Researchers have made a breakthrough in producing biodegradable plastics using engineered E. coli bacteria, which could revolutionize the plastic industry. A study published in Nature Chemical Biology suggests that the bacterial system can produce plastics with desirable thermal and mechanical properties, using renewable resources.
Global plastic production has created over 400 million metric tons of plastic in 2022, mostly through petroleum-based chemical processes. However, scientists are exploring alternative methods to develop biodegradable alternatives that can be produced more sustainably.
The study’s authors developed a process to produce poly(ester amide) (PEA), using a combination of enzymes and amino acids produced by E. coli bacteria. They optimized the process by using glucose as a key ingredient, which resulted in the production of about 55 grams per liter of PEA in a large bioreactor.
The physical, thermal, and mechanical properties of the produced PEA were comparable to those of high-density polyethylene, one of the most widely used plastics. This indicates that PEAs could serve as a renewable alternative.
This method has several advantages over current chemical methods, including easy access to a wide range of PEAs and sustainable production of polymers. The study’s findings suggest that engineered E. coli bacteria may be an effective tool in developing biodegradable plastics.
Source: https://phys.org/news/2025-03-coli-biodegradable-plastics.html