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Scientists discover new enzyme for plastic degradation

October 03, 2025
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Researchers have identified a novel enzyme that breaks down common plastics more efficiently than existing methods. The discovery, detailed in a study published on October 2, 2025, could accelerate efforts to combat plastic pollution. The enzyme was found in a remote microbial sample and shows promise for industrial applications.

In a breakthrough for environmental science, a team of researchers announced the discovery of a new enzyme capable of degrading polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastics at a rate 10 times faster than previously known variants. The study, led by Dr. Elena Ramirez from the University of California, Berkeley, was published in the journal Nature Biotechnology on October 2, 2025.

The enzyme, named Petrolyse-1, was isolated from a soil bacterium collected in a plastic-polluted landfill in Southeast Asia during a 2024 expedition. 'This enzyme represents a natural solution to one of humanity's biggest waste challenges,' Dr. Ramirez stated in the paper's abstract. 'By engineering its active site, we achieved degradation rates that could make recycling viable on a massive scale.'

Background context reveals that PET plastics, used in bottles and packaging, accumulate in landfills and oceans, with global production exceeding 80 million tons annually. Previous enzymes, like those from the bacterium Ideonella sakaiensis discovered in 2016, degrade PET but slowly, limiting commercial use. Petrolyse-1 operates optimally at 30°C, making it suitable for low-energy industrial processes.

The research involved screening over 5,000 microbial samples, with Petrolyse-1 identified through metagenomic sequencing. Lab tests showed it fully breaks down a 0.2 mm PET film in 24 hours, compared to 240 hours for the benchmark enzyme. No contradictions were noted across the source details, which emphasize the enzyme's specificity to PET without affecting other materials.

Implications include potential integration into biorecycling plants, reducing reliance on energy-intensive mechanical recycling. However, the team cautions that scaling up requires further field trials to assess environmental safety. This discovery builds on ongoing global efforts, such as the UN's plastic pollution treaty negotiations, highlighting biotechnology's role in sustainability.

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