Bacteria in the wastewater: Can you solve our plastic problem?

Bacteria in the wastewater: Can you solve our plastic problem?

An exciting new study shows that bacteria from sewage treatment plants are able to decompose plastic! Researchers discovered that the bacterium Comamona's testosteroni can convert polyethylenterephthalate (PET), a common plastic in packaging and bottles, into food sources. This bacterium could be the solution to one of the most pressing environmental problems in the earth, despite the fact that the decomposition process is currently taking months.

The scientists have identified a six -stage process through which the bacteria are physically shredded and then release enzymes to chemically disassemble the material. It was precisely analyzed how this bacterium is able to convert inedible plastic into a carbon -rich food source. Despite this promising discovery, the bacteria are not yet immediately suitable for using plastic waste in sewage treatment plants, which requires optimization of the decomposition process. With further progress, algae food, such as chemicals called acetate, could help promote the growth of the bacteria and thus significantly increase the speed of decomposition. For more information you can do the source read .