Gut bacteria from a worm can degrade plastic
Plastic is well-known for sticking around in the environment for years without breaking down, contributing significantly to litter and landfills. But scientists have now discovered that bacteria from the guts of a worm known to munch on food packaging can degrade polyethylene, the most common plastic. Reported in the ACS journal Environmental Science & Technology, the finding could lead to new ways to help get rid of the otherwise persistent waste, the scientists say.
Jun Yang and colleagues point out that the global plastics industry churns out about 140 million tons of polyethylene every year. Much of it goes into the bags, bottles and boxes that many of us use regularly — and then throw out. Scientists have been trying to figure out for years how to make this plastic trash go away. Some of the most recent studies have tried siccing bacteria on plastic to degrade it, but these required first exposing the plastic to light or heat. Yang’s team wanted to find bacteria that could degrade polyethylene in one step.
The researchers turned to a plastic-eating moth larva, known as a waxworm. They found that at least two strains of the waxworm’s gut microbes could degrade polyethylene without a pretreatment step.
They say the results point toward a new, more direct way to biodegrade plastic.
The Latest on: Degrade plastic
[google_news title=”” keyword=”Degrade plastic” num_posts=”10″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]
via Google News
The Latest on: Degrade plastic
- Scientists explore nature’s promise in combating plastic wasteon May 8, 2024 at 6:36 am
By Claire Asher Plastic is a remarkably versatile and durable material, which has made it indispensable in almost every area of modern life. But these same properties, amplified by our ...
- Bacteria-seeded plastic is tough and degradableon May 7, 2024 at 10:48 am
As long as enough moisture and nutrients are around, the bacteria should wake up and degrade the polymer ... Bacteria-embedded plastic might be a stretch for food packaging, Pokorski adds, “but a ...
- Will microbes bring an end to the plastic disaster? The answer could be an artificial microbe that feasts on plasticon May 6, 2024 at 7:30 pm
Ongoing lab studies were promising enough for Colossal Biosciences to support a Harvard team to work towards developing X-32 to address the plastics crisis.
- Scientists create ‘living plastic’ that self-destructson May 6, 2024 at 4:37 pm
The problem of plastic pollution may have a new solution. Scientists have developed a biodegradable form of thermoplastic polyurethane that self-digests.
- Researchers Develop a Plastic That Digests Itselfon May 5, 2024 at 8:11 am
A team led by researchers at the University of California San Diego have developed a type of biodegradable plastic that can begin digesting itself when it ...
- Biodegradable ‘living plastic’ contains bacterial spores that break it downon May 2, 2024 at 4:13 pm
Researchers at the University of California San Diego have developed an innovative biodegradable thermoplastic polyurethane ...
- This Plastic Is Embedded With Bacterial Spores That Break It Down After It’s Thrown Outon May 2, 2024 at 3:16 pm
The approach resulted in 93 percent of the plastic biodegrading within five months, and even increased the strength and stretchability of the material.
- Revolutionary New ‘Living Plastic’ That Could Slash Damage to the Environment Developed by California Researcherson May 2, 2024 at 8:01 am
The team created this living plastic in the form of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), a soft but durable commercial plastic used in footwear.
- Researchers at UC San Diego create 'self-recycling' plasticon May 2, 2024 at 2:29 am
Once (the spores) are woken up they’re able to degrade." The biodegradable plastic is just as durable and elastic as traditional polyurethane, with the ability to stretch up to 15 times its original ...
- Researchers make a plastic that includes bacteria that can digest iton April 30, 2024 at 1:11 pm
An international team of researchers has decided to take advantage of those strains and bundle plastic-eating bacteria into the plastic. To keep them from eating it while it's in use, the bacteria is ...
via Bing News