Researchers discover plastic degrading bacteria from the guts of waxworms

摘要

Plastic is well-known for sticking around in the environment for years without breaking down, contributing significantly to litter and landfills. But scientists have now discovered that two bacterial strains (Enterobacter asburiae YT1 and Bacillus sp. YP1) from the guts of that waxworms, or Indian mealmoths (the larvae of Plodia interpunctella) are capable of degrading polyethylene films, the most common plastic. Reported in the ACS journal Environmental Science & Technology, the finding could lead to new ways to help get rid of the otherwise persistent waste, the scientists say.