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Researchers discover bacteria that “eat” plastic and could be key to combating environmental pollution. The Northwestern University study focused on the bacteria Comamonas testosteroni, found in wastewater, which is capable of breaking down common plastics such as PET.
Did you know that some wastewater bacteria can actually “eat” plastic? Well, yes! A recent study from Northwestern University revealed an incredible discovery: a family of bacteria called Comamonadaceae, found in environments such as urban rivers and wastewater treatment systems, is capable of degrading plastic and using it as food. These “plastic-eating bacteria” are opening up new possibilities for combating environmental pollution, especially the plastic pollution that affects our seas and rivers.
The study focused on the bacterium Comamonas testosteroni, which breaks down common plastics, such as PET (used in bottles and packaging), into tiny particles, turning the plastic into a carbon source that fuels its growth. Let’s take a closer look at how these wastewater bacteria are changing the way we view plastic waste and the positive impact they can have on nature.
How do these bacteria manage to eat plastic?
The first question that comes to mind is: how do these bacteria manage to “eat” plastic? Basically, the process is divided into three stages. First, the bacteria begin to fragment the plastic into very small pieces, known as nanoplastics. Then, they secrete a special enzyme, which can break down these particles even further. And what was plastic waste becomes food: the bacteria use the carbon atoms in the plastic to grow and reproduce.
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This discovery is a major step forward in the fight against environmental pollution. Researcher Ludmilla Aristilde, who led the study, explains that this ability of bacteria can be optimized to develop new environmental cleaning solutions. Just imagine: using these plastic-eating bacteria to clean up waste in places where it is difficult to remove plastic pollution!
The impact of plastic pollution and the importance of wastewater bacteria
Plastic pollution is one of the biggest environmental problems in the world. Plastics, especially PET, are extremely durable and virtually do not decompose in the environment. They account for around 12% of all plastic used globally, and up to 50% of the microplastics we find in wastewater are made from PET. This means that microplastics are abundant in water treatment systems and end up escaping into rivers and oceans, harming wildlife and, consequently, the ecosystem.
Wastewater bacteria play a key role in this process, as they can directly act to decompose this waste. As Aristilde explained, many of these nanoplastics do not arrive at treatment plants as small particles, but are formed during the water treatment process itself through bacterial activity. In other words, bacteria such as Comamonas testosteroni are, in fact, transforming the plastic into smaller pieces, which end up spreading throughout the environment.
How was the discovery made?
To understand how these wastewater bacteria interact with plastic, the team of Aristilde performed a series of experiments. They grew Comamonas bacteria on PET fragments, observing how the surface of the plastic changed over time. Using advanced microscopy techniques, they were able to see the plastic being fragmented into smaller and smaller pieces.
The researchers also analyzed the water surrounding the bacteria to confirm the presence of nanoplastics, which were formed as the bacteria chewed through the PET. Within the bacteria’s cells, the researchers identified enzymes responsible for this process. By neutralizing one of these enzymes, they found that the bacteria’s ability to degrade the plastic decreased dramatically, confirming the essential role of this protein.
The key to combating environmental pollution?
What does this discovery mean for the future of combating environmental pollution? It shows that it is possible to develop technologies based on bacteria that naturally help remove plastic waste from the environment. In the case of wastewater bacteria, we already know that they can transform PET plastics into carbon sources, which fuel their metabolism.
But what makes this bacteria a “natural ally” is the fact that it feeds on one of the most common pollutants in our society: plastic. If we can optimize the process, these plastic-eating bacteria could be efficiently applied to natural environments, such as rivers and lakes, helping to reduce the amount of waste that pollutes these waters.
Bacteria and biotechnology
Using bacteria to solve environmental problems is not new, but the study highlights the specific potential of Comamonas bacteria in the fight against plastic pollution. It opens the door to biotechnology in waste treatment, a field of research that could transform the way we clean our rivers and oceans.
Environmental engineering has been studying the possibility of creating cleaning systems based on living organisms for some time, which are cheaper and more sustainable than conventional waste removal methods. Imagine treatment plants that, in addition to filtering water, use bacteria to reduce the amount of plastic present in the system. With this, biotechnology applied to combating environmental pollution becomes an ally in building a more sustainable future.
A discovery that could change the planet
Combating plastic pollution is one of the world’s greatest challenges. Micro and nanoplastics have already found their way into our air, water and even the food we eat. The work of Aristilde’s team shows that bacteria could be a viable tool to tackle this problem.
If we invest in developing systems that use these wastewater bacteria, we could have a new way of “cleaning” plastics from the environment. Not only will we be reducing the impact of plastic pollution on our water, but we will also be promoting a natural and efficient recycling cycle. And best of all: all this without the use of harmful chemicals.
I'm completely ignorant on the subject.
My fear is that if this bacteria eats plastic, I fear what it could do to our organism, which is much more fragile than plastic.
Relax
It made me think about making enzymes from these bacteria, a simple thing, and using them to combat plastic. What's the advantage? A speed of 6 months to 3 hours, let's see.
Yes, it is very important to obtain biotechnology, it is the future. Because everything must return to Nature, this Generous Mother. We cannot create barriers, where Science advances.