AUSTIN, Texas — A “Pac-man”-like protein that eats plastic could open the door to eliminating billions of tons of landfill waste. Researchers at The University of Texas at Austin developed this special enzyme to destroy PET (polyethylene terephthalate) — a common substance manufacturers use in food and drink packaging, textiles, and fibers.
It is hoped that its creation will help reduce global pollution by allowing the complete recycling plastic waste. Major industries would now be able to reuse and recover products at the molecular levels.
Professor Hal Alper, in a revealing article, said that there are many industries that can benefit from this cutting-edge recycling process. University release.
This is not only a waste management industry but also gives corporations from all sectors the chance to recycle their products. These more sustainable enzymes can help us envision a circular plastics economy.
PET is responsible for 12 percent global waste. Like all plastics, it’s made up of long string-like molecules. The enzyme reduces them to smaller parts before chemical assembly. Plastics can take as little as 24 to 48 hours to completely break down. These products can live for hundreds of years in the seas.
AI finds the perfect plastic savor
Artificial intelligence (AI), also known as machine learning, has generated novel mutations in a natural enzyme called PETase. This enzyme allows bacteria to break down PET. It is portable and inexpensive because the computer neural network identified the most effective at 122 degrees Fahrenheit.
Prof. Alper and colleagues analyzed dozens of discarded plastic items including containers, water bottles, and polyester fibers and fabrics — all made using PET. FAST-PETase (functionally active, stable, and tolerable PETase) proved its effectiveness through experiments.
This work really demonstrates how powerful it is to bring together different disciplines, including synthetic biology, chemical engineering and artificial intelligence, says Prof. Andrew Ellington, coauthor.
The world produced 367 million tonnes of plastic in 2020. Only ten percent of plastics were recycled. Plastic wrappers and plastic bottles litter beaches regularly. Studies show that plastic waste ends up in the bodies and mouths of fish and other aquatic animals, such as turtles.
Burning plastic is the second most popular method of disposing of this material after it has been sent to landfills. However, it’s costly and also spews noxious gas into the air. Alternative industrial processes are just the same energy-intensive but require much less effort.
The study authors point out that they are increasing production of the enzyme to prepare it for industrial applications and environmental uses. The Texas team filed a patent. They plan to use the enzyme in a variety of ways, including to clean up landfills and make high-waste-producing industries more environmentally-friendly.
Enzymes that are able to work in the environment at ambient temperatures are essential for environmental cleanup applications. Prof. Alper concludes, “This is where our tech has an enormous advantage in future.”
The journal publishes the findings. Nature.
This report was contributed by Mark Waghorn, South West News Service.