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2 clusters · 7 sources · 1 days · First seen · Last updated

Developments in plastic biodegradation and digestion

Overview

Research has highlighted different pathways for the degradation and digestion of plastic-like materials. A study involving Imperial College London, Malaysia’s Standards and Industrial Research Institute, and Polymateria indicates that polyethylene and polypropylene can biodegrade in soil within two years when treated with a specific “Biotransformation” additive. Researchers noted that further study is required to ensure the safety of byproducts for ecosystems.

Separately, researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology discovered that animals can digest polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), a natural bioplastic produced by microorganisms. While previously thought to be broken down only by microbes, studies on the marine worm Olavius algarvensis revealed an enzyme that allows the animal to utilize these materials. Genomic analysis suggests similar enzymes are common in various organisms, including sea stars and earthworms, providing a potential pathway for carbon to move into animal food chains.

Entities

Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology · Nicole Dubilier · Imperial College London · Olavius algarvensis · Polymateria

Timeline

  1. 27 days ago

    [TECHNOLOGY] 4 sources
    Max Planck researchers find animals can digest natural bioplastics

    Scientists have discovered that various animals, including worms and sea stars, possess enzymes to digest natural bioplastics (PHAs) produced by microbes, creating a new pathway in food chains.

  2. 27 days ago

    [TECHNOLOGY] 3 sources
    Polymateria additive enables plastic biodegradation in two years

    Research involving Imperial College London and Polymateria indicates that polyethylene and polypropylene treated with a specific additive can biodegrade in soil within two years.

Sources

bionity.com · chemie.de · intelligentliving.co · kurierverlag.de · laborpraxis.vogel.de · sciencedaily.com · thecooldown.com