Chinese researchers unveil biodegradable plastic made from bacteria
Chinese researchers have made a breakthrough in developing biodegradable plastic made from bacteria, which could potentially replace traditional plastics that contribute to pollution and harm the environment.
The researchers, led by Professor Chen Tao, used a type of bacteria called Pseudomonas putida to produce a type of biodegradable plastic called polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA).
According to a paper published in Science, the bacteria are able to produce PHA, a type of biodegradable plastic, through a process called fermentation.
The researchers found that the PHA produced by the bacteria is not only biodegradable but also has similar properties to traditional plastics, such as flexibility and strength.
“We believe that this new material has the potential to replace traditional plastics in many applications, such as packaging, textiles, and even biomedical devices,” said Professor Chen Tao in a statement to Science.
The development of biodegradable plastics made from bacteria could potentially solve the problem of plastic pollution, which harms the environment and wildlife.
“The production of biodegradable plastics from bacteria is a game-changer for the plastics industry,” said Dr. Zhang Li, a plastic expert at the University of California, Berkeley, in an interview with Nature.
The researchers' discovery has also sparked interest in the potential of using microorganisms to produce biodegradable materials.
“This breakthrough has opened up a new avenue for the development of sustainable materials, and we are excited to explore its potential further,” said Professor Chen Tao in a statement to Science.
“We hope that our research will inspire others to explore the potential of biodegradable plastics made from bacteria, and contribute to the development of a more sustainable future.”
Resumé:
In a breakthrough discovery, Chinese researchers have developed biodegradable plastic made from bacteria, which has the potential to replace traditional plastics contributing to pollution and harm the environment. This new material has similar properties to traditional plastics and is produced through a process called fermentation.
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