Unleashing the Power of Bacteria: Study Discovers One in Five Bacteria Can Break Down Plastics

A study conducted by researchers at Leiden University has discovered that one in five bacteria can break down plastics, as reported by doctoral student Jo-Anne Verschoor. The research found that over 18 percent of bacterial strains were able to degrade plastics, but the bacteria require specific conditions to do so effectively. For instance, they must be starved in order to break down plastics.

In her experiments with a diverse collection of bacteria, Verschoor discovered their potential for breaking down plastics while originally searching for new antibiotics. Her research was published in the scientific journal Nature Communications Biology.

When bacteria are hungry, they start to look for food, which can include plastics. Verschoor’s experiments involved exposing different species of bacteria to plastic materials such as PET plastics found in plastic bottles. This discovery could lead to new ways of recycling plastics and addressing plastic waste problems.

Understanding how bacteria can break down plastics may help researchers develop more sustainable methods for managing plastic waste. The findings of this study could greatly expand the range of bacteria that can be used to break down plastics effectively.