Enzymes go big: surface hydrolysis and functionalisation of synthetic polymers

Enzyme technology has progressed from the biotransformation of small substrates to biotransformation of synthetic polymers. Important breakthroughs have been the isolation and design of novel enzymes with enhanced activity on synthetic polymer substrates. These were made possible by efficient screening procedures and genetic engineering approaches based on an in-depth understanding of the mechanisms of enzymes on synthetic polymers. Enhancement of the hydrophilicity of synthetic polymers is a key requirement for many applications, ranging from electronics to functional textile production. This review focuses on enzymes that hydrolyse polyalkyleneterephthalates, polyamides or polyacrylonitriles, specifically on the polymer surface thereby replacing harsh chemical processes currently used for hydrophilisation.