Plastic pollution is a global problem that needs collective action and a certain bacteria may hold the key to solving it. Meet the bacteria that can save the planet from the ever-growing plastic problem, Comamonas testosteroni, which can degrade plastic.
Since plastic has a high degree of durability, it does not decompose readily in the environment. This implies that plastic garbage may build up in the ecosystem over a lengthy period and harm the environment permanently.
Ecosystems and wildlife are harmed by plastic garbage. Many animals unknowingly consume plastic, which may injure, choke, and kill them.
Plastic trash can entangle and strangle marine species. By changing the water quality, soil fertility, and nutrient cycling, plastic pollution also disturbs natural ecosystems.
The present situation of how we handle plastics in the globe is rather bad, with approximately 380 million tonnes of plastic being used once and then thrown away. But with a plastic-eating bacterium in the arsenal, researchers may come up with solutions to assist raise the pitiful rate of plastic recycling that it is now at.
In addition to breaking down plastics, the chemicals in laundry detergent may also be broken down, according to the experts. They claim that the bacterium that consumes plastic is drawn to the carbon that these materials decompose into.
Comamonas testosteroni is a species of gram-negative bacteria that belongs to the family Comamonadaceae. It is a versatile bacterium that can survive in various environments, including soil, water, and even clinical settings.
C. testosteroni is known for its ability to degrade a wide range of organic compounds, including xenobiotics and hydrocarbons. This bacterium is capable of using testosterone as its sole source of carbon and energy, hence its name “testosteroni”.
As scientists meet the bacteria that can save the planet from the ever-growing plastic problem, they believe these bacteria can help reverse a lot of damage done to Earth with the help of large-scale recycling projects.
Source: Nature Chemical Biology