Usually, it takes hundreds of years for plastic to break down naturally, but scientists from Germany have now discovered a highly efficient enzyme that degrades PET in record time. The discovery is being hailed as a gamechanger, considering the dire state of plastic pollution worldwide.

The enzyme, which has been called polyester hydrolase (PHL7), was recently found at a German cemetery, chewing off the compost.

The scientists from Leipzig University then took the enzyme to their lab, during which they found that the enzyme was able to decompose polyethylene terephthalate (PET) by 90% in less than 16 hours.

Notably, this isn’t the first plastic eater enzyme discovered. In 2016, a PET-guzzling enzyme called LLC was found at a recycling plant in Japan. It is considered to be a particularly effective "plastic eater."

But the German scientists found that the newly found PHL7 is at least two times faster than the LLC.

The findings have now been published in the scientific journal ‘ChemSusChem’.

“The enzyme discovered in Leipzig can make an important contribution to establishing alternative energy-saving plastic recycling processes," said microbiologist Wolfgang Zimmermann from Leipzig University in Germany, according to Sciencealert.

"The biocatalyst now developed in Leipzig has been shown to be highly effective in the rapid decomposition of used PET food packaging and is suitable for use in an environmentally friendly recycling process in which new plastic can be produced from the decomposition products."

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/impact-of-climate-change-rising-temperatures-could-cause-hours-of-sleep-loss-480890" hreflang="en">Impact of climate change: Rising temperatures could cause hours of sleep loss</a>

Moreover, the scientists found that PHL7 doesn't even require any pre-treatment to decompose plastics. It will eat plastic without grinding or melting.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/boeings-starliner-spaceship-docks-with-international-space-station-in-key-test-mission-480867" hreflang="en">Boeing's Starliner spaceship docks with International Space Station in key test mission</a>

"Thus, by employing powerful enzymes such as PHL7 it is possible to directly recycle post-consumer thermoform PET packaging in a closed-loop process with a low carbon footprint and without the use of petrochemicals, realizing a sustainable recycling process of an important PET plastic waste stream," the authors conclude.

(With inputs from agencies)

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

Usually, it takes hundreds of years for plastic to break down naturally, but scientists from Germany have now discovered a highly efficient enzyme that degrades PET in record time.

Usually, it takes hundreds of years for plastic to break down naturally, but scientists from Germany have now discovered a highly efficient enzyme that degrades PET in record time. The discovery is being hailed as a gamechanger, considering the dire state of plastic pollution worldwide. The enzyme, which has been called polyester hydrolase (PHL7), was recently found at a German cemetery, chewing off the compost. The scientists from Leipzig University then took the enzyme to their lab, during which they found that the enzyme was able to decompose polyethylene terephthalate (PET) by 90% in less than 16 hours. Notably, this isn’t the first plastic eater enzyme discovered. In 2016, a PET-guzzling enzyme called LLC was found at a recycling plant in Japan. It is considered to be a particularly effective "plastic eater." But the German scientists found that the newly found PHL7 is at least two times faster than the LLC. The findings have now been published in the scientific journal ‘ChemSusChem’. “The enzyme discovered in Leipzig can make an important contribution to establishing alternative energy-saving plastic recycling processes," said microbiologist Wolfgang Zimmermann from Leipzig University in Germany, according to Sciencealert. "The biocatalyst now developed in Leipzig has been shown to be highly effective in the rapid decomposition of used PET food packaging and is suitable for use in an environmentally friendly recycling process in which new plastic can be produced from the decomposition products." Also read | Impact of climate change: Rising temperatures could cause hours of sleep loss Moreover, the scientists found that PHL7 doesn't even require any pre-treatment to decompose plastics. It will eat plastic without grinding or melting. Also read | Boeing's Starliner spaceship docks with International Space Station in key test mission "Thus, by employing powerful enzymes such as PHL7 it is possible to directly recycle post-consumer thermoform PET packaging in a closed-loop process with a low carbon footprint and without the use of petrochemicals, realizing a sustainable recycling process of an important PET plastic waste stream," the authors conclude. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Scientists discover new enzyme that can chomp off plastic in record 16 hours

A group of scientists has created a “super-enzyme” that could, they hope, help to solve the world’s plastic problems.

The super-enzyme that eats plastic could be “a significant leap forward” in finding solutions to tackle the pollution crisis, scientists hope.

The enzyme is derived from bacteria that evolved the ability to eat plastic.

"Unlike natural degradation, which can take hundreds of years, the super-enzyme is able to convert the plastic back to its original materials, or building blocks, in just a few days," said Professor John McGeehan, director of the Centre for Enzyme Innovation (CEI) at the University of Portsmouth.

According to a study, the amount of plastic waste flowing into the ocean and killing marine life could triple in the next 20 years, unless companies and governments can drastically reduce plastic production.

China is the top source of plastic bottles, bags and other rubbish clogging up global sea lanes, according to the latest country-wise data available.

Around the world, one million plastic drinking bottles are purchased every minute, while up to 5 trillion single-use plastic bags are used worldwide every year. In total, half of all plastic produced is designed to be used only once — and then thrown away.

(With inputs from agencies)

A group of scientists has created a “super-enzyme” that could, they hope, help to solve the world’s plastic problems. The super-enzyme that eats plastic could be “a significant leap forward” in finding solutions to tackle the pollution crisis, scientists hope.

A group of scientists has created a “super-enzyme” that could, they hope, help to solve the world’s plastic problems. The super-enzyme that eats plastic could be “a significant leap forward” in finding solutions to tackle the pollution crisis, scientists hope. The enzyme is derived from bacteria that evolved the ability to eat plastic. "Unlike natural degradation, which can take hundreds of years, the super-enzyme is able to convert the plastic back to its original materials, or building blocks, in just a few days," said Professor John McGeehan, director of the Centre for Enzyme Innovation (CEI) at the University of Portsmouth. According to a study, the amount of plastic waste flowing into the ocean and killing marine life could triple in the next 20 years, unless companies and governments can drastically reduce plastic production. China is the top source of plastic bottles, bags and other rubbish clogging up global sea lanes, according to the latest country-wise data available. Around the world, one million plastic drinking bottles are purchased every minute, while up to 5 trillion single-use plastic bags are used worldwide every year. In total, half of all plastic produced is designed to be used only once — and then thrown away. (With inputs from agencies)

Enzyme eats plastic 6 times faster: Significant leap forward in pollution crisis

enzyme-eats-plastic

Enzyme Eats Plastic, News on Enzyme Eats Plastic, stories on Enzyme Eats Plastic, articles on Enzyme Eats Plastic, Enzyme Eats Plastic stories at Wion, Enzyme Eats Plastic news, Enzyme Eats Plastic latest news

enzyme eats-plastic

Scientists discover new enzyme that can chomp off plastic in record 16 hours

Enzyme eats plastic 6 times faster: Significant leap forward in pollution crisis