Engineered bacteria produce sustainable plastics from glucose

Researchers in South Korea have made a breakthrough in sustainable plastic production using engineered bacteria. Their work aims to address the environmental issues caused by traditional plastic manufacturing and disposal. Plastics are often made from chemicals that come from fossil fuels. This process contributes to pollution and reliance on non-renewable resources. Additionally, many plastics do not break down easily, leading to waste problems. The new research focuses on bacteria that can produce a type of biodegradable plastic called polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs). These plastics can be created using only glucose as a fuel source. The researchers modified a bacterial strain to enhance its ability to create PHAs, which occur when bacteria have excess carbon but lack other nutrients. This bacterial system links small carbon molecules into larger polymer chains. This ability allows the bacteria to store energy efficiently. When more nutrients become available, the bacteria can break down these polymers to use the molecules again. The method developed by the researchers is versatile, able to incorporate over 150 different small molecules into the PHAs. The only requirements for the molecules are that they can form ester bonds and connect with a specific chemical used in the bacteria's metabolism. This advancement may pave the way for greener plastic production, reducing the reliance on fossil fuels and addressing waste management challenges.