# Enzyme-displaying spores as a novel strategy for mixed fiber textile recycling

## TL;DR

This paper introduces a new biological method using enzyme-displaying spores to recycle mixed fiber textiles more efficiently.

## Contribution

The novelty lies in using Spore Surface Display (SSD) technology to anchor enzymes on bacterial spores for textile degradation.

## Key findings

- SSD technology immobilizes multiple enzymes on spores for simultaneous cotton-polyester degradation.
- The method offers a potential solution to the challenges of mixed fiber textile recycling.
- A process design proposal is introduced for full mixed textile degradation using this approach.

## Abstract

Global textile manufacturing practices are responsible for an increasing amount of textile waste that pollutes our planet. Mixed fiber blends pose a recycling challenge due to their heterogeneous structure. Current mechanical, chemical, thermochemical and enzymatic strategies suffer from several limitations such as high energy costs, extensive pre-treatment requirements and enzyme instability. This mini-review aims to present recent developments in the research field and to introduce Spore Surface Display (SSD) technology as a new biological approach for mixed textile degradation. SSD allows enzymes to be anchored on the robust bacterial spore surface, immobilizing multiple enzymes required for simultaneous cotton-polyester degradation into their respective monomers. The mini-review also includes an initial proposal for a process design suitable for a full mixed textile degradation process using this synthetic biology approach.