Bacteria engineered to breakdown plastics

The researchers have systematically investigated bottlenecks in the development of whole-cell catalysts for the biodegradation of poly(ethylene terephthalate) plastic. 

Poly(ethylene terephthalate)-hydrolysing enzymatic activity, secretion, and plastic bioavailability limit microbial growth.

An environmental bacterial strain of Pseudomonas umsongensis, capable of assimilating terephthalic acid, was engineered to secrete the poly(ethylene terephthalate) hydrolase polyester hydrolase Leipzig 7.

The engineered strain can use poly (ethylene terephthalate) as the main nutrient, requiring long incubations and a solvent-treated substrate.

The engineered strain can break down poly(ethylene terephthalate) microplastics when added to wastewater.

https://www.cell.com/trends/biotechnology/fulltext/S0167-7799(26)00248-9

https://sciencemission.com/Engineering-environmental-bacteria