Microbe that can break down plastic discovered in cow's stomach

Mito

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Dec 10, 2016
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“As part of their normal herbivore diet, cows eat something called cutin, a natural polyester produced by plants to protect the walls of the plant cells. Bacteria in the cow's stomach produces enzymes that break apart the chemical bonds in this polyester and, scientists have discovered, can break apart the bonds in synthetic polyesters too. The research, published in the journal Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology, found that the microbes can digest polyethylene terephthalate (PET), used in plastic bottles, as well as other plastics.”
 

Don

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Sep 12, 2020
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amazing. I always felt there had to be something like this out there, as there are bacteria that eat or breakdown oil, and we all know where plastic comes from.
 

mariantos

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Apr 7, 2021
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Very interesting.

Microorganisms are formidable and so little is known about them.
Their role in the circuit of elements in nature is major, indisputable.
 

lvysaur

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Mar 15, 2014
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2013: ruminants detox PUFA
2021: ruminants detox plastic
 
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May 21, 2015
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cool. there's also fungi that break down plastics

ultimately everything is a part of nature and will be recycled - our job is to find ways to be as energy-efficient as we can and not overburden this cycle with our foolish ways so that things won't flow in harmony. i think we should keep this in mind in everything we do. unfortunately people tend to evaluate their impact and their personal value more based on cultural false idols than the practical reality of nature
 

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