Bioremediation of PET-Contaminated Wastewater Using Shrimp Waste Activated Sludge: A Combined In Silico–Experimental Study

Edi Suswanto; Hanzhola G. Riyanto; Mayshah Purnamasari; Fakhrotun Nisa

doi:10.32734/jcnar.v8i2.26884

Authors

Edi Suswanto Department of Chemistry, Universitas Pamulang, Tangerang Selatan, Banten, 15417, Indonesia
Hanzhola G. Riyanto Department of Chemistry, Universitas Pamulang, Tangerang Selatan, Banten, 15417, Indonesia
Mayshah Purnamasari Department of Chemistry, Universitas Pamulang, Tangerang Selatan, Banten, 15417, Indonesia
Fakhrotun Nisa Department of Chemistry, Universitas Pamulang, Tangerang Selatan, Banten, 15417, Indonesia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.32734/jcnar.v8i2.26884

Keywords:

PET Degradation, Shrimp Waste, Molecular Docking Simulation, Esterase Enzyme

Abstract

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic pollution is a long-standing environmental problem because it is highly resistant to natural degradation. This study investigates a poorly studied low-cost biocatalytic approach for the degradation of PET-derived wastewater using esterase-producing bacteria isolated from activated sludge of shrimp waste. Theoretical binding affinity and degradation performance were evaluated by the dual-approach strategy of molecular docking simulation (MOE software) and laboratory-scale degradation experiments. The docking analysis revealed that PET had a strong and stable binding interaction with the esterase enzyme, suggesting its catalytic ability. Shrimp waste activated sludge treatment experimentally resulted in reduction of Total Suspended Solids (TSS), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) and Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) up to 95% within 10 hours. The degradation product of diethylene glycol (DEG) was confirmed by gas chromatography. These studies demonstrate a promising pathway towards an eco-friendly PET wastewater treatment based on waste valorization.

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