimilation of PET.
"Ideonella sakaiensis" cells adhere to the PET surface