New hope in the battle against plastic pollution: groundbreaking discovery of plastic-degrading proteins
Researchers from the University of Stirling and the University of Mons uncover proteins that could significantly impact the fight against marine plastic pollution, paving the way for innovative environmental conservation strategies.
Researchers at the University of Stirling, in collaboration with the University of Mons in Belgium, have discovered proteins that could potentially break down plastic, offering a novel approach to tackling plastic pollution. The study, led by Dr. Sabine Matallana-Surget of the Faculty of Natural Sciences, focused on the role of bacteria found on plastic debris in marine environments.
The team analyzed proteins in plastic samples from Gullane beach, East Lothian, discovering that bacteria living on the debris play a significant role in the degradation process. The finding is crucial as plastic pollution, which can take centuries to degrade, has reached critical levels, particularly in the marine environment, posing severe ecological and socioeconomic challenges.
Dr. Matallana-Surget highlighted the necessity of further research into how these micro-organisms contribute to breaking down plastic, particularly in colder climates where the degradation process could differ. The study provides valuable insights into the metabolic pathways of these bacteria, some of which were previously rare and understudied but are known to degrade pollutants and hydrocarbons. This breakthrough offers a glimmer of hope for developing effective strategies to combat the burgeoning global crisis of plastic pollution in the world’s oceans.
