Scientists discover plastic eating enzyme that breaks down biodegradable waste

Scientists have discovered an enzyme that helps bacteria consume specific types of plastic, ScienceDaily reported. The finding could provide a new approach to combat global plastic accumulation in terrestrial and aquatic environments. [1]

Researchers observed that several biodegradable plastics completely decomposed in soil within approximately one year, according to ScienceDaily. In contrast, conventional plastics in the same soil conditions remained largely unchanged over the same period. [1]

Plastic waste accumulates heavily in marine habitats, where it forms distinct ecosystems. The plastisphere consists of organisms residing on discarded plastic, with an estimated 51 trillion microplastics floating on the surface of the oceans as of 2022. Certain marine bacteria within this environment can break down plastic polymers and use the carbon as an energy source. [1][2]

The discovery comes amid ongoing efforts to address persistent waste in aquatic ecosystems, where discarded material gathers into vast ocean garbage patches that threaten marine life. [1]