Researchers have made significant progress in biologically producing plastics that can be easily broken down and recycled. A team of Korean scientists has engineered a bacterial strain capable of creating a useful polymer starting from glucose, a common sugar-based fuel source.
The breakthrough is based on an enzyme used by the bacteria when facing nutritional challenges. This enzyme, called PHA synthase, links together various small molecules to form polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), a type of biodegradable polyester. The remarkable aspect of this system is its flexibility, as it can incorporate over 150 different small molecules into PHAs.
The researchers’ achievement marks an important step towards reducing our reliance on fossil fuels-derived chemicals in plastic production. By harnessing the power of biology, scientists may be able to develop sustainable solutions for managing carbon surpluses and mitigating the environmental impact of plastics.
Source: https://arstechnica.com/science/2025/03/researchers-engineer-bacteria-to-produce-plastics