NUNZIUM

The world produced a staggering 367 megatons of plastic in 2020, making the search for innovative and eco-friendly solutions to tackle plastic waste crucial. A recent study published in Frontiers in Microbiology discovered cold-adapted microbial strains from alpine and Arctic plastisphere environments capable of degrading biodegradable plastics at 15°C. This breakthrough could revolutionize recycling processes, reduce pollution and costs associated with conventional methods, and help preserve polymer quality.

Researchers from the Swiss Federal Institute WSL, led by Dr. Joel Rüthi, isolated 34 microbial strains from Greenland, Svalbard, and Switzerland. While none of the strains could break down conventional polyethylene (PE), 19 strains showed the ability to degrade dispersed polyester-polyurethane (PUR), 12 strains degraded ecovio®, and 5 strains degraded BI-OPL. The most promising strains were Neodevriesia and Lachnellula, which degraded all tested biodegradable plastic materials.

The microbial plastic degradation process was found to be influenced by the composition of the culturing medium, with different strains having different optimal conditions. Current industrial-scale enzymes used for plastic biodegradation work at temperatures above 30°C, making them costly and not carbon-neutral. However, the newly discovered microbes can digest plastic at lower temperatures, around 15°C, likely due to their ability to digest plant polymers.

The next challenge for scientists is to identify and optimize the plastic-degrading enzymes produced by these cold-adapted microbial strains. Researchers have not yet found the best temperature for using these microbes, but they seem to work well between 4°C and 20°C. Future research will focus on optimizing the process and modifying enzymes for protein stability.

In conclusion, the discovery of cold-adapted microbes capable of degrading biodegradable plastics at lower temperatures offers a promising new approach to tackling the global plastic waste problem. These Arctic and alpine strains could potentially reduce pollution and recycling costs while providing a more eco-friendly alternative to conventional recycling methods. As researchers continue to explore and optimize the potential of these microbes, we may be one step closer to a future where plastic waste is more efficiently managed and our environment is better protected.