I know this isn’t that electronic in nature, but it’s amazing.
Scientists have mutated an enzyme that can break down plastic bottles, and the discovery was made by pure accidental discovery. It's a beneficial discovery because of how it can enable the recycling of plastic bottles which could also help the global plastic pollution issue.
The efficiency of the bacteria decreases the time it takes to consume plastic and makes it more recyclable. The effectiveness will help the environment and improve life. Plastic bottles overcrowding landfills could no longer be an issue in years' time. (Image via Pixabay)
In 2016, it was first discovered as a possibility by discovering bacteria that evolved to consume plastic. It was made possible in Japan at the time where the bug originated in a waste unit.
Further manipulations on the enzyme were implemented to see how its effect had taken place and how it had evolved but were more successful at making it more effective with breaking down the PET (polyethylene terephthalate) for bottles. The modified enzyme only takes a few days to break down the plastic in comparison to the number of years it would've taken before-hand as it were in the ocean. Hopes are high with researchers that this can be speeded up to improve consumption times and be effective for a large area where plastic bottles have been littered.
Scientists are hoping the enzyme will revert the plastic back to its original components so it may be recycled to its original state. The idea will hopefully decrease the need for oil and to lessen the use of plastic and its negative role in the environment.
The effect plastic bottles have on the environment puts a strain on marine life and can potentially harm those who eat seafood due in large part to bottles being thrown away in the oceans since only 14% are recycled. A million are purchased worldwide by the minute.
It's possible the recycled material used with plastic bottles can have other uses for clothing and/or carpets by converting them into opaque fibers. So recycling them can have benefit due to it reverting plastic directly back to plastic bottles - this will ensure that the need to create new plastics is avoided.
New research developed on the enzyme was able to indicate exactly how the enzyme was structured by the bug. Interestingly enough, the structure of the bug looked similar to break down a polymer called cutin which is used as a coating by plants. While scientists had made this connection by exploring the enzyme they had accidentally made it more effective when it came to consuming PET.
Another improvement for the enzyme being explored is the transplantation into a much stronger bacteria that can sustain temperatures above 70, allowing PET to change states, allowing it to waken 10-100 times the normal rate.
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