Plastic waste is a major environmental problem, with humans producing around 400 million tons of plastic waste annually. Unfortunately, plastic waste is not biodegradable and only a small percentage (16%) is recycled. However, researchers in China have discovered plastic-eating bacteria and fungi that could help solve the global waste problem. The team from Sun Yat-sen University collected 50 samples of plastic waste from three contaminated areas in a protected wetland in eastern China. Using DNA metabarcoding, they identified 184 different species of fungi and 55 strains of bacteria that had colonized the plastic waste, creating a unique ecosystem.
The researchers found that all the microorganisms identified in the samples were capable of breaking down polycaprolactone (PCL), a biodegradable polyester commonly used in the production of various polyurethanes. They also discovered that some fungi, including the Alternaria group of molds, and agricultural pests Fusarium and Neocosmospora, were able to feed on PCL-based plastics more effectively than traditional decomposers. The team also identified two genera of bacteria, Streptomyces and Jonesia, that could potentially break down other petroleum-based polymers.
While the knowledge of microbial communities associated with plastic waste is still in its early stages, the researchers are optimistic that their findings will lead to significant advances in this field. They believe that their discovery of potentially promising resources for future technologies is just the tip of the iceberg. With the help of plastic-eating bacteria and fungi, we may be able to tackle the global plastic waste problem and create a more sustainable future.
