A team of scientists from Norway and the United States have debunked previous studies suggesting the possibility of breaking down tough plastics using natural enzymes. The new research, published in Nature Communications , reveals that enzymes identified in 2022 as “Ceres” and others derived from microorganisms do not have the ability to break down polymers such as polyethylene .
Plastic-eating worms generate microplastics
Carbon-carbon based plastics, such as polyethylene , are extremely durable and recycling them without loss of quality remains a monumental challenge. According to recent data , 52 million tons of plastic products are dumped into the environment every year. This creates an environmental crisis that requires urgent and sustainable solutions.
In 2022, two studies promised progress in this area, reporting the ability of certain enzymes found in insects to degrade plastics. However, new experiments have refuted these claims . Researchers point out that methodological errors, such as contamination in the samples analyzed, led to incorrect conclusions in the original studies.
Although it was thought that enzymes could break down plastics such as polyethylene, the recent study reveals that these processes do not actually degrade plastic, but instead transform it into microplastics. This byproduct is even more harmful, as it is widely dispersed in the environment and poses serious risks to ecosystems and human health.
Possible solutions
The team, led by Professor Gustav Vaaje-Kolstad from the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU), not only identified the shortcomings in previous research, but is also working on new enzyme systems that could offer real solutions. According to Vaaje-Kolstad, one possible strategy is to design plastics that are easier to degrade by incorporating weaker chemical bonds that can be broken down under natural conditions.
Although this discovery represents a setback in initial expectations, scientific optimism remains. Efforts continue to develop technologies that allow sustainable and efficient recycling of resistant plastics.
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Source: Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU)
Photo: shutterstock
