French scientists have discovered an enzyme that can break down plastic within hours. This enzyme could be an innovative solution for recycling millions of tons of toxic plastic waste.
According to the research, published Wednesday in the journal Nature, discovered the enzyme in leaf compost. Plastic bottles breaks down to chemical building blocks, which can be used to make new high-quality bottles.
The research began by screening 100,000 potential microorganisms, including one found on compost that was first discovered in 2012. According to the newspaper Guardian, scientists analyzed the enzyme and did something mutations, which improved its ability to break down PET plastic, which is used to make beverage bottles. They also made it stable at a temperature of 72 degrees Celsius, which is close to the perfect temperature for rapid decomposition. The team then used an optimized enzyme to break down a ton of waste plastic bottles degraded to 90 percent within 10 hours. The scientists then used this material to make new bottles.
The enzyme degraded a ton of plastic to 90 percent in 10 hours.Carbios, the company behind the discovery, says it is aiming for industrial-scale recycling that could be done within five years. For this research, they collaborated with the Toulouse Biotechnology Institute and were supported by a consortium of consumer goods companies, including Suntory Beverage & Food and Nestlé Waters.
PET is the most commonly used plastic material in bottles and other types of packaging. It is also found in clothing, namely in polyester fibers. More than 70 million tons of this material are produced annually worldwide, which is about a fifth of all new plastic.
More information:
nature.com
